Christmas Mountain Village

Nestled among the pine trees on more than 800 acres, the Christmas Mountain Village overlooks golf courses and ski slopes. This is a time-share property with quaint lodges and private homes, and guests can attend sales presentations, but otherwise it’s a laid-back atmosphere. With a pitched rooftop and a blue exterior, the farm-style reception building charms, and seasonal decorations often adorn the log entrance to this resort. Comfortable seating by a fireplace, and coffee in a lounge area by the front desk and concierge counter, invite guests to linger. The main building offers elevator access, but many homes have stairs only, although accessible units are available. Guests -- who are mostly families and couples -- gather outside in the warmer months to use the barbecue grills and picnic tables. The resort has a small pier on a pond, offering catch-and-release fishing, and free paddleboat and kayak rentals. Management wrapped up a three-year $18 million renovation project in late 2014, but the rustic location means a few forest creatures sometimes get inside units.

This village is nestled on hundreds of acres in a location that’s off-the-beaten-track, suiting travelers who want a quiet vacation with ample outdoor activities, two golf courses, and two chair lifts to the ski slopes. There are a few restaurants nearby, or it’s a 10-minute drive to the Wisconsin Dells Parkway downtown, where there are grocery stores and restaurants. The Wisconsin Deer Park, Tommy Bartlett Exploratory, Noah's Ark Water Park, and Mirror Lake State Park are a 15-minute drive from the hotel. It’s a 20- to 30-minute drive to the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells and Red Ridge Ranch Riding Stable. The Dane County Regional Airport is an hour's drive from the hotel, and the General Mitchell International Airport is about a two-hour drive.

This massive time-share property offers RV and tent campgrounds with an on-site shower/bath house, fire pits, and charcoal grills. Travelers seeking a less-rustic experience can choose the one- to three-bedroom homes (some are two stories) with kitchens, living rooms, vaulted ceilings, screened-in porches or open decks, and in most, gas or wood-burning fireplaces. Villas, Timbers, Cottages, and Townhouses feature lodge-style interiors, and earth-tone furnishings; more distinct pine details are in Log Cabins. Deluxe Timber and Townhouse accommodations, which are built on the hillside with great views, come with one- and two-bedroom options that can be combined to create a three-bedroom unit. Accessible homes are available. Most bathrooms have wood laminate floors, marble counters, and showers; some have claw-foot bathtubs or whirlpool tubs. All rooms come with irons, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, AC units or central air-conditioning, and hairdryers; many have laundry machines. 

Spread out on this expansive property are the Pines Golf Course and Oaks Golf Course, offering 27 holes of golf and a pro shop. In the winter months there are 15 ski slopes that operate mostly beginner hills and sledding. This resort is open year-round, but some facilities, such as the four outdoor pools, are open only seasonally. There are also outdoor hot tubs, an indoor pool, sauna, and a water park that with small slides. Other kid-friendly facilities include playgrounds, a tennis court, basketball court, a baseball field, volleyball, and special events, including outdoor movie nights. The Campground Clubhouse has video games, a dining area, ping-pong, air hockey, and various crafts activities. Basic cardio and weight equipment is in a small gym, and outside is a simple mini-golf course.

Dining at Mulligan’s Bar N’ Grill is casual, with flat-screen TVs for sports fans, vintage arcade games, and a pool table. The Mountain Cafe & Market serves Starbucks and offers grocery supplies. Jolly’s bar and grill, which serves lunch and dinner, is open seasonally. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.