Your winter Zoom calls will be a lot less boring with these backgrounds of winter scenes, from checking out the northern lights to skiing on the slopes.

Winter is the perfect time for cross-country skiing or cozying up in nearby small towns. Number two in Wisconsin and 80th in the U.S. was the Great River Road from Prescott to La Crosse.

These events -- ranging from cross-county skiing to bonfires -- kick off on Jan. 6 and continue until March 2024. They're cheap or free, and give a great way to enjoy winter scenery after dark. If you ...