IN West County Winter 2017 | Page 17

N ot surprisingly, forecasters are predicting an extra snowy, cold winter in West County for the 2017-18 season. You can hunker down with a wool blanket and hide for the duration of the season—or embrace the frosty air with a “bucket list” of fun winter activities! From snowshoeing to bouncing, there are plenty of outdoor and indoor things to do this winter—not to mention the winter festivals and classes offered at places like Asbury Woods and the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. With a little bit of research and planning, you can find fun things to do with your family all season long. Snowshoe at Asbury Woods Starting in December, Asbury Woods has four and half miles of trails available that range from easy to difficult terrain for all experience levels. You can snowshoe or cross-country ski when there is at least a six-inch snow base. Equipment rentals are available. Don’t worry if you’ve never been snowshoeing before—Asbury Woods offers clinics throughout the winter. Take in a Movie at TREC For an affordable and educational movie experience, take in a show at the Tom Ridge Environmental Ce nter’s Big Green Screen Theater. Show times are usually on the hour during the day and alternate different movies. The movies are less than an hour so they are good for short attention spans, and feature interesting topics ranging from butterflies to aircraft carriers. Check the website for show times. Jump Around at a Trampoline Park For the super energetic or for those who have super-energetic kids who need to burn off some energy, a trampoline park is good for getting the blood flowing. The thousands of square feet of trampolines at Get Air Trampoline Park provide a perfect place for flipping out or bouncing your winter blues away. Cross-Country Ski at Presque Isle Starting in mid-November, depending on snow conditions, the trails at Presque Isle are open for cross-country skiing. This family-friendly winter activity gets you moving, burns a lot of calories and gets you outside for some fresh air while taking advantage of one of our best assets, Presque Isle. Visit Shelter #1 near the Waterworks ponds to rent cross-country skis if you need them. Go Glow Golfing Indoors Just because it’s frigid outside does not mean you can’t play miniature golf. PlayPort has a nine-hole indoor miniature golf course that is great for all ages. Play golf under the black lights and take in the glow golf experience. Admission to PlayPort includes one round of golf and you can take advantage of the extensive arcade and concessions too. ■ West County | Winter 2017 | icmags.com 15