When winter comes, many of us tend to hunker down and get cozy inside.
The Scandinavian cold-weather hygge lifestyle has been popular in recent years — cuddling up in fuzzy sweaters and blankets, making a cup of tea and a pot of soup, reading a book or watching a movie, inviting friends over for game night.
After a month or two, though, there’s a danger of feeling cooped up. Coziness can turn to cabin fever.
That’s your body telling you that it’s time to get outside. Fresh air, even if it’s frigid, can be good for you.
Here are some of the health benefits of breathing fresh air, from Long Island Weight Loss Institute:
• It helps clear your lungs. Fresh air generally has higher levels of oxygen than indoor air, improving cleansing and tissue repair within the lungs.
• It can boost energy and mental focus. As you breathe more fresh air, the oxygen levels in your blood go up, helping you feel energized and improving concentration and memory.
• It lowers blood pressure and heart rate. When there isn’t enough oxygen to go around, your heart works harder to make sure what’s available gets where it needs to go.
• It helps you heal faster from illness and injuries. Since cells require oxygen, replacing damaged cells increases your body’s demand for air.
• It can improve digestion. Getting outside and breathing deeply helps us relax, allowing blood flow to divert from the brain and muscles to the digestive system.
Adjust your attitude
“During covid, people were coming out of the woodwork to get outside,” said Shelly Tichy, president of the Westmoreland Conservancy. “Being outdoors is so good for our well-being at any time of the year.”
People often think negatively about winter, so it might take an attitude adjustment to get out and enjoy it.
“There’s so much life around you,” Tichy said. “When you’re walking, you can find a mouse track in the snow or the footprint of a bird. Winter brings out the inner child that we lose as we get older. Winter is so very good to reconnect us with the things we used to do and take pleasure in, like sledding or skating.
“I really do think that can change your whole mindset. Being outside is good not just for your physical health, but for your mental health, too,” she said.
With that in mind, here are some ways to get outside and enjoy what’s left of the Western Pennsylvania winter.
Go downhill
The Jan. 30 afternoon skiing session at Boyce Park in Plum was full as skiers waited to ride the magic carpet up to the top of the smaller hill or the ski lift to reach the higher slope and terrain park.
Despite the cold — the high temperature was 25 degrees, according to Accuweather — people still came.
“Attendance has been great,” said John Peterson, snow sports school director at Boyce Park. “Embrace the cold, and enjoy being outdoors. There are so many things to do outside this time of year. Winter in Pittsburgh can be fun. And, this year there is plenty of snow.”
With the recent accumulations and lower temperatures in January, he predicts winter activities should be thriving into March.
Peterson said most sessions have been selling out. He noticed an increase in attendance during the pandemic. People were looking for something to do safely and outdoor activities are perfect for that.
“During the pandemic, a lot of families found outdoor sports and exercises are something they all could do,” Peterson said. “They discovered they like skiing and snowboarding, and they’ve been coming back.”
Boyce Park is located not far from Greensburg, Downtown or the Allegheny-Kiski Valley. It has two hills for skiers and a terrain park for snowboarders as well as snow tubing. Sessions are four hours for skiing and two-hour intervals for snow tubing.
“Boyce Park is the best place to learn to ski,” said Jim Jacobs, a ski patroller there for 42 years. “It is so great to see so many families out here. I watched a young boy showing his grandfather how to ski.”
Kailyn Schneider, Kaleb Schneider and Jason Schneider of Freeport have come to Boyce Park a few times this season.
They were attending the afternoon session.
“We are having fun out here,” said Jason Schneider, a skier. “I tried to get them to ski, but they want to snowboard, which is OK as long as they are enjoying it. Spending this time together is great.”
About an hour from Pittsburgh is Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Alex Moser, director of marketing and communications for the resort, said “getting outside is always good for the mind and soul — especially during a pandemic.”
Seven Springs is at a season-high with 31 of 33 slopes and trails open, Moser said. In addition to dressing in layers, Moser suggests making frequent stops inside to keep warm. And be sure to drink enough fluids.
“We have had consistent snowfall this week with a base at a season-high of 46”-50,” Moser said. “The cold temperatures have also allowed for some fantastic snow-making opportunities.”
Visit a county park
Allegheny County’s nine parks, including the aforementioned Boyce Park, offer many winter activities.
North and South Park have outdoor ice skating rinks and are open until mid-March, weather permitting.
Encompassing 3,075 acres in Hampton, McCandless and Pine townships, North Park features a 65-acre lake.
South Park encompasses 2,013 acres in Bethel Park and South Park Township.
Parks have plenty of snow, said Andy Grobe, assistant deputy director for Allegheny County parks. He said the areas are usually busy this time of year, but he’s noticed more usage the past two years during the pandemic.
“We struggled with snow through Christmas, but in the days after it was like a light switch turned on — we had so much snow,” Grobe said.
County rangers offer guided hikes as well as snowshoeing lessons starting with beginners. Class sizes are small to make sure there is enough equipment for everyone.
“Regardless of the weather, people will be out in the parks,” Grobe said. “We tell them to dress for the weather. Winter sports and activities help people stay in shape while they enjoy being outside.”
“People are out in the parks every day all year long, snow or sun,” said Lauren Jones, communications coordinator for Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation.
At the very least, you can take a stroll along the many paths in Westmoreland County’s four parks — Cedar Creek in Rostraver, Mammoth in Mt. Pleasant Township, Twin Lakes east of Greensburg and Northmoreland in Allegheny Township.
Most of the trails are not cleared of snow, but there’s enough traffic to tramp them down to a hard pack, Jones said.
The exception is the path around the upper lake at Twin Lakes, which is cleared for walkers. The path around the lower lake is expressly left snow-covered for use by cross-country skiers.
The sledding and tubing area in the Twin Lakes expansion area is popular, and there’s also a new area this year at Cedar Creek that has three downhill runs and a fire pit.
Even without a dedicated area, you’ll find people sledding and tubing in all of the parks.
“The other parks don’t have marked areas, but wherever there’s a hill, people can sled,” Jones said. “If there’s enough snow, you can get a good run.”
Catch a fish
When ice covers the lakes at Mammoth, Twin Lakes and Northmoreland parks, the anglers come back out.
Like other times of the year, people fishing through the ice need to have the proper Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission license.
“One thing we don’t do is monitor the ice thickness, so people need to follow all (PFBC) guidelines for safe ice,” said parks and recreation director Brandon Simpson. “Each person going out there to fish needs to check to make sure there’s proper ice thickness.
“They also need to have all the safety apparatuses needed, should they go through the ice,” he said.
Red ladders are positioned around the lakes to slide out to reach a person who has gone into the water.
“They’re catching a lot of trout right now. The cold water is good for trout, crappie, perch, catfish, bass,” Simpson said. “Pretty much anything you can catch in the spring and summer season, you can catch in the ice.”
PFBC guidelines also determine how many fish can be kept.
“There’s a short window for ice fishing, which is pretty much the same most years,” Simpson said. “You get about two months out of the season, typically January and February. After that, the ice isn’t safe.”
Ice skating is not allowed on the lakes because there no is park staff to monitor skaters.
“In our park ordinance, we would only allow ice skating if we had an attendant on duty, and we haven’t had that for years,” Simpson said. “The main reason for that is that people who go out to ice skate typically don’t have any safety gear, like life vests or ice picks. Ice fishing people have to have all that stuff, so it’s a lot safer, should they get into trouble.”
Lace up those skates
Western Pennsylvania has plenty of outdoor ice rinks. The newest is located in SouthSide Works on Pittsburgh’s South Side. It opened in mid-December and will be available through the end of February. The rink is located next to the Hyatt on South Water Street.
The UPMC Rink at PPG Place in Downtown Pittsburgh, located in PPG Plaza between Third and Fourth avenues, is larger than the one in Rockefeller Center in New York City, according to its website.
The rink is open through Feb. 27. As skaters glide along the ice, they will encircle a 360-degree immersive tree that lights up and plays music.
The 60-foot-high structure is decorated with more than 103,200 lights and thousands of ornaments. The tree has a sophisticated computer programming system and can perform more than 150 choreographed musical shows, which skaters can watch while on the ice as well as during Zamboni resurfacing.
This is its 21st season for the rink, one of the first outdoor rinks for Florida-based Magic Ice USA, which manages rinks across the country. More than 1 million people have skated there.
The Schenley Park Skating Rink celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2020. The $1.4 million project was paid for by money from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the Schenley Ice Rink Trust Fund and the city.
The rink is known for its annual Citiparks Mascot Skate, where more than 30 costumed characters take to the ice, and its Valentine’s Day skate on Feb. 14.
The renovations included replacing the concrete and piping of the foundation. The repairs took several months.
The entire concrete rink was rebuilt and now has 13 miles of pipe underneath. There is also new, more efficient LED lighting, hockey team benches and seating for spectators. A sound system was also installed, along with dasher boards and plexiglass.
The rink is 200 feet long by 85 feet wide, which is the rink’s original footprint. The logo at center ice was created by artist Dan Buczynski, who works in the city’s sign shop.
Head for the Highlands
From snowshoes and skis to fat-tire bikes, snowmobiles and dog sleds, people are going to find a way to enjoy the mountain ridges in the wintertime. But there are some crucial things to remember about heading to Forbes State Forest right now.
“Our roads are not maintained in the winter, so you’re traveling at your own risk,” said environmental education specialist Rachel Mahony. “If you get yourself stuck, it might be really bad, because you’re going to have to get yourself out. And you won’t have cell service, so you can’t call a tow truck.”
An all-wheel or four-wheel-drive vehicle is the best way to go at this time of year. Prospective adventurers also should be mindful of weather conditions — and how quickly those can change.
“In the last couple of weeks, we’ve had a lot of people push their luck and end up getting stuck,” Mahony said. “There are lots of opportunities to get out and recreate, you just have to do so smartly and be prepared.”
During the winter, roads and trails are designated for different uses. For instance, hikers aren’t supposed to be tramping on top of cross-country ski tracks.
Road-use signs are posted and trees along trails have different colored blazes to signify intended use.
The best way to educate yourself before you go is by searching online for the Forbes State Forest “Winter Recreation Etiquette and Safety” brochure.
“It’s a one-stop shop for information,” Mahony said. “It provides the meaning of trail blaze designations, winter safety tips, main recreation uses and trails suggested for those uses. We try to mitigate user conflicts by communicating accurate information, and hope that everyone will be considerate of other trail users.”
The Pennsylvania Cross Country Ski Association website is another source of valuable information, Mahony said. The site provides access to several webcams that indicate snow depths and weather conditions across the Laurel Ridge.
Snowmobilers can search “PA State Forest Snowmobile Trails” for maps of trails by region, along with weather conditions, on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.
“Winter is definitely my favorite time out here,” Mahony said. “You don’t have insects, there are no gnats in your face. It’s a nice time of the year, and it’s definitely very busy in the Laurel Highlands.”
Organized activities
Forbes State Forest has scheduled these free February activities:
• Sweetheart Snowshoe, 6 p.m. Feb. 18 — The gentle 2- to 2.5-mile snowshoe trek for ages 18 and up will begin and end at the same Laurel Mountain location, where food and beverages will be available.
• Roaring Run Ramble, 9 a.m. Feb. 19 — The moderate-to-strenuous hike in Roaring Run Natural Area will cover about 8 miles through the snow.
Space is limited for both programs. Location will be provided upon registration. For more information or to register, call 724-259-2201 or email [email protected].
The Westmoreland Conservancy will host these upcoming Murrysville-area programs:
• Apple tree rehab/restoration, 9:30 a.m. Feb. 19 at Morosini Reserve — Learn to care for an apple tree by tending to one of the old-variety trees on site. Each participating group will choose a tree on which to practice and adopt for future maintenance through this annual project.
• Winter Walk, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at King Reserve — Explore the South Trail and discover edible plants along the way.
For information and registration, visit the Westmoreland Conservancy’s website.
Get left out in the cold
If you venture out, know that most attractions require online registration and payment.
Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing
Seven Springs
Where: 777 Water Wheel Drive, Champion
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday
Admission: Lift tickets start at $40, Snow tubing tickets start at $28
Details: 800-452-2223 or www.7springs.com
Boyce Park
Where: 675 Old Frankstown Road, Plum
Skiing and snowboarding
Hours: 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: Lift tickets start at $15, tubing tickets start at $17
Snow tubing
Hours: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Details: 724-733-4656 or www.alleghenycounty.us or www.alleghenycounty.us
Ice skating
South Park
Where: 30 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park
Hours: 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $6
Details: 412-833-1499 or www.alleghenycounty.us
North Park
Where: 1101 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park
Hours: 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $6
Details: 724-935-1280 or www.alleghenycounty.us
The UPMC Rink at PPG Place
Where: One PPG Place, Downtown Pittsburgh
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday (operating on 1 hour and 45-minute sessions)
Admission: $11-$12 for adults, $10-$11 for children age 12 and younger, $10-$11 for seniors
Details: 412-394-3641 or www.ppgplace.com
Schenley Park
Where: 10341 Overlook Drive (Near the Tennis Courts), Schenley Park
Hours: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for 17 and under
Details: 412-422-6523 or pittsburghpa.gov
SouthSideWorks Winter Ice Rink
Where: 424 S. 27th St., Pittsburgh’s South Side
Hours: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $10 for adults, $7 for children 10 and under
Details: 412-710-7220 or southsideworks.com
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-5750, [email protected] or via Twitter .
Categories:
Editor’s Picks | Lifestyles | More Lifestyles | Outdoors | Regional | Top Stories
[ad_2]
Originally Appeared Here