2026 Northeast Wisconsin Winter Adventures Guide: Ski, Skate, Sled, Fish And Explore The Outdoors This Season
Winter in Northeastern Wisconsin tends to bring us indoors. But, Northeastern Wisconsin is home to many great outdoor winter activities. Gather the family, invite a friend or try something new on your own. Find your next winter adventure in our 2026 Northeast Wisconsin Winter Adventures Guide at these local hills, lakes, rivers, trails and rinks where you can ski, skate, sled, fish and explore the outdoors this season!
Winter activities and trail availability are weather-dependent. Please check websites or contact locations for complete details, current conditions, hours and openings before heading out.
Explore the our 2026 Northeast Wisconsin Winter Adventures Guide
DOWNHILL SKIING, SNOWBOARDING & SNOW TUBING
DEDICATED SKI & TUBING DESTINATIONS
Triangle Sports Area // Green Bay
Downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Two small ski/snowboard hills, ~80-foot tubing hill, and heated chalet.
Ariens Hill & Skate Rink // Green Bay
Three tubing lanes.
Calumet County Park // Hilbert
Snow tubing hill with a tow system. Also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and access to Lake Winnebago for ice fishing.
Kewaunee Winter Park // Kewaunee
Snow tubing, skiing, and snowboarding.
Family-friendly hill with a conveyor lift and warming chalet. A good destination for beginners and families looking for an affordable winter outing.
SKI RESORTS
Nordic Mountain // Wild Rose
Downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Beginner-friendly terrain.
Sunburst Ski Area // Kewaskum
Downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
Little Switzerland Ski Area // Slinger
Skiing, snowboarding, and terrain parks.
Alpine Valley Resort // Elkhorn
Voted No. 1 for snow making. 100 skiiable acres, 20 runs, three terrain parks.
Winter activities and trail availability are weather-dependent. Please check websites or contact locations for complete details, current conditions, hours and openings before heading out.
SLEDDING HILLS
APPLETON & FOX CITIES
Appleton Memorial Park // Appleton
Popular family sledding hill.
Erb Park // Appleton
Neighborhood sledding hill, also offering seasonal ice skating.
Reid Golf Course // Appleton
Two open hills suitable for family sledding.
Arrowhead Park // Appleton
Additional community sledding location.
Plamann Park // Appleton / Outagamie Cty
Two sledding hills with varied terrain.
Prairie Hill Park // Grand Chute
Sledding hill, warming shelter, seasonal ice rink.
Jennerjohn Park // Greenville
Beginner-to-intermediate sledding terrain.
Memorial Park // Combined Locks
Steeper sledding terrain.
Heesakker Park // Little Chute
Sledding hill and seasonal skating rink.
Sunset Park // Kimberly
Community sledding hill.
Grignon Park // Kaukauna
Steep sledding hill overlooking the Fox River.
White City Park // Kaukauna
Community sledding location.
Wanick Choute Park // Sherwood
Small sledding hill with multiple runs.
NEENAH, MENASHA & FOX CROSSING
Fritse Park // Fox Crossing / Menasha
Beginner-friendly sledding hill.
Clovis Park // Menasha
Neighborhood sledding hill.
Quarry Park // Neenah
Popular local sledding destination.
OSHKOSH & FOND DU LAC
Red Arrow Park // Oshkosh
Public sledding hill on the city's west side.
Buttermilk Creek Park // Fond du Lac
Community sledding location.
Adelaide Park // Fond du Lac
Local sledding hill.
Winter activities and trail availability are weather-dependent. Please check websites or contact locations for complete details, current conditions, hours and openings before heading out.
ICE SKATING & HOCKEY
OUTDOOR ICE SKATING
The Plaza at Gateway Park // Neenah
Outdoor refrigerated ice rink in downtown Neenah. Skate rentals and nearby refreshments.
Titletown / Hy-Vee Plaza // Green Bay
Outdoor skating near Lambeau Field.
Appleton Memorial Park // Appleton
Seasonal outdoor skating.
Erb Park // Appleton
Outdoor neighborhood skating.
Jones Park // Appleton
Seasonal skating and hockey areas.
Highview Park // Appleton
Outdoor community rink.
Colony Oaks Park // Appleton
Seasonal neighborhood rink.
Pierce Park // Appleton
Outdoor skating.
Washington, Green and Memorial Parks // Neenah
Seasonal outdoor ice rinks.
Hart Park // Menasha
Community ice rink.
Jennerjohn Park // Greenville
Outdoor skating.
South Park // Oshkosh
Seasonal outdoor ice rink.
INDOOR ICE SKATING & HOCKEY
Appleton Family Ice Center // Appleton
Public skating, hockey, and skating programs.
Tri-County Ice Arena // Neenah
Public skating, figure skating, and hockey.
Community First Champion Center // Grand Chute
Indoor ice sports, hockey, and public skating.
Cornerstone Community Center // Ashwaubenon
Public skating, figure skating, and hockey.
De Pere Ice Arena // De Pere
Indoor hockey and limited public skating
Winter activities and trail availability are weather-dependent. Please check websites or contact locations for complete details, current conditions, hours and openings before heading out.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Ariens Nordic Center // Brillion
Five kilometers of lighted trails with snowmaking.
Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve // Appleton
Approximately 8.5 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails. Ski rentals and nature trails.
Reid Golf Course // Appleton
Cross-country ski trails.
Art Lecker Park // Grand Chute
Approximately 1.6 miles of trails through woods and prairie. Classic and skate skiing.
1000 Islands Environmental Center // Kaukauna
Cross-country skiing and nature exploration.
High Cliff State Park // Sherwood
Groomed trails. Red Bird Trail offers approximately 3.4 miles along the Niagara Escarpment.
Brillion Nature Center // Brillion
Nearly seven miles of trails. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Triangle Sports Area / Baird Creek // Green Bay
Approximately 3.37 miles of trails.
Winnebago County Community Park // Oshkosh
Groomed cross-country ski trails.
Waukau Creek Nature Preserve // Waukau
Natural trails available for cross-country skiing.
Greenbush Trails // Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern Unit
More than 13 miles of groomed trails. Lighted loop for evening skiing.
Zillmer Trails // Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern Unit
Cross-country ski loops and warming facilities.
Winter activities and trail availability are weather-dependent. Please check websites or contact locations for complete details, current conditions, hours and openings before heading out.
SNOWSHOEING & WINTER HIKING
Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve // Appleton
Snowshoeing through woods and natural habitats.
1000 Islands Environmental Center // Kaukauna
Winter trails along the Fox River. Snowshoeing and nature exploration.
High Cliff State Park // Sherwood
Snowshoeing and winter hiking. Forest Management Trail is a good option for families. Snowshoe rentals available when the park office is open.
Brillion Nature Center // Brillion
Snowshoe trails and rentals in adult and children's sizes. Nature-based winter activities.
Ariens Nordic Center // Brillion
Snowshoeing, winter trails, and seasonal programs.
Baird Creek Greenway // Green Bay
Wooded trails for snowshoeing and winter hiking. Separate areas from groomed ski trails.
Calumet County Park // Hilbert
Snowshoeing and winter trails near Lake Winnebago.
Kettle Moraine State Forest // Northern Unit
Extensive winter hiking and snowshoeing. Snowshoeing prohibited on designated groomed ski trails.
Waukau Creek Nature Preserve // Waukau
Winter nature walks through woodland habitats.
Asylum Point Park // Oshkosh
Scenic winter walks near Lake Winnebago and the lighthouse.
Terrell's Island // Oshkosh / Lake Butte des Morts
Winter hiking along the breakwall trail, when conditions permit.
Winter activities and trail availability are weather-dependent. Please check websites or contact locations for complete details, current conditions, hours and openings before heading out.
ICE FISHING & STURGEON SPEARING
Lake Winnebago // Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, Stockbridge, Fond du Lac
One of Wisconsin's most recognizable ice fishing destinations. Popular for walleye and other winter fishing opportunities.
Lake Butte des Morts // Oshkosh / Winneconne
Walleye, panfish, and other species.
Lake Winneconne // Winneconne
Ice fishing and participation in the larger Winnebago system's winter fishing traditions.
Lake Poygan // Winneconne / Poygan
Ice fishing for walleye and panfish. Part of the Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing system.
Green Bay / Bay of Green Bay // Green Bay, Suamico, Oconto
Whitefish, perch, and walleye. Ice conditions can be especially variable on the bay.
Fox River & Wolf River System // Northeast Wisconsin
Winter fishing opportunities where legal and ice conditions permit.
Winter activities and trail availability are weather-dependent. Please check websites or contact locations for complete details, current conditions, hours and openings before heading out.
Winter Fishing Events
February 13-15
2026 Sturgeon Spectacular // Fond du Lac
A celebration of winter and really big fish. Chili Crawl, Sweet Stroll, snow and ice sculptures, family-friendly events.
downtownfdl.com/event/11th-annual-sturgeon-spectacular-2026
February 19-20
Battle on Bago // Oshkosh / Lake Winnebago
Major annual ice fishing tournament and regional winter tradition.
Confirm the February 2027 dates before adding it to the calendar.
February 13-28
Sturgeon Spearing Season // Lake Winnebago
A distinctive Wisconsin winter tradition. Subject to DNR rules and harvest caps.
Explore More from The Greater Valley Guide
The Greater Valley Guide is packed with local events, family-friendly adventures, hidden gems, and community happenings curated to help families connect, explore, and create lasting memories together. Be sure to check out our Calendar of Events for upcoming festivals, fairs, and seasonal celebrations, and be sure to browse our Business Directory filled with local places to shop, play, and discover.
