A Little Fresh Air and a Great Time
The holidays are a great time to get together with family and friends, but most of it is spent indoors. If you’re getting a little claustrophobic or feeling a little sluggish from just sitting around the house, here are some outdoor activities to get your blood flowing:
- Snow tubing—Think of it as skiing without a lot of the expense. Another bonus—you don’t need any lessons. You can just get on the tube and fly down the hill. Though it’s a relatively new sport, snow tubing is taking off in a big way, with more than a dozen tubing parks across New England.
- Downhill skiing—There’s a perfect hill for you somewhere, whether you’ve never strapped on a ski or you’ve been schussing for years. The feel of the wind in your face as you glide down the slopes is almost as energizing as the hot toddies in the lodge when you’re done.
- Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing—These activities let you get into the heart of the wilderness, where the deafening silence can overwhelm you. You’ll also get some of the best exercise you’ve ever had.
- Collecting maple syrup—You’ll have to wait about 6-8 weeks to harvest your own gooey pancake elixir. Most maple syrup farmers start tapping the trees in February. Most places offer tours and some will let you gather your own golden goodies.
- Visit an ice castle—You can only do this in the great white North, but you’ll find castles and festivals from New Hampshire and Maine to Minnesota. In many, you can belly up to the bar and have a hot chocolate or toddy. Many of the castles feature fountains, tunnels, slides and thrones, often with embedded LED lighting. You can even arrive at some of the castles in a horse-drawn sleigh.
- Go skating—You can find outdoor rinks throughout the northeastern United States, where you can rent a pair of skates and glide around on the ice.
There’s plenty to do outside after the holidays. Put on a warm coat and get some fresh air.
