Photo courtesy Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Although summer is probably the first season you think of when you imagine spending time outdoors in the Geneva Lake area, there are lots of fun ways to get outside in the winter, too. Whether you live here year-round or you’re planning a winter getaway, you’ll find plenty of fun activities to keep you busy, from downhill skiing and snowboarding, to sledding and cross-country skiing. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways to get outside and have fun in the snow:
Sledding
Thanks to the glacial activity that created the Geneva Lake area, there are lots of great hills around Walworth County. Grab your favorite sleds and head to the Rudy Lange Sledding Hill, a 1.4-acre hill in Delavan that’s perfect for fast rides and sledding fun. In Lake Geneva, try the Lake Geneva Sledding Hill, near the intersection of Sage and Mill Streets, where a former railroad bed helps create an extra downhill thrill. Or drive over to Darien’s Wildwood Park to take advantage of the newly completed sledding hill there.
Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding
The Geneva Lake area is lucky to have several local ski hills to entertain beginners or lifelong skiers alike. Lake Geneva’s Grand Geneva Resort & Spa maintains The Mountaintop, where skiers can take advantage of 20 downhill ski runs and a 6-acre terrain park, then relax in the Leinenkugel’s Mountain Top Lounge. At Elkhorn’s Alpine Valley Resort, take advantage of over 100 skiable acres, with 20 runs that range from beginner to expert (the longest run is 3,000 feet), as well as three terrain parks. Or drive over to Wilmot Mountain, a Vail Resorts-owned ski area with newly updated chairlifts and amenities. They even offer a dedicated snow tubing hill!
Snowshoeing
When there is more than 3-4” of snow on the ground, you can see the beautiful terrain in the area by snowshoeing. Need to rent snowshoes? Head down to the Williams Bay Rec Department between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays or try Clear Water Outdoor in Lake Geneva. If you have your own snowshoes, there are plenty of great places to use them. Head to Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva, or Fontana’s Duck Pond Recreation Area.
Cross-Country Skiing
Walworth County is a wonderful place for cross-country skiing, with lots of trail options. If you’re a beginner, stick to groomed trails specifically dedicated for cross-country skiers, like the Nordic Trails in Kettle Moraine Southern Unit in LaGrange or the McMiller Ski Trail System (also part of the Kettle Moraine system) in Eagle. Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva also maintains 5 miles of groomed cross-country trails. For more adventurous cross-country skiers, check out the White River Trail between Lake Geneva and Burlington.
Whatever outdoor winter activity you decide to do, the best way to finish the day is to find a warm fire and a hot beverage. May we suggest a hot cocoa, mulled wine or hot toddy?
PS – for more winter fun, check out our ice skating guide, our winter dining guide and our round-up of coffee shops.
