These days of morning frost on the windshields and early
sunsets aren’t all bad. We promise. There’s still plenty to do in and around
the resort over the winter months — here are 11 great activities that have fond
winter memories written all over them.
Please note: All resort activities are open to overnight hotel
guests and casino guests only.
Take your very own private train car for a 90-minute
excursion. How’s that for social distancing? Through a partnership with the
French Lick Scenic Railway, we’re offering a brand-new train excursion to
bring back some of the seasonal activities you miss. The Winter Railway Getaway
will depart the station every Saturday afternoon from Dec. 12 through the end
of January, complete with hot cocoa and cookies for up to 20 people in your
family or social bubble. Only three cars are offered each week, so jump on this
exclusive offer while it lasts.
2. Trek Our Newest Trail
Bring your trail shoes and help us break in our newest hiking
trail. The new Stables Hiking Trail takes you from West Baden Springs
Hotel to The Stables and back, covering 1.4 wooded miles round trip. The best
time to hit the Stables Hiking Trail? Saturdays from 1-3 p.m., when you can roast
s’mores for free up at The Stables — and also pick up a free water and trail
mix from the West Baden Springs Hotel concierge desk before you make the trek.
Don’t sleep on a winter hike on the rest of our
resort trails, too. You’ll find less traffic on the trails this time of
year, and when it’s clear outside, the sunshine cuts through the leaf-less
forest to hit your face while you’re trekking the trails. (Plus, a day hike is
a good excuse to warm up with a cocktail later.)
It's prime season for some "lightseeing." More than a dozen Christmas trees, a half-million twinkling lights, a festive gingerbread house and holiday villages. And that's just the start. Take a stroll and see all the spectacular holiday decorations at the resort, both indoors and out.
Each night you can see a
winter wonderland come to life at French Lick Springs Hotel. Catch one of the projection light
shows, which use 3D animation to transform the hotel's exterior into a
vibrant holiday scene. See the shows each night at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.
From outdoor hikes to indoor Christmas-themed scavenger hunts
to holiday movies at the indoor pool, ‘tis the season for some holiday
fun. The kids can even write a letter to the North Pole during their stay
and receive a reply from Santa himself in time for Christmas.
6. Fire It Up
We've got the weekend vibes going every Friday and Saturday
night on the Spring House Patio. Relax outside by the fire pits at Fire Up the Weekend and enjoy
complimentary s'mores and live acoustic guitar entertainment.
7. Keep Your Golf Game Sharp
Private lessons at Valley Links Golf Course are
available throughout the winter, if you're looking for that scorecard boost
once spring golf starts. Any aspect, or multiple areas of your game, can be
addressed during each 45-minute lesson at our indoor facility. Weather
permitting, the 9-hole Valley Links Course is open throughout the winter
as well.
As long as the weather is agreeable, several of our outdoor
resort activities are available through the winter:
• FootGolf (play 9 or 18 holes, or the new 14-hole short course)
Take a ride through Wilstem Wildlife Park’s Winter Fest, a dazzling drive-thru
experience that starts with a 200-foot tunnel and includes 2.5 million lights
along the mile-and-a-half path. You’ll even see live reindeer and a live
nativity scene, because this is a wildlife park after all.
Less than a 10-minute drive from the resort, Wilstem also has several of
their exotic animal encounters open throughout the winter, both indoors and out.
Paoli Peaks is projecting
to open for the season December 19, so all you skiers and snowboarders can start
praying for a cold snap and/or a coat of fresh powder.
The ski and snowboard facility at Paoli Peaks features 14 unique
downhill experiences and two terrain parks with something for every skill level.
They also offer lessons, if you’re a rookie or it’s been a few years since you’ve
been on the slopes. The snow tubing facility features 10 lanes, each 700 feet
long and specially constructed for inner-tubes, which also makes for a fun way
to experience the slopes — especially with kids.
Caving isn’t just for summer vacation. If you’re looking to get away from the resort and explore a little, tour Marengo Cave or plan a trek at Indiana Caverns. Marengo offers underground cave exploration trips and packages, along with two easily walkable tours where it’s always 52 degrees — no matter how nasty the wind chill is outdoors. Likewise, Indiana Caverns features walking tours, a Deep Darkness 4-hour underground challenge, and even an escape room.