With the winter weather wreaking havoc on our community and the sun setting before you’re even done with work, it can be hard to pick yourself up out of the dumps. It is completely normal to feel a little under the weather this time of year, but here’s the good news! We live in the Coulee Region-a beautiful area that offers outdoor activities no matter what the season.  We’re providing a list of area activities-where to go and what to do.  And maybe it’s time to try out a new outdoor activity for you and your family. We’ve listed area schools and businesses that offer rentals, so you can try something out, but not spend the money on equipment right away.  So, keep reading-There really is SNOW much to do out there! 

No matter the weather, it is SO important to remain active. Science shows that participating in fun activities that stimulate both our brain and our bodies is extremely beneficial to our overall health. Being active in the winter increases our endurance because our heart doesn’t work as hard due to the colder temperatures. You may also burn double the fat that you would during a normal-temperature workout, and it can help you soak up your daily dose of Vitamin D which helps to prevent the mood disorder, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It is recommended that you get 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily to prevent these negative health effects from occurring.   

Below is a list of businesses where you can rent your equipment from:

• UW La Crosse – Rent Outdoor Gear – Rec Sports | UW-La Crosse (uwlax.edu) – Cross country skis, snowshoes, air boards, fat tire bikes, hiking crampons, sleds, toboggans, and ice skates. 
• Northland Golf and Ski – The Ski Shop | NORTHLAND GOLF & SKI | Lacrosse, WI (northlandgolfandski.com) – Cross country skis 
• Island Outdoors – French Island – Winter Rentals | Island Outdoors | La Crosse | 54603 – Snowshoes 
• Winona State University Outdoor Education and Recreation Center – Equipment Rentals – Winona State University – Snowshoes/Ice climbing 
• River Trails Cycles – Rentals | River Trail Cycles | Onalaska, WI – Snowshoes  

Here are some websites to help you map out the trails in the area:

• Winter in La Crosse, WI – ExploreLaCrosse 
• Winter Sports in La Crosse, WI – ExploreLaCrosse 
• Cross Country Skiing Trails near La Crosse – Find Cross Country Skiing Trails near La Crosse WI (stepoutside.org) 
• Parks, Recreation & Forestry | La Crosse, WI (cityoflacrosse.org) 
• Trails in La Crosse, WI (oratrails.org) 

If you’re looking for some fun winter activities, consider these options:  

Sledding:
Van Riper Park in Onalaska
Deer Wood Park in Holmen
St. Mary’s College in Winona  

Downhill skiing/Snowboarding and tubing:
Mt. La Crosse – Downhill skiing and snow boarding
Whitetail Ridge Ski Area – Fort McCoy – Tubing, downhill skiing, and snow boarding 

Cross Country Skiing: – Check with your local golf course!
Veteran’s Memorial Park – in between Onalaska and West Salem
Hixon Forest
La Crosse River State Trail
Great River Bluffs State Park (MN)
Goose Island Park and Campground
Whitetail Ridge Ski Area – Fort McCoy
Perrot State Park – Trempealeau
Merrick State Park – Fountain City
Coulee Experimental State Forest -Bangor 

*La Crosse River State Trail links to Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Great River State Trail (in Onalaska and Trempealeau), and the Elroy-Sparta State Trail! 

Hiking:
Grandad Bluff
Hixon Forest 

Snowshoeing: “If you can walk, you can snowshoe”
Check with your local golf course!
Goose Island Park and Campground
Hixon
Island Outdoors  

****Check out the La Crosse District’s visitor’s center in Brice Prairie for over 2 miles of walking trails, open to snowshoers in the winter months**** 

Fat Tire Biking: 
Upper and Lower Hixon
Perrot State Park 

Ice Skating Rinks: 

Indoor: 
Omni Center/Green Island Ice Arena
La Crescent Community Ice Arena – La Crescent, MN 
Bud King Ice Arena – Winona, MN  

Outdoor: 
Deer Wood Park Ice Rink in Holmen
Lions Community Shelter Rink in West Salem
Island Outdoors on French Island
Riverside Park, Poage Park, Copeland Park Oktoberfest Shelter 
Bud King Ice Arena in Winona, MN