Winter wonderland brings holiday vacationers

UPSON, Wis. - While some people head home for the holidays, others head out on vacation. Plenty of early season snow has made the area's ski hills, cross country trails and snowmobile trails perfect for a holiday getaway.

By Christmas Day, the area had received 57.4 inches of snow for the season, including 24.6 inches in the month of December. All the area ski hills were reporting most, if not all, of their runs open.

Numerous individuals celebrated Christmas Eve by skiing and snowboarding at Whitecap Mountain Tuesday.

Dustin and Joanie Vibbert visited Whitecap as part of a family tradition of holiday excursions.

The Vibbert family tradition includes visits to a new ski hill each year, for the past four years, with their children Kallie, Lily and Dawson.

Joanie Vibbert said skiing is "great for the kids," enhancing their coordination and confidence while also being fun.

But this wasn't Dustin Vibberts first visit here. He began skiing at Whitecap 15 years ago.

Another couple, Matt and Dawn Sprister, also came to Whitecap on a family vacation.

They have been skiing for 25 years and this is the first year they brought their kids along. "They're with their grandma; they're tired," she said.

Locals enjoy the slopes, too. Nate Hitchcock, began snowboarding three years ago.

He said Christmas Eve was the only day available for him and his friend, due to their hectic work schedules.

"The terrain around here is pretty cool," Hitchcock said, adding it was good to see the snow.