Outdoors in Winter

Don't get the winter blues! It may be easy to be depressed over the remaining winter months ahead, especially when it has been so cold. But push through it and keep in mind that our region is flush with outdoor opportunities to keep you occupied until Spring. Yes, you can definitely ski but check out these other activities that are fun for the whole family.

This area has many awesome ski resorts making it easier than ever to hit the slopes for the day. Consider thinking outside the box - snowshoeing. An old-time classic, this sport is a great way to explore the area and may be a bit easier for younger children. Hilltop Orchard in Richmond and White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield are incredibly popular and bucolic areas for snowshoeing. Cranwell Resort in Lenox also offers snowshoeing (as well as cross-country skiing and skating), the perfect combination of enjoying the outdoors and then heading inside for a spa treatment.

After skiing, ice skating and sledding are pretty synonymous with wintertime. Of course, with the days as cold as they have been lately, virtually any lake or pond will do for skating. However check out Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington or Twin Lakes in Lakeville. The many hills in our region make for great sledding and, while the backyard options are free, some ski resorts offer tubing for a fee. This is definitely worth it for the ride on the lift alone once you get to the bottom! Check out Woodbury Ski Area, Ski Butternut, and Bousquet Mountain in Pittsfield. And think creatively for sledding areas...people even head to Tanglewood to enjoy viewing Lion's Gate on the way down.

Cross-country skiing is great because you don't need to be an expert to participate. Down-hill skiing can be a little more difficult and requires practice but you can cross-country ski from the first time you strap on a pair of skis. Previously mentioned Cranwell, Woodbury Ski Area and White Memorial offer cross-country skiing as well as Canterbury Farm in Becket for those one-of-a-kind Berkshire views.

The first day of Spring is March 20, a long way away. Don't get discouraged and don't get the winter blues. Stay active and, if all else fails, buy an artificial sunlamp.

For further listings and contact information, check out Winter Sports at www.berkshirestyle.com