If you live in Wisconsin Dells, you know that winters here are long and arduous, but winter doesn’t have to be all dark, gloomy, and depressing. There are a ton of fun ways to enjoy the winter wonderland while it’s here, particularly with some outdoor winter-sport activities! Wisconsin is a lovely place during the winter, get out and enjoy it!

If you’re looking to get out of the house this winter and experience some winter sports activities, here’s a list of some of our favorite winter-sport locations and activities. Paired with some fantastic deals for upcoming events this 2020, these are all worth checking out!

1) Cascade Mountain

Only about 20 minutes from the Dells, Cascade Mountain is one of the cheapest skiing and snowboarding mountains in Wisconsin. The mountain has 11 lifts leading to 47 unique trails enjoyable for both skiers and snowboarders. With an average annual natural snowfall between 50-56 inches every season, you can expect to find trails catering to whatever your heart desires, whether it be a field of powdery snow or a nicely groomed trail. Cascade maintains a generous division of difficulty among the trails, providing a pleasant balance for people of any skill level. They’ve even narrowed down the difficulty division with precise numbers: “38% beginner runs, 24% intermediate runs, and 38% advanced runs.” There’s also a terrain park with its own dedicated lift for those interested in honing their tricks and rail-grinding skills.

Another great thing about Cascade is its transparency when it comes to lodging. They do provide some accommodations at the mountain, but since they’re so close to the Dells, they also recommend some great nearby hotels and other lodgings. Aside from lodging, there’s plenty of options for food and drinks while you’re on the slopes. The Peak Lodge offers a variety of food (burgers, fries, drinks, etc.), and the Peak Bar offers delicious brews suitable for any time. If you prefer a stunning view while enjoying your food and beverages, there is also a small cafe and bar at the top of the mountain, the Daisy.

The tickets to the mountain are already quite cheap for what they’re offering, but they have plenty of sales and discounts for special events and holidays! Kids under 12 always ski for free with an adult, beginners get a special discount on lessons and ticket prices, and they offer group rate discounts. Cascade Mountain is a blast for winter sports enthusiasts of any age or skill. They’re located on Interstate 90/94 at exit 106! Their hours of operation are 10 am – 9 pm Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 9 am – 9 pm on Sundays.

2) Wilmot Mountain

Another great skiing and snowboarding mountain worth checking out is Wilmot Mountain. The mountain has been open since 1938 and has 120 skiable acres, 23 trails, and 7 lifts. The trails range in difficulty, but whether you’re a beginner or advanced, there’s something for everyone. There’s a terrain park with a dedicated tow-rope lift and “enough terrain to challenge experts to beginners, day or night.” They also have an area dedicated to tubing, with 22 lanes and two surface conveyor lifts. In the past few years, Wilmot has made significant upgrades to its equipment, lodging, and terrain park. They’ve also built a separate children’s center right next to the beginner area, which serves as a play and lunch area for kids.

Wilmot Mountain often has a variety of special promotions to look out for. For 2020, they have a “3 lift tickets for the price of 2” deal ongoing throughout the season (over $60 in savings). For those more interested in some casual tubing, they also offer $10 off ticket pricing for a purchase of a regular mountain ticket. Wilmot also hosts a variety of events and holidays with special promotional pricing, so be sure to keep an on their promotions page! Their operating hours are Monday through Friday: 10 am to 10 pm, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays: 9 am – 10 pm.

3) Snowmobiling

Despite the fantastic snowmobiling trails around Wisconsin Dells, there are surprisingly no snowmobile or ATV rental shops available here. So, unless you do have some toys already or plan on getting some, you can skip over this section!

If you own some snowmobiles or ATV’s and are looking for a great place to take them for a spin, you have a veritable smorgasbord of fantastic and safe trails to choose from. The four counties in the Dells, Adams, Columbia, Juneau, and Sauk, each offer a ton of trails for snowmobilers. Adams County has over 200 miles of well-marked trails that are safe for snowmobiles or ATV’s. Columbia has its own club of people who keep track of trail conditions around the county, the Association of Snowmobile Clubs. Juneau offers even more snowmobile trails—over 240 miles worth! To top it all off, Sauk provides another 220 miles of trails. All trail maps and conditions are available at each county’s respective Parks department or Snowmobile Clubs website!

4) Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is an excellent winter-sport option for those looking for a more challenging and body-testing experience. It provides a near full-body workout, so it can also double as a winter workout routine. According to hundreds of people who have already experienced it, Mirror Lake State Park is an optimal place for some cross-country skiing. There are dozens of trails ranging from 1.5 miles in length up to 24 miles, with plenty of options for beginners and advanced skiers. The trails are maintained by the Wisconsin State Park System, which also provides regular updates on the conditions of all of the park’s trails.

While access to the trails is entirely free, you will need some of your own equipment or rental equipment! Vertical Illusions, an outdoor activities rental and equipment shop, offer great deals on cross-country skis and snowshoes. Their cross-country ski rentals are only $25 a day, and that includes boots and poles as well. If you’re a beginner interested in the sport, they also offer skiing lessons!

2020 Winter Sports in the Dells

Overall, Wisconsin Dells is a great place to live if you’re a winter sports enthusiast. From skiing and snowboarding to snowmobiling and ATV off-roading, there are veritable mountains of things to do here! Best of all, these winter activities are reasonably priced (especially if you take advantage of special discounts and promotions). What’s better than fun winter sports at affordable prices?

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