Wintertime Activities
This winter stay active and explore Happy Valley!
After a very intense semester, we all deserve a fun and relaxing winter break! That's why we would like to share with you a list of interesting outdoor activities and places to visit. We hope it will help you to stay healthy and active during the holidays!
In the State College area
Sledding/tobogganing: Cheap and simple. The place to go is Slab Cabin Park. There is also a smaller hill at Memorial Field near the high school that is popular. Plastic toboggans cost a few dollars at Walmart.
Cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing: Can be done at the Penn State Golf Course beside the graduate student apartments. Cross-country skis can be purchased or rented at Appalachian Outdoors (also check the local bike shops). There are lots of other places to cross-country, but it does require about 6" of natural snow on the golf course, and more if there are trees or long grass.
Downhill skiing and snowboarding: Can be done at Tussey Mountain, and night skiing is usually available. They also rent and sell equipment or you can try Appalachian Outdoors for purchase. The advantage to downhill is that they make snow. They also have lessons, which is advised for beginners. You can get a season pass or pay by the visit, which is usually 4 or 8 hours. The hills are better at Blue Knob but it is an extra hour drive.
Tubing (sledding using an inner tube): Can be done at Tussey Mountain. The hills are longer and icier than Slab Cabin, but no skill is required because the inner tubes are naturally bouncy. Usually, you take a small ski lift to the top of the slope and buy your ticket by the hour.
Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg: The museum is currently closed, but there are tanks for the kids to climb on and a walking path. It also has the added benefit of being across the street from Pump Station Café (good coffee!).
Winter bonfire or cookout: Properly dressed for the weather, it is just as much fun as in the summer and can be done in any park that allows barbequing, or even on your back porch. Bonuses: no bugs and beautiful starry nights.
Winter hikes: As long as it is not too icy, the trails are just as nice as in the summer and the views may be better without the leaves:
- Harvest Fields and Tussey Pond Park: They have new short hiking/biking trails.
- Fish Hatchery: An easy nature walk. The entrance and parking area are right off Shiloh Road and you can walk/bike a flat trail all the way to the Bellefonte Hatchery. It runs behind part of Rockview Prison. The path follows a popular fly fishing stream.
- Spring Creek Canyon/Fisherman's Paradise: This is a pretty and easy walk along Spring Creek between 2 fish hatcheries.
- Millbrook Marsh: Right off Orchard Road, has boardwalk walking paths through the marsh.
- Colyer Lake: There is a hiking trail around the lake and lots of great views.
- Lake Perez at Stone Valley: the lake offers lots of hiking options.
Hikes ranging a bit further away
Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte: It’s worth a visit and Bellefonte offers a good food selection: both URBN and Bonfatto's have great sandwiches! Bellefonte has lots of antique shops and the architecture there is very interesting.
Coburn Rails to Trails: Start in Coburn and walk the old rail bed. There is a cool tunnel and a walking bridge over Penn's Creek. You can also bike the trails. It's another flat option for getting out, but not a workout. The drive is about 20 minutes from Boalsburg out Rt. 45.
Black Moshannon Lake: Nice hiking trails and pretty lake.
Yet further still (in the 2-hour drive range)
Shanksville Memorial: More information here. It's located about an hour and a half away, a should-not-be-missed! The visitors center is currently closed but other sites are open
PA Grand Canyon: north of Williamsport, great rails to trails biking and hiking area. Spectacular views even in wintertime.
Kinzua Bridge: A railroad trestle that offers impressive views. Read its history to fully appreciate it...
And after all the hiking...
As a fun tangent, one of our students suggests this recipe for a great homemade hot chocolate - A pinch of sea salt can be a great addition, along with replacing a part of the chocolate with dark chocolate, if preferred ? Perfect for a wintery afternoon!
This list was compiled by Alice Chersoni, Department of Statistics
Many thanks to all the members of Statistics who contributed, in particular Naomi Altman and Kathy Smith.