Bundling up and walking through a local park

In our house, we have a system for coming back inside on snow days. We lay down towels by the back door for removing wet boots and clothes. Coats and snow pants get tossed in the dryer. Hats and gloves are strewn out over the heating vents. We make lots of hot chocolate with extra mini marshmallows — but not until after we get some outside time. And definitely not until the driveway and sidewalk have been shoveled.

When it snows in State College, it opens up a whole world of outdoor play. Downtown, neighborhoods and natural areas are transformed in quiet beauty. There’s so much to do here when it snows. Here’s a list of some of our favorite snow day activities in no particular order:

Winter Walking

It sounds simple — and it is — but there’s something magical about getting out before the streets have been plowed (or after too). A walk downtown to get a coffee or hot chocolate can feel like a little adventure. When our kids were tiny, we would pile them into a sled with blankets and walk them around the neighborhood on winter “good night” walks. (I swear they always slept better on those nights!)

Cross country skiing around the Penn State Golf Course with friends

Cross Country Skiing

This is my favorite way to move my body when there’s enough snow. There are so many trails throughout the Scotia Gamelands that it’s easy to get lost! I recommend going with a friend who knows their way around. The terrain can get a little hilly in spots — which can be fun.  For a wide, flat ski I opt for Spring Creek Canyon. The trail follows the water for a long stretch and the rock faces are dramatic along the canyon. When I am short on time, I head out to the Penn State Golf Course. It’s just a short ski from my house and there’s a great trail that loops around the whole course. There’s even a trail system that starts just behind Boal City Brewing, one of our area’s newest hubs for outdoor enthusiasts and craft brew.

Ice Skating

The Village Ice Rink at Blue Spring Park is maintained by Centre Region Parks and Rec and is open to the public for skating and ice hockey at designated times. Frozen Colyer Lake and Black Moshannon offer natural skating just a short drive from State College.

Sledding

For the longest and steepest rides, locals know that Slab Cabin Park is the place to go. There are options to start at the top of the hill or to launch lower down the 300-foot main run. Sledders often build jumps into the hill — they can really send you flying! The hill is lit up from 5-11 PM for night sledding. Community Field closer to downtown is a classic meet up spot with a wide steep hill. Kids of all ages sled here.

Snowy day date at Tussey Mountain w/ my Dan (our kids are on the mountain too somewhere…)

Downhill Skiing

Two of my kids are ski racers on the Tussey Mountain Race Team, so we spend a lot of time at Tussey Mountain. This mountain and its ski programs for people of all ages and abilities is something we can’t stop talking about here at Rediscover. You can read more here to learn more about how we like to say State College is a Ski Town.

Snow Tubing

This is a great activity to do with a group of friends at Tussey Mountain. For ages 6 and up, you make a reservation for a 90 minute time slot for $30. It could be fun to time this with another mountain event and catch some live tunes in the lodge after with some food and drink.

Hiking in Musser Gap with my friend Kelly. (I am trying to convince her family to move here.)

Hiking

There is nothing like the quiet and beauty of the woods in winter time. Musser Gap, Shingletown and Rothrock State Forest  are all just short drives from downtown State College. Depending on conditions, you may want to put some ice spikes on your boots or my favorite option — Yaktrax to keep you from slipping on icy trails.

Backyard fire with neighbors

Fires Outside

Another simple and free option for hanging out with friends in winter. We love the coziness and quiet of fires in the snow. Even better with a hot beverage. Fires outside can be a great way to meet your neighbors.

Shoveling Driveways and Sidewalks

Hand your kids a shovel and send them out around the neighborhood to offer their services. Our daughter’s two 11 year-old friends reportedly made over $300 in one day earlier this week!

We are fortunate to have local outfitters like Appalachian Outdoors, The Bike Roost and Freeze Thaw Cycles to keep us well geared up for winter conditions. You know what they say: There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.

See you in the woods or on the slopes!