From roughly Thanksgiving into April, the Midwest usually wallows in snow and ice. But rather than complain about the weather, people in many places embrace winter with festivals highlighting everything from snow golf to ice sculpture.
Here’s where to find some of the hottest activities during the big chill. Our list doesn’t include them all. If these don’t work for you, you’re sure to find another nearby.
Lake Geneva, Wis.
If you’re in the mood for: Professional snow-sculpting competition
When: Feb. 3-7
What they’re doing: During the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition, you’ll be able to watch pros create huge snow sculptures in every shape imaginable — and you can cast your vote for the best sculptures. There also will be helicopter rides, magic shows and other activities for every age.
While you’re there: Try sledding or snowboarding at Big Foot Beach State Park (1550 S. Lake Shore Drive, www.wiparks.net), where there’s a hill near the park maintenance shop. Alternatively, you could sled down the Lake Geneva sledding hill near the old railroad bridge by the parking lot at the intersection of Sage and Mill streets 4 to 10 p.m. daily. If you want a break from the cold, book a spa treatment at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa (7036 Grand Geneva Way, www.grandgeneva.com). After you’ve thawed out post-spa, go ice-skating or sledding at the resort, and sip some hot chocolate, which is complimentary with your skate rental.
Details: www.lakegenevawi.com, www.usnationals.org, or call 262-248-4416
Breezy Point, Minn.
If you’re in the mood for: High-speed ice adventure
When: Jan. 8-10
What they’re doing: The three-day Annual Ice Fest features plenty of entertainment for kids and adults on and off the ice. This includes snowmobile timed runs reaching 165 mph, an ice-skating exhibition, pond-hockey tournaments, bonfires, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog-sled rides, ice-fishing and snow golf. Most of the events take place at Breezy Point Resort (9252 Breezy Point Drive, 800-432-3777, www.breezypointresort.com), but you don’t need to stay at the resort to partake in the activities.
While you’re there: The town has its own team in the North American Tier III Hockey League, the Breezy Point North Stars, so you can take in a game. You also could go cross-country skiing at the Breezy Point and Whitebirch ski trails (check out www.brainerd.com for directions to the trails).
Details: www.breezypointresort.com, 800-432-3777
Eau Claire, Wis.
If you’re in the mood for: Ski jumping
When: Jan. 15-16
What they’re doing: The Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined North American Championships take place there every year, and you can view two days of ski-jumping competitions. This year is the 130th anniversary of the event, so there will be a bonfire, live music (the performer is to be announced) and a coloring tent for kids, among other things in the works.
While you’re there: Go ice skating at the Hobbs Municipal Ice Center (915 Menomonie St., 715-839-5040, www.ci.eau-claire.wi.us), or learn more about the Chippewa Valley and the larger story of America at the Chippewa Valley Museum (1204 E. Half Moon Drive, 715-834-7871, www.cvmuseum.com). In the evening, listen to the Chippewa Valley Symphony, which has about 65 musicians.
Details: www.travelwisconsin.com
Fish Creek, Wis.
If you’re in the mood for: Letting loose and going a little crazy in the snow
When: Feb. 5-7
What they’re doing: During Fish Creek’s Winter Festival, you can do a toilet-seat toss, try a pie-tin toss (throw pie tins through a bean bag setup), watch ice-sculpture carving demonstrations, compete in a chili cook-off, do a Froot Loops run (it’s about 1/8th of a mile followed by a Froot Loops breakfast of champions) or compete in an ugly-sweater contest or in a Stumpf fiddle contest (it’s an upper Midwest instrument made of a walking stick on top of which are pie tins, bells or anything that can make noise — and these are pounded) and participate in a snowshoe dance competition (a DJ plays music, and people in snowshoes dance). The entire three-day event is capped off with fireworks.
While you’re there: Winter in Door County is packed with things to do for everyone in the family. Do a wine tasting at the Orchard Country Winery & Market (9197 State Highway 42, 920-868-3479, www.orchardcountry.com), or check out the Edgewood Orchard Galleries (4140 Peninsula Players Road, 920-868-3579) to see original paintings and other types of artwork. But snow bunnies also will have many places to explore, because Peninsula State Park is ideal for sledding and tubing.
Details: http://tinyurl.com/fishcreekfest
Hancock, Mich.
If you’re in the mood: for A Finnish cultural winter celebration
When: Jan. 30
What they’re doing: In 1999, a small group of Finnish-Americans created a new holiday to celebrate the midpoint of winter, and they call it Heikinpaiva, named for St. Henrik, or Heikki. “We figured that if we made up a new holiday, we could do whatever we wanted,” said Jim Kurtti, director of the Finnish American Heritage Center at Finlandia University in Hancock. “Two years ago, we got almost 400 inches of snow. We either have to enjoy winter, or we’ll go crazy.” They try to incorporate a few aspects of learning into the festival, so they have some cooking classes, crafts, games, a parade, a polar bear dive and a banquet, and they sell handmade and homemade Finnish and Nordic items.
While you’re here: Ski down Mont Ripley Ski Hill, which is less than a mile east of Hancock, or go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on Maasto Hiihto Ski Trail or the Churning Rapids Ski Trail, which have about 25 kilometers of groomed trails.
Details: 906-482-0248, www.finnishamericanreporter.com/heikinpaiva
Clear Lake, Iowa
If you’re in the mood for: Flying a kite
When: Feb. 20
What they’re doing: This tiny town takes advantage of the heavy winter winds and throws a massive kite festival, which draws about 6,500 people to this city of 8,000. Serious kite hobbyists drive or fly from at least eight states to put stunt kites to music, while visitors can get in on the fun by flying their own kites more casually or shopping for kites during the daylong event.
While you’re there: Buddy Holly’s plane crashed on a field in Clear Lake — and there’s a small memorial in that field. It’s about 5 miles from the Surf Ballroom, where he and other musicians performed the night before they died (460 N. Shore Drive, Clear Lake, 641-357-6151, www.surfballroom.com). Ask for directions to the memorial from the ballroom.
Details: www.colorthewind.org
Danielle Braff is a freelance reporter.
