opportunities for children and adults to try on snowshoes and
cross country skis free of charge.
Both Reinstein and Tifft Nature Preserve offer snow-
shoe rentals during the entire winter season for kids and adults,
which is a fun way to take a winter hike when there is snow
on the ground. Because the snowshoe distributes your body
weight over a wider area, you are able to walk on top of the
snow instead of having your foot sink in with each step. Kids
are always excited to realize they can walk on the snow, and
the snowshoes allow you to explore nature trails that would
otherwise be cumbersome with traditional shoes.
Check each park’s website for their education center
hours and snowfall hours before going to be sure snowshoes
are available to rent.
Cross-Country Skiing for the Family
Reinstein Woods is also a great place to try cross-country
skiing, especially if you need to rent skis. They have a limited
number of adult and youth skis available, so they suggest call -
ing ahead. Winter rental hours are Monday-Friday from 9am-
4:30pm, and Saturdays from 1pm-4:30pm.
Another great option for cross-country skiing, especially
if you need rentals or want to try a lesson, is Byrncliff Golf
Resort in Varysburg (about 35 minutes south of Buffalo). By-
rncliff is one of just a few local places that have groomed
cross-country ski trails, rentals, and lessons. They boast 12
miles of trails, five of which stay lit for evening ski hours, and
are open Sunday-Wednesday from 9am-5pm, and Thursday-
Saturday from 9am-9pm.
Family Friendly Year Round
Ice-Skating Fun!
•Parent & Child Skating Sessions
•Preschool / Toddler Skate
(Morning and Afternoon Sessions Available)
• Public Sessions all week long
Buy One Get One FREE
PUBLIC SKATE
EXCLUDES HOCKEY SESSIONS
WNYF
Expires: 3/31/19
Private Rinkside Birthday
Parties & Meeting Rooms
Book Your Next Event With Us! Call 631-7555
Visit us online for public skate schedules:
www.northtowncenteratamherst.com
Northtown Center at Amherst
1615 Amherst Manor Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
If you own cross-country skis, many local parks permit
cross- country skiing including Como Lake Park, Akron
Falls, Elma Meadows (which does groom their trails), and
Chestnut Ridge.
Try Hot Cocoa Somewhere New!
When all else fails and you simply need to get out of the
house, but don’t feel like bundling everyone up for outdoor
activities, create your own hot cocoa outing. There are dozens
of small bakeries and coffee shops in our local communities
that, in the busyness of life, we often pass right by.
Be intentional this month to jot down the names of one or
two of them while you’re out so that when everyone is looking
for something to do during winter break you know just where
to go for a fresh baked treat and something warm to drink.
You could even consider doing a quick online search for
“conversation starters,” print out a list of questions, and throw
them in your pocket. Good conversation goes a long way on a
cold winter day, and seems to be a good skill to practice in our
cell phone crazy culture.
Lisa Littlewood is a freelance writer who lives in Lancaster,
N.Y. with her husband and three girls who are 11, 10, and 5.
She loves to run, try new restaurants, and ski with her family
when they can squeeze it in!
February 2019 WNY Family 7