Winter Activities Cross-Country Skiing Cross-country skiers enjoy seven miles of groomed trails at Wildcat Mountain State Park. There is also backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in the 8,500-acre Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Snowflake Ski & Golf Club Events: Nordic Center, Westby - Take a close look at the world class complex of ski jumping hills. During the spring the base of the ski hills is a 9 hole public golf course. Snowflake members also host Ski jumping tournaments, Regional Snocross, and Golf Tournaments.See Festival for more information. Snowmobiling Vernon County offers the avid snowmobiler access to snowmobile trails that wind through some of the most scenic forest lands in all of Wisconsin. In the winter, local snowmobile clubs groom many miles of scenic trails that connect with routes that spread across the state. Ice Fishing Shortly after Thanksgiving the waters of Vernon County begin to freeze and to many that signals the beginning of fishing on the ice. A wise old man once said what better time to fish than when you can walk on water. Truer words where never spoken and the hearty souls that brave the cold environs of the Wisconsin winters will be the first to admit, ice fishing can be highly rewarding. Inland lakes of Vernon County provide excellent Blue Gill and Crappie fishing while the Mississippi offers tremendous Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass and Pan fishing opportunities. Blackhawk Island near DeSoto, offers numerous fishing opportunities throughout the winter and several local baitshops offer an extensive inventory of baits and tackle. Goose Island several miles north of Stoddard offers similar adventures for Mississippi backwater fishing. So don't let winter intimidate you, get out and explore Vernon Counties winter wonderland. Not only will you enjoy the outing, but its sure to relieve the midwinter cabin fever.