School’s Out for Winter

Come Dec. 22, students will be closing their books, turning in their final papers and hightailing it away from campus to enjoy a well-deserved winter break. For four glorious weeks, students will be itching to get outside and enjoy what winter in Wisconsin has to offer.

If you’re still unsure of how to make the best out of the break, take a look at some of the activities and events going on in Wisconsin, from local to statewide, traditional to adventurous.

Skiing and Snowshoeing at Standing Rocks Park

Standing Rocks County Park and Winter Recreation Area in Stevens Point offers 10 miles of trails for skiers and snowshoes throughout the 524-acre park.

Adult daily trail passes for skiers are available for $8, season passes are available for $50 and equipment rental is $12. Daily passes for the snowshoe trails are $4 if you have your own equipment or $10 to also rent equipment. Season passes for snowshoers are $30.

The park’s ski lodge is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding at Granite Peak Ski Area

For a faster-paced time in the snow, the Granite Peak Ski Area in Wausau offers downhill skiing and snowboarding.

Rib Mountain features 74 runs for you to hit the slopes. Equipment rentals are available. Ticket prices vary; visit skigranitepeak.com for tickets, specials and events.

Ice Skating in Stevens Point

Ice skating is a time-honored winter sport, the earliest skates dating back to the ninth century in Sweden. There are several free locations to strap on your skates right here in Stevens Point.

The city of Stevens Point outdoor skating rinks are open the second week of December and are lit until 9 p.m. Find rinks at Georke Park and Iverson Park.

Winter Fest in Wausau

Downtown Wausau will be putting on its fourth annual Winter Fest on Friday, Jan. 27.

The festival offers a variety of free events including horse-drawn carriage rides, a snow slide, ice sculptures, cookie decorating and ice skating. All events will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Winter Snowshoe Walk at Monk Botanical Gardens in Wausau

The Monk Botanical Gardens is hosting a candlelit walk on Friday, Dec. 30 from 6-8 p.m.

The event is free, but a $2 donation is recommended for the rental of snowshoes. A limited number of snowshoes will be available, so bringing your own is also recommended.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves in Bayfield

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is home to a series of sea caves that freeze into spectacular ice caves in the winter.

The accessibility to the ice caves varies with weather conditions. Visit the Lakeshore’s Facebook @apostleislandsnationallakeshore for the most up-to-date information.

Passes are $5 per day per person and are available at the Park Headquarters at 415 Washington Ave. in Bayfield.

WPS Garden of Lights at the Green Bay Botanical Garden

This holiday season will be the twentieth annual Garden of Lights in the Green Bay Botanical Garden.

Choose from walking or horse-drawn wagon tours through the display of over 250,000 twinkling lights. Warm up with refreshments at Winterberry Café or by the campfire.

Tickets are available online or at the door. For adults, walking tours are $9 each and horse-drawn wagon tours are $14 each.

The Garden of Lights will be open from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 through Sunday, Dec. 18 and Monday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 30.

Polar Bear Plunge in Waupaca

There will be a polar bear plunge into the Chain o’ Lakes’ Lime Kiln Lake in Waupaca at 1 p.m. on Jan 1.

Registration is $5 and opens at 10 a.m. on the day of the event. Commemorative long-sleeve t-shirts will also be available for purchase.

All proceeds benefit the Waupaca Fire Department to fund equipment updates.

With so many activities available during the holidays, it is difficult to choose just what to do with our much-needed free time.

 

Kathryn Wisniewski

Reporter

kathryn.e.wisniewski@uwsp.edu