Warm Up to Winter in Lake Geneva, WI

LAKE GENEVA, Wis. - Jan. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- Winter may seem like an inconvenience when your only cold weather activity is shoveling, but it takes on a whole new meaning when you warm up to the activities offered in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. About an hour or so drive from Chicago and Milwaukee, the Lake Geneva area offers a plethora of activities to enjoy the outdoors and create a great weekend getaway.

Winter visitors embrace the scenic outdoors by skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice fishing, ice boating, snowmobiling, ice-skating, and carriage and sleigh rides. “After taking in the outdoors, visitors have their choice of inviting and cozy accommodations, many offering special lodging packages throughout the winter,” said Darien Schaefer, President, Lake Geneva Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce.

Cross-country skiers enjoy the numerous groomed and marked trails, with some offering instruction and refreshments. For those who prefer a little more speed, the Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort offers 18 downhill skiing and snowboarding runs, up to one-quarter mile in length, for all ability levels, along with three chairlifts and two Wonder-Carpet surface lifts. Snowboarders can take on a halfpipe and terrain park to showcase aerial tricks. Equipment rental and lessons are available as well.

Snowmobiling provides a broader view of the Lake Geneva area, and trails abound through Walworth County and connect with surrounding county trail systems. The best sledding hills are at Big Foot Beach State Park, near the parking lot at Sage and Mill Streets and at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. Ice skaters can enjoy daytime or moonlit sessions at the Abbey Resort & Avani Spa, and complimentary hot chocolate with skate rental is available at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.

Anglers can see what’s biting with the long-standing tradition of ice fishing on Geneva Lake or Lake Delavan, with guides and equipment rental offered. For those who favor solid ground, the Geneva Lake shore path gives walkers and hikers scenic views of nature and luxurious estates.

Sleigh rides let visitors take a load off while taking in the rolling countryside – followed by warm bonfires to chase away winter chills. Carriage rides through downtown, the lakefront, and historic Maple Park District are also available.

After a day in the invigorating winter air, visitors refuel with spa and dining options. The WELL Spa +Salon at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, the Caladora Spa at Lake Lawn Resort, the Avani Spa at the Abbey Resort, and other area day spas offer plenty of pampering, including massages, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures and salon services. Dining options range from decadent to simple and family-owned to chain restaurants throughout Lake Geneva.

To plan a weekend getaway, visit www.lakegenevawi.com.

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About Lake Geneva: Nestled on the northeastern shores of Geneva Lake in southeast Wisconsin, Lake Geneva has been a resort community since just after the Civil War when wealthy Chicago families discovered the site and began building summer homes there. Today, the elegant, often historic estates still ring the lake and can be viewed from the water or by foot via the 21-mile walking path that circles the lake.

Lake Geneva boasts a wealth of dining options and lodging choices with the latter ranging from luxury spa resorts to rustic inns to lovely B&B’s. The area also offers pristine nature areas and a wealth of attractions. For information on Lake Geneva, honored as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2009 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, visit www.lakegenevawi.com or call (800) 345-1020.