Are you looking for the best things to do in Lake Geneva in winter? First off, wonderful choice! While Lake Geneva is known as a summer resort town, it is a great destination to visit during winter too. My family has been in the area since the 1930s so I put together a must do list of winter activities so you can spend less time planning and more time having fun around the lake (even if it’s covered in ice!).
There are so many fun activities to do in Lake Geneva in winter. My number one tip is JUST DRESS WARMLY! That means hats, gloves, scarves, snow boots, winter coats and in some cases snow pants. With the right attire you can fully enjoy all of the activities the area has to offer.
Whether visiting the famous Lake Geneva ice castle, skiing on the snow hill, watching US National snow sculpting championship or just relaxing in one of the many resorts with indoor pools, you will have a great time!
Top Things to Do in Lake Geneva in Winter:
- Lake Geneva Ice Castle
- Lake Geneva Winterfest
- Winter Zipline
- Santa Boat Cruise and Festival of Christmas Trees
- Electric Light Christmas Parade
- Ski Lake Geneva
- Geneva National Winter Wonderland
- Horse drawn sleigh ride
- Igloo Drinks and Dining
- WIllmont Snow Tubing Hill
- Tristan Crist Magic Theater
- Bonus Activity: Recharge at the world class resorts and spas
This post is all about the top things to do in Lake Geneva in winter.
Ice Castles Lake Geneva
Did you know that Lake Geneva is one of 5 places in the entire US that hosts the giant illuminated ice castles?! This larger than life ice castle includes ice slides, an ice maze, crawl tunnels, caves, fountains and even sleigh rides! Tickets usually go on sale in late November and the event starts end of January/early February and runs through late Feb/beginning of March- but exact dates are dependant on the weather.
M/W/Th ticks are $25 for adults and $17 and Fri/Sat/Sun $29 for adults/$22 for children. I recommend purchasing tickets early on since this event sells out! Also DRESS WARM! Full snow pants, winter coats, boots, scarves, hats and snow gloves are strongly recommended to fully enjoy this attraction. I also suggest bringing a 2nd pair of pants in the car- if the ice is a bit melty and you go down the slides, it can be a bit wet.
This event is located on the grounds of the Geneva National Resort and Spa and there are overnight stay packages available at both Geneva National and their sister hotel, The Ridge Hotel where they have so many additional fun things to do at their Winter Wonderland. Guests get complementary snow shoes, ice skates or sleds (if you are not staying at either property you can still rent and take part in the fun.) They also have s’mores around firepits and igloos that you can rent!
Insider tip: If you plan to eat before or after the ice castles, make sure to make a reservation because while there are many restaurant options near the Ice Castles at the Grand Geneva, they tend to fill up quickly! Also consider renting an igloo or reservering a spot in one of the Ice Princess Brunch! With so many fun winter memories you won’t even miss the summer đ
Lake Geneva Winterfest
Lake Geneva is also home to the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship! Since 1996 during the first week of February teams from around the USA arrive to take part in this professional snow sculpting competition (The 9 foot blocks of snow that each team receives come from the snow atop the Mountain Top at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa!). Each professional team must submit a backstory of what they are planning to sculpt so it if fun learning about each team and their vision before viewing the actual thing.
In addition to watching the sculptors work, stroll around downtown where 40 local business display beautiful ice sculptures. There are also activities like the Fire and Ice bar at the Baker House, a party at the Maxwell Mansion massive igloo, s’mores and igloos on Riviera beach, a warming center in the Riviera center, live jazz and food trucks!
Winter Zipline at Lake Geneva Zipline and Adventures
Make unforgettable memories with Lake Geneva Zipline and Adventures. Open year round choose from two famous zipline adventures, a high ropes course, 12 miles of mountain biking (bring your own bike) and climbing tower for older kids. Reservations highly recommended and approximate time per course is 2 hours. All ages welcome but must be 70 lbs minimum to participate.
Santa Boat Cruise
This is one of the top things to do in Lake Geneva in the winter! The Santa boat tour leaves from Pier 290 in Williams Bay and takes you on a magical journey to catch a glimpse of Santa himself. The cool thing is that all of the kids on the boat have their names on a list and Santa reads each childâs name from his nice list as the boat passes by! I mean, a personal shout out from SantaâŚ..what could be better!?
This fun holiday event isn’t just for the kids! Adults will also enjoy getting into the holiday spirit watching the light displays and listening to the holiday story. Usually the last, later boat tour is the adult only cruise if that is more your speed. There is no bar on the boat but you can grab a drink before hand at Pier 290 or the Festival of Tress display. The boat is heated however remember it is winter in Wisconsin and cold out! Dress warmly with hats, gloves and coats because it can get chilly. Book tickets in advance because this tour sells out quick!
Insider tip: Before boarding get into the Christmas spirit by walking through the Festival of Christmas Trees in the Gage Marine boat garage (behind PIer 290). This winter wonderland is open to everyone, Wednesday -Sunday from 4:30-8ish on weekdays and 9 or 9:30 on weekends starting the day after Thanksgiving and going through the new year. Local charities each create a Christmas display and then visitors purchase $2.00 raffle tickets and choose the display (or prize) they like the most! Christmas music is playing in the background and Pier 290 has a bar on hand for cocktails…..what could be better?! I love the Santa boat tour, but even if I wasn’t taking the cruise I suggest taking in the beauriful displays then heading down to Pier 290 for dinner to get into the holiday spirit!
Length: 40 minutes
Good for: All Ages
Runs: Day after Thanksgiving â Dec 30th starting at 4:30pm
Cost: Adults $30, Kids $18, 3 and under free
Electric Christmas Parade
This light up Christmas parade in downtown Lake Geneva always brings on the holiday cheer! Witness the magic of Christmas as local businesses and organizations present light up holiday floats for all to enjoy. Normally this parade is the first Saturday in December and starts at 5pm and starts at the intersection of Williams St. and Marshall St. proceeding south on Williams and onto Broad St.
Insider tip: The parade route gets closed to parking starting around 3pm. I highly recommend getting to downtown Lake Geneva early and grabbing a bit to eat at one of the many great restaurants like Lake City Social, Oakfire, or Popeyes!.
Ski Lake Geneva
If you like to ski the AAA Four Diamond Wisconsin resort, The Grand Geneva, is for you. The property is situation on 1300 acres and has it’s own ski hill, called The Mountain Top where they offer skiing and snowboarding from December through beginning of March. The resort is amazing on it’s own (check out my full review and tips here), but add in skiing and snowboarding (both lift tickets, rentals, ski school and two restaurants by the mountain) and you are in heaven. The resort makes it’s own snow so you will have a great time no matter what the weather. After skiing take advantage of the luxury spa at the resort to recharge and relax!
Winter Adventure Center at Geneva National Resort
The Geneva National Resort is not only home to the famous Geneva Ice Castles, they also have a whole winter adventure center anyone can take advantage of! If you are a guest of their hotel or the sister hotel The Ridge, you have complimentary access to their ice skating rink (with rentals and hot coco available for purchase), sledding (sleds available to rent) or snow shoeing. Even if you are not staying you can pay to enjoy the festivities. They also have snow globes for rent to enjoy food/drink in, or a winter Snow Princess Brunch where you and your kids can have brunch with the Snow Princess, which includes photo options and storytime.
Sleigh Rides
There are two opportunities for a winter sleigh ride in Lake Geneva. The first is at Geneva National Ice Castle event. Sleigh rides are only open to those who have tickets to the Ice Castles, but if you only bought the ice castle ticket online, the sleigh ride can be added when you arrive. 3 and under are free.
Insider tip: Multiple parties are seated in the 15 person sleigh which takes you on a 10-15 minute lakeside open carriage ride along the golf course at Geneva National Resort. You are taken through tree lined areas illuminated with lights. It’s suggested that you do your sleigh ride after exploring the ice castle based on the location of the sleigh.
The 2nd option is at Dan Patch Stables, which is located at the entrance of the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa three miles away from down town Lake Geneva. The sleigh can fit 4 adults, or a small family comfortably and cost $60.00. Sleigh rides can be reserved 7 days a week between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m, reservations are required and dependant on the snowfall/weather.
Lake Geneva Igloo Drinks and Dining
There are a variety of places you can rent an igloo for dinner or drinks and enjoy the beauty of the snow while staying warm! Even though most igloos are heated, I still suggest warm coats/hats/gloves, etc as the night can get chilly even in the igloos. Check websites for most up to date pricing, but the majority of rental fees do not include food/beverage, these are extra.
- Maxwell Mansion Igloo Rentals: This boutique hotel (with a basement speakeasy!) has one of the state’s largest igloos where you can host private parties and events (During Winterfest they usually throw a party in there which is really fun!). They also have smaller igloo rentals for 90 minutes, that hold 15 people. They offer cocktails and hot drinks from their Apothecary Bar and guests are welcome to bring in their own food. Sun-Thurs are $100; Friday/Sat are $200. Click here to reserve.
- The Ridge Hotel Snow Globe Rental- These illuminated snow globes offer the chance to enjoy a special menu of appetizers and holiday drinks on the outdoor patio! They usually open early January, have infrared and under seat heaters, accommodate up to 8 people and are $100 dollars M-TH and $200 Sat-Sunday. Each rental is 90 minutes with daily seatings from 11am-9pm. They also offer overnight stay/igloo packages. Click here to reserve through open table or call 262.249.3800 to book an overnight package.
- Winterfest Igloos on the beach- These igloos are usually open Friday and Saturday of Winterfest (usually the first week in February) and are located on the Riviera beach in downtown Lake Geneva. Stroll Winterfest and enjoy the snow and ice sculptures, bonfires, live jazz and food trucks. Then make your way to your private igloo reservation to cap off the day! Each reservation is 45 minutes, and starts on the hour from 5-8pm. Cost is $125 per rental.
- Pier 290 Igloo: One of the best restaurants with a lakeview also has igloos! Igloos hold up to 6 people and reservation fees range from $45 â $65 for 2 hours with Full Menu options. Winter hours are Tues-Friday, 11am to 9pm, Saturday 10:30am to 10pm, and Sunday 10:30am to 8pm Call 262-245-2100 to reserve
- Geneva National Snowglobe: After the ice castles reserve an igloos for some drinks and appetizers from the Turfroom Smokehouse. They usually open mid-January and the 8 person igloos cost $100 for a 90 minute rental. Click here to reserve.
- Mars Resort: Igloo The famous Mars Resort supper club also has igloos on the beach overlooking the wonderful Lake Como. The 5-7 person occupancy is open daily at 5pm and are 90 minute reservations with a special igloo menu. There is no rental fee but a $100 food/beverage minimum. Call (262) 245-5689 to reserve.
- Grand Geneva Resort Igloo: The Grand Geneva has so many holiday options but the igloos are one of my favorites! You must reserve online here first, and it is $50 dollars on weekdays, $65 on weekends, plus a minimum of $50 dollars in food or beverage. You can preorder food boards, small bites or cocktails to have ready when you arrive! Open Daily Monday, November 21, 2022 – Friday, March 17, 2023 M-F 5-11pm, Sat/Sun 11am-11pm.
Willmont Snow Tubing Hill
Just 24 minutes outside of downtown Lake Geneva is a massive snow tubing hill that has 22 lanes and is over 1000 feet long. There is a conveyor lift to get you up the hill and a lodge for snacks and drinks after. Tubes are provided by WIllmont. *This snow tubing hill is intense and I would not recommend for young kids! You have to be 42″ tall and no lap seating is allowed. Tickets sell out fast so reserve here.
Tristan Crist Magic Theater
This Las Vegas style magic show designed for teens and adults shouldn’t be missed is consistently rated one of the top things to do in Lake Geneva! Watch a lady get cut in halves, see objects levitate and be stunned as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle vanishes in 2 seconds. Resident Tristan Crist was named Master Illusionist of the Year by the International Magicians Society in 2021. Tickets are $40/person and ages 12+ is recommended. Purchase tickets here.
Bonus Entry: Recharge at the world class Resorts and Spas!
The Lake Geneva area has so many resorts and spas that you can recharge and relax in. Click here for the top resorts and hotels around the area. Click here for the best family hotels, resorts and waterparks!
No matter which of these events you choose you will have a great time this winter in Lake Geneva, WI!
This post was all about the best things to do in Lake Geneva in winter.
