Our new golden retriever, Fargo, has a tail-wagging enthusiasm for all things new. Which for a 12-week-old puppy, amounts to just about anything appearing before his nose. This includes Christmas tree ornaments, house plants, shoe laces – especially those attached to moving feet – fallen leaves, sticks, and stairways.

Going outdoors presents boundless possibilities, requiring Fargo to navigate a flight of stairs down to our front door; which he usually takes two steps at a time, complete with a belly flop at the bottom. Undaunted, he then leaps outside like a jailbird on parole.

We should all have such passion for life. Given the opportunity to shed our daily routines, we just might find a new experience we can take two steps at a time. Driftless Wisconsin offers us such opportunities.

Have you ever toured an ice cave? On alternate Saturdays from January 31 to March 7, experienced guides will take you on such a journey at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge. On the afternoon hike you will see “rarely visited” ice caves and frozen waterfalls. Along the way, you might learn about winter wildlife, the ecology of the Kickapoo Valley, or the fascinating history behind the formation of the Reserve. You can experience the hike on snow shoes, a great way to navigate the Driftless Wisconsin landscape during the winter.

Have you ever watched a ski jump? I say watch, since you are not required to abandon your good senses and take the leap yourself. The 92^nd Annual Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament will be held outside Westby on January 30 – 31, attracting top talent from around the world. Growing up in Norwegian household with a father who jumped as a young man, I attended many Snowflake Tournaments as a boy. I watched in awe as highly trained athletes took their “leap of faith” into the abyss of beautiful Timber Coulee.

Ever go fishing through a hole in the ice? One of the area’s most popular winter activities might be a new experience for you. On February 7 – 8, the Annual Fisheree on the backwaters of the Mississippi River north of Prairie du Chien will give you the chance to test your ice-fishing skills or try something new. Mostly, it’s an excuse to get together with friends and tell fishing jokes that can be seen riding your breath into the crisp February air.

Check our outdoor activities and event calendar, and you will find experiences that will slay the winter doldrums. Whether a new experience or an old habit, Driftless Wisconsin offers you the chance to see it for the first time amid this stunning landscape. Like Fargo, you’ll find a new enthusiasm for everything in front of your nose.