You don’t have to hibernate when winter hits! There are lots of frozen festivals and events that celebrate the snow and ice.
Ice skating at the Grotto, in West Bend, provides the perfect setting for “children of all ages” to enjoy an afternoon or evening of ice skating during the winter. Enjoy pick-up hockey with appropriate protective equipment. There is a snack bar in the warming house. Anyone can ice skate, starting December through mid-March. Hours may vary, so call the West Bend Grotto for more details.
Smith Lake also offers a great variety of outdoor activities all year long. Winter activities include: ice fishing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing, just to name a few. For more information check out Smith Lake’s website.
The Frostbite Olympics will take place from January 21st through the 23rd, in Algona. A full weekend of activities are scheduled to occur, including a chili cook-off, ice fishing derby, ATV races, snowmobile rides, and kids’ winter wonderland activities.
University of Okoboji Winter Games will take place January 28-31 in Okoboji. Iowa’s fictional university celebrates winter with events including broomball tournaments, snowball softball, flag football, chili cook-offs, the freeze-your-fanny bike ride, a polar plunge, the annual Burning of the Greens, using the town’s Christmas trees and wreaths, and fireworks.
Some other fun winter activities to do with family and friends include: sledding, making snow angels, creating your own snowman, snowball fights, building an igloo, making some homemade hot cocoa, movie marathons, baking, a winter campfire, going on a winter hike, and showing off your crafting skills. Addison Behounek said, “Some of my favorite things to do during the winter is bake with my friends and snuggle with my cats.”