Whether you’re strapping on skis for the first time or you’re a mogul master, Bruce Mound Winter Sports Area is your ticket to high-flying fun. Located 12 miles north of downtown Black River Falls, the county-operated hill includes 40 acres of premiere skiing domain. A network of beginner, intermediate and advanced trails is accessed by five lifts. Take the triple chair to the top of Bruce Mound’s 375-foot vertical rise, then feel the rush of adrenaline as you fly down the groomed face. Night skiing, private lessons, a children’s ski school and equipment rental are available. Bruce Mound also employs a state-of-the-art snowmaking machine, so you don’t need to cancel your ski trip due to dry conditions. The winter sports area is open weekends from mid-December through mid-March.
Cure cabin fever with a weekend outing to Whitetail Ridge Ski Area. A plethora of winter boredom busters awaits at the family-friendly resort located 35 minutes south of Black River Falls. Whitetail Ridge sits on land used for military training; however, the ski area is open to the public. The unpretentious resort caters to beginner and intermediate skiers, though it features some advanced terrain highlighted by a 1,300-foot-long run. If you’re a newbie, practice on Whitetail's three milder slopes that end at a warming hut. Areas for tubing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing are accessible from the base of the hill. When you’re ready for an extended break, head to the chalet for snacks and beverages. Ski instruction and equipment rental are also available throughout the season, which typically runs from December until April, weather permitting.
If you have a serious need for speed, drive about an hour southwest of Black River Falls to Mt. La Crosse. The 100-acre ski resort boasts 18 slopes and trails, including a 5,300-foot-long run. Ride to the top of the hill on one of three double chairlifts before making tracks on the fresh and machine-made powder. End your day at Mt. La Crosse’s fully equipped chalet, which features a restaurant, bar, and a rental and repair shop. Night skiing, group rates, private lessons, special themed events and a children’s area are also available seven days a week from December through March.
Why walk in a winter wonderland when you can glide through it? Explore 24 miles of impeccably groomed cross-country trails that snake through Black River State Forest. Sandstone bluffs, lakes and stately pines serve as the backdrop for an epic winter workout. Look for deer, wild turkeys and grouse on the Ridge Trail -- the forest’s steepest climb. If you are a novice, start on the gentle South Trail. The one-mile loop is a great warm-up to the Central Trail, which includes several challenging hills and turns. The trail system features rest areas equipped with shelters, small fireplaces and picnic tables. Depending on snowfall, the trails are open from December through March.
