Temperatures are dropping and the snow has started to fall, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to head indoors! Madison offers many exciting outdoor winter activities that are fun for the whole family and are COVID friendly. Just remember to dress warm!
Holiday Lights Displays
Who doesn’t love looking at holiday lights? They are colorful, beautiful, and bring a smile to your face. Many people started putting up lights and decorations weeks before Thanksgiving as it brings people joy in these hard times. As more lights are being put up outside, it’s the perfect night time activity. Drive through the Holiday Fantasy in Lights display at Olin Park for a magical experience. It’s also fun to simply drive around different neighborhoods to see who has the best display. Grab some hot chocolate and cookies to make the experience all the better.
Hiking and Snowshoeing
Not many people think hiking in the cold is their idea of fun, but as the common saying goes, “don’t knock it till you try it.” The Madison area has great hiking trails that are open all year round. People travel all over Wisconsin for the popular trails throughout the state. If you decide to go when there’s snow, don’t forget to wear winter boots or try a pair of snowshoes.
Sledding
Nothing is better for most kids than waking up to a snow day and going sledding with your friends. Even as a grown adult, sledding is a great activity, just be careful!. Gather a few friends or family members (stay COVID safe) and head to a sledding hill. Just in the Madison area, there are 10 hills to choose from!
Snowboarding/Skiing
2020 is the year of trying new things, so why not add another activity to the list. Snowboarding and skiing are great ways to get outside and enjoy the snow. With Tyrol Basin, Cascade Mountain, and Devil’s Head all within an hour of Madison, it makes for the perfect day trip. You can be a beginner or a pro, as the slopes have all levels of difficulties and you can rent equipment if you don’t have your own.
Don’t let this strange year keep you stuck indoors all winter. Try any of these activities to get some fresh air and enjoy the winter season with the family or a few friends. Stay safe!
We know many of you are busy buying Holiday gifts. And some of you haven’t even started yet. We have some terrific local options to help ease your gift buying experience. This list is created for people in and around Dane County, WI. If you’re reading this and you’re not in this area, we hope that you do a little Google search and find some great local options for you. 
