The Winter Season

In the La Crosse Region

The La Crosse Region has plenty of activities to keep you warm! Ski, fish, snowmobile, snowshoe and more - bundle up for some serious winter fun!

Don’t Let the Cold Keep You Indoors!

There’s snow much to do on a winter’s day in the La Crosse Region that you won’t have time to even think about being cold. An action-packed day of skiing, shopping, snowmobiling, and more will be more than enough to keep the whole family warm and happy from morning till night (just remember to take plenty of hot chocolate breaks along the way).

Downhill & Cross-Country Skiing

Start your day off right and slide into some fun while skiing! Hit the slopes at Mount La Crosse, the area’s most popular Alpine skiing destination. With runs designed for every experience level, from beginner to pro, there’s no better way for family and friends to spend a day enjoying the snow. Don’t forget to warm up in their lodge’s St. Bernard Room! With each wall adorned in St. Bernard art of all kinds, it is a memorable ambiance to enjoy a beer, bite, or classic hot cocoa.

Are skinny skis more your speed? You can explore the region on any of the area’s numerous cross-country trails, including the popular trails at Veteran’s Memorial Park, Hixon Forest, and the La Crosse River State Trail.

Hiking & Fat Tire Biking

Special to the La Crosse Region with our epic bluffs and vistas are the miles and miles of trails to hike and fat-tire-bike! Grandad Bluff, a La Crosse gem, also built miles of new trails recently! If you haven’t hiked the area before Grandad’s new trails and renowned Hixon Forest are ideal spots to start leaving your mark! For more trail opportunities, click HERE!

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is next to none in the La Crosse Region – the bite is real! As Lake Onalaska and the many waterways freeze over, you can catch a wide range of fish; from bluegill to bass and walleye, the pan-fishing is some of the best all year.
Before you hit the ice, make sure to check up on safety tips and prepare accordingly. Need some new equipment? Check out Island Outdoors!

Warm Up with a Brew

Whether you want to warm up downtown at Turtle Stack Brewery or venture to North La Crosse at Pearl Street Brewery, the La Crosse Region is bursting with 4 breweries and a distillery that each offer a unique ambiance and flavors to warm you up from the inside out. Looking for a full listing? Check out our Coulee Region Craft Beverage Trail and start checking the legendary craft beverage destinations off your bucket list!

Snowmobiling

Experience the freedom of the trails! The La Crosse area features over 650 miles of interconnected, well-groomed trails, with seven different snowmobiling clubs welcoming visitors to the area. Pick up a map at the Explore La Crosse Visitor Center at 123 7th Street in La Crosse! More info is available at laxsnowmobile.org.

Rotary Holiday Lights

There’s no better way to end the day than by taking in one of the holiday season’s biggest attractions. Every year from the day after Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, the Rotary Holiday Lights turn Riverside Park into a magical winter wonderland. With over 3 million lights on display, and growing every year, this La Crosse tradition is truly a spectacle. Typical events and attractions include the Rotary Lights parade, live music, hay and carriage rides, the 5k Ugly Sweater Run, live reindeer, and much more – though these may be subject to change with social distancing. Admission is free; non-perishable food items and/or cash donations are encouraged…MORE

Award-Winning Winter Hideaways

If a getaway is what you’re craving, check out these cozy, award-winning hideaways to explore winter wonderlands, enjoy savory food and wine, and snuggle up by a fire – warming yourself from the inside out!

Winter Fishing: Dos and Don’ts

Spring and summer are prime times for anglers to cast off and catch a variety of fish. But fishing in the winter is just as rewarding in the La Crosse Region!