Let's begin our tour of Wisconsin's winter activities in Neillsville, located in the heart of Wisconsin with over 120,000 acres of public access forest land.  From O'Neill Manor, you can choose to cross country ski or snowshoe up O'Neill Creek located just out the Manor's back door into beautiful forest land and end up on their privately groomed trails, or head out onto the many outstanding public trails located 15 minutes from the Manor.  Want to try down hill skiing, tubing or snow boarding? Then, Bruce Mound is the place for you.  Snowmobiling trails abound using the public ATV trail system.  Innkeeper Julie can even put together a traditional sleigh ride for you.  And, she's conveniently posted these activities with links for more information right on their website.  Bundle up! [caption id="attachment_1345" align="alignright" width="300"] Sleigh bells ring ... snow is glistening.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1344" align="alignleft" width="270"] A blanket of snow is the foundation for just about every winter sport in Neillsville. O'Neill Manor is the perfect place to start and end your fun in the snow.[/caption]

Getting away for a few nights to a Wisconsin B&B often mean relaxing and de-stressing, what with sleeping in late and those delicious homemade breakfasts.  For February, let’s make it about being active too.  After all, February is American Heart Month.  With a focus on outdoor pursuits, we turn to two styles of skiing – downhill and cross country. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism lists 32 ski hills in the state .  Cross reference by city to find the nearest B&B.  By the way, the largest ski hill in Wisconsin is at Granite Peak at Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau; stay at the upscale Stewart Inn, just five miles away.  For cross country skiers, Wausau’s Nine-Mile Forest features 30k of classic/skate trails – and 6k of light trails.  Check out X-C trail conditions at www.skinnyski.com. You can literally ski out the front door at Justin Trails, Sparta, where the innkeepers groom 10 miles of trail for both classic/skate X-C skiing, with ski rentals on site.  Hayward’s Forest Moon B&B is 1 mile from “double O” where the American Birkebeiner Race crosses; their waxing table makes ski-prep convenient.  Just 10 minutes from Madison, Cameo Rose in Belleville has 120 acres with private trails for X-C or snowshoeing. Have your (coffee) cake and eat it guilt-free when you schedule a little cardio during your getaway. [caption id="attachment_416" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hayward's Forest Moon B&B, a sturdy northwoods log-lodge warms guests with a crackling fire in the stone hearth, and of course fuels X-C skiers with a hearty breakfast."][/caption]