The Cure for Cabin Fever

Go Skiing

  • Ski Sundown located in New Hartford features 15 trails, 2 terrain parks, skiing and snowboarding, beginner through advanced trails, lessons for children — seniors, equipment rental packages, a welcome center, a ski shop, beautiful scenery (including a babbling brook and a pond nestled amongst tall pines!), indoor dining and a great big outdoor deck. Enjoy lunch — they offer BBQ and beer on tap — while you watch the action. Open 7 days a week, 10am — 10pm (with night skiing beneath the lights). Bonus: half day ski (4 hours) doesn’t begin until you hop on the chairlift. No time pressures!
  • Mohawk Mountain Ski Area located in Cornwall offers skiing and snowboarding, rental packages, lessons for youth — seniors, a ski shop, and night skiing on weekends until 10pm.
  • Woodbury Ski and State Park located in Woodbury offers alpine skiing, a terrain park, a snowboard park, a ski school with racing programs, snowtubing, snowshoeing, 20 miles of cross country ski trails, night skiing, and a 380-foot long carpet lift service, which is perfect for cross country skiing. Open until 10pm.
  • The Mount Southington Ski Area located in Southington is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It boasts 14 trails, dining, lessons, ski and snowboard rentals, and a ski shop. Open until 10pm. 
  • The White Memorial Foundation located in Litchfield features over 35 miles of cross country ski trails, a museum, and historic buildings. Open Monday — Saturday, 9am — 5pm and Sundays, 12 — 5pm.

Gone Fishing

  • Learn about the fun and interesting sport of Ice Fishing. The CT Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) has Certified Instructors who offer a wide variety of opportunities for you to learn all you need to know about fishing. The curriculum is designed for families ages 9 and up. In January, ten classes are offered in different towns throughout CT, as well as two events: Family Ice Fishing Derby on Coventry Lake on January 25th and a Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington on February 1st. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.ct.gov/deep for more information or www.cabelas.com to purchase gear.

Snowtube the Slopes

  • Woodbury Ski Area in Woodbury offers over 15 different tubing courses spread out over 3 separate areas. The Whoop de Doo reigns supreme with the longest run, and the Tapawingo Boob Tube is open at night. Family size tubes are available.
  • Winding Trails in Farmington features a 150-foot tubing hill with a moderate 20 degree slope. There are many other activities offered as well if you’d like to spend the day — skiing, skating, sledding, and snowshoeing. Rent a tube ($6 each) or BYOT.
  • Pine Rock Field located in Hamden also has a great snow tubing area and is considered a public park so has no admission fee. The run is approx 300 feet long with a 35 degree angle. Bring your own tubes.
  • Also in Hamden: Brooksvale Recreation Park is a nature reserve that has two tubing hills, hiking trails, free admission, restrooms and a nice pond — bring your skates along!

Snowshoe Hiking (BYOS)

  • The White Memorial Foundation is nestled in the hills of Litchfield, making it a great spot for snowshoeing enthusiasts with over 30 miles of ungroomed trails to choose from. Open year round and admission is free. Tip: bring binoculars — rare bird sightings are quite common in this nature preserve.
  • Holcomb Farm located in West Granby offers a unique snowshoeing experience. This 357 acre property is a working historic farm, and features 10 miles of marked looped trails. Free admission.
  • Westwood’s Trail in Guilford offer 39 miles of great exploring, with varied terrain including caves, rock formations, marshes, a ‘Lost Lake’ and more. Open year round.
  • The Naugatuck State Forest in Beacon Falls and The Weir Farm located in Wilton also offer many lovely acres of snowshoeing trails. Both are open year round and are free.

Close to Home

The Westport PAL Rink at Longshore is one of our favorites. Skate beside the beautiful Long Island Sound, skate to the tunes playing and enjoy refreshments in the indoor dining area (hot chocolate suggested). Skate rental and sharpening is available, as are lessons and hockey programs. Tip: watch the sunset on skates.

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