By Megan Roessler | Photo courtesy Rustic Ridge
Nothing pairs better with a cold, bright winter day than a crackling fire and good company. This winter, skip the airport and the tropical beaches and instead escape with your ski buds, your girl group or your significant other on a snowy cabin getaway.
A skier’s paradise, The Rustic Ridge Log Cabins are, as owner Konda Sterrett describes them, “a quiet retreat from the city.” Across the street from Devil’s Head Golf and Ski Resort, and a short 13 miles from Cascade Mountain, these cabins allow guests to hit the slopes all day and relax with wood-burning fireplaces and whirlpools all night. The Amish-built cabins have a romantic, hand-made quality to their design, and Sterrett says, “They’re spacious enough for the whole family, but cozy enough for a romantic getaway.”
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When husband and wife Karl and Tracy Hackbarth designed and built the cabins at Percheron Paradise Romantic Hideaway, they based them on, as Karl jokes, “everything we didn’t like about other places.” This couples-only getaway is on a secluded 200 acres in the La Crosse area, and although guests have their choice between a bungalow and four chalets, each building is separated from the others by the hilly, forested landscape. Because the buildings are so removed—tucked into the woods on winding driveways—two of the chalets come with rental vehicles to help you and your date get to your lodging. Each offers a whirlpool for two, large decks, kitchens, satellite TV, a fireplace and board games. One chalet even includes a billiards table for couples who want to go back to the days of shooting pool at a bar… without having to play against strangers for beers. percheronparadise.com
The Coulee Creek Caboose in Ferryville, Wisconsin, is near the Iowa-Wisconsin border, and a short trip away from the charming towns and scenic views of the Driftless Area. Now an AirBnB, this repurposed candy-apple red railroad caboose offers a gas fireplace, hot tub, and seasonal ice-climbing tours. An ideal destination for nature-lovers, this Wi-Fi-free cabin gives visitors a chance to unplug and escape from the world around them.
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The Walnut Ridge is an intimate historic getaway near Platteville. Its two buildings—one the quintessential log cabin and the other a cabin of hand-hewn timbers and native fieldstone dating to the 1800s—are sure to be the highlight of the trip for history buffs and those with an eye for design. But the fun doesn’t stop at the façade: inside, whirlpools and fireplaces make these historic buildings the perfect place to stay cozy on a long weekend. If you’re feeling adventurous, Walnut Ridge is a short trip from Wollersheim Winery, New Glarus Brewery, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, and Platteville and Mineral Point, which promise relaxing day trips with just the right amount of razzle dazzle.
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Although the distance between these cabins and the Madison area isn’t overwhelming, geography makes them feel like a different world, with dramatic hillsides, winding roads, and romantic forests creating an escape from the hustle and bustle. Whether you’re looking for a romantic trip away with your spouse, or just a few days with family or friends, these Wisconsin cabins prove that a rejuvenating winter getaway can be just around the corner.
