The OG Frozen Tundra

Bundle up: Wisconsin winter's bring more ways to get outdoors

When the rest of the country thinks of winters in Wisconsin, they think of frozen snot-sicles, snowstorms in May, and the Green Bay Packers kicking a** in Titletown.

Frankly, it's not far off the mark - it gets pretty brisk here. For ~4 to 6 months of the year, Wisconsin can be a winter wonderland.

It's why we rank the 8th coldest state in the nation, at one time reaching as low as -55 degrees (without wind chill, cripes!).

But as the temps drop and the winds blow in roughly 40 inches of average snowfall, 'Scons look forward to the many outdoor sports we do to keep the blood flowing.

Here's a few Wiscampsin favs:

Fat biking

Honey, do these tires make my bike look fat?

We've always been big on biking in Wisconsin, and it doesn't matter what the mercury says.

With a couple of wide, low-pressured tires, a fat bike allows you to ride across snow and ice. As our treasured lakes freeze over, many outdoor gems become accessible, like the sea caves at Madeline Island.

A whole pile of fat bike trails, groups, and events have sprung up across the state as it grows in popularity, making it super accessible.

Check out where to rent and if you really want to earn your stripes, check out the Snow Crown races.

Ice fishing

For those looking for something a little more relaxing, try dropping your worm into freezing cold water. ...Erm - ice fishing, of course!

After all, Friday fish frys are a year-round occasion, and with ~15,000 lakes that freeze over (some more than others), it's totally possible to keep our freezers stocked full of filets.

Now, ice fishing is more than just sitting on the lake drinking Millers (though that's a crucial part). You first gotta buy a fishing license and maybe a little bit of gear. Fleet Farm is as good a place as any, but remember to patronize your local bait shops, too.

Check out the time-tested ice fishing techniques, otherwise chances are you know someone crazy enough to stare at 8-inch hole in the ice for hours on end, so ask 'em to show you the ropes. There's a free fishing weekend coming up - give it a go!

Skijoring

Ah, where a dog truly becomes man's best friend.

Skijoring is essentially the intersection between cross-country skiing and taking your dog for a jog (hopefully without the 'pit stops').

A cross-country skier connects him or herself to a dog or horse through a towline. Then the two work in conjunction, skier skating while the dog runs, to race across the snow.

Like all niche outdoor sports, it started way back when in the cold of Norway (probably after a few too many brews), but made its way to the US and up nort' to Wisconsin as more and more folks turned to outdoor recreation with their pooches.

The sport's flame is fanned by those who help build Skijoring trails across the state. Races are even held for the real enthusiasts, like the Barkie Birkie in Hayward, WI.

...and the many others

There's tons of winter sports in Wisconsin that can 1) get you outdoors and 2) help support our natural resources in some way. Grab a buddy and go snowshoe the many State Park trails. Take an ice boating lesson. Shovel your neighbor's driveway (ok, that one might be a stretch). Whatever it is, be sure to include a pal and...

...get out 'der!