It’s January in Madison, and as the saying goes, “If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” Unless you’re heading to warmer climes, the best way to handle a Wisconsin winter is to face it head on, get out there and enjoy a fun cold-weather activity.
On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin chats with Ashley Pettay, content manager of Destination Madison, about all the winter activities you can try in Madison right now, from sledding at Elver Park to ice skating at the Tenney Park lagoon to snowshoeing at Cherokee Marsh.
Here’s a few fun things to do this winter. Bundle up and check them out.
Sledding
When my kids were younger, our favorite hill to go sledding at was the one near Cherokee Heights Middle School on Midvale Boulevard. But there are a ton of great hills to break out the toboggan, whether it’s tackling the biggest hill in town at Elver Park or a picturesque location like Chicory Meadow Park in Fitchburg.
Skating
There’s no shortage of places to go ice skating in Madison. The city operates 20 free rinks around town (check ahead of time to make sure they’re open). Don’t have a pair of skates? You can rent ice skates at Door Creek, Elver, Tenney and Vilas rinks, and you can get loaner skates for free at Olbrich, Rennebohm, Warner and Westmorland Parks.
Ice Fishing
Want to get out on the ice? Ice fishing is a popular activity around town, but you want to prepare in advance. Check out conditions ahead of time to make sure the ice is thick enough, and get a Lake Access permit if you’re planning to go to Upper Mud Lake or any of the other county-owned lakes.
Finally, give a listen to our interview with Pat Hasburgh, owner of D&S Bait, Tackle, & Fly Shop, about the best places in town to catch a fish.
Snowshoeing
A great way to enjoy the silent beauty of a Wisconsin winter is to get a pair of snowshoes and enjoy Madison parks. Cherokee Marsh South, Door Creek Park and Elver Park all have designated trails, or you can go off-trail in approved areas with enough snow cover. Door Creek, Elver and Vilas Parks all offer snowshoe rentals.
Cross Country Skiing
Another quiet way to enjoy the winter is cross country skiing. It’s free at Cherokee Marsh, but you need to buy a permit to ski at Door Creek, Elver and Odana Hills Park ($8 per day/$30 a year). You can also rent skis at those parks.
A number of Door County parks also allow cross country skiing, including Indian Lake County Park, Token Creek County Park, and Lake Farm County Park. And if you’re not on a pair of skis, stay off the cross-country trails!
Downhill Skiing
If you have the need for speed, head out of town to Tyrol Basin near Mt. Horeb, Cascade Mountain near Portage or Alpine Valley near Elkhorn for some downhill skiing.
