I don’t know about you, but I am not a fan of Wisconsin winters. The air carries the kind of cold that blows right through my numerous winter layers as I trudge to the World Affairs Center (WAC) and, God forbid, Hendricks. My already doubtful feet find Beloit’s hellish terrain even more tedious as ice spreads across the sidewalks. To top it all off, the dew point is incredibly low, so now my already dry skin can become as rough and cracked as the Beloit parking lots.

Believe me, I am not a fan of the cold. However, there are a few things you can convince even the freeziest of your freeze-baby friends to participate in. No one wants to miss a memorable moment with friends, even if it is outside in sub-zero temperatures. These are some things that you can participate in on and around campus during these cold weather months.

First up, and arguably my favorite, is sledding! Did you know that you can rent free sleds from the Powerhouse? Well, you can! This is a great activity that everyone can do. Trust me on this, it is better with friends. You can race or pile a few people onto one. Safely, people, safely. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re too old to sled. If you listen to them, you let society win. Don’t let society win; get on that sled. You can always get outside and have good old-fashioned fun! You don’t need much to have a snowball fight or build a snowman! Why stop at snowmen? Why not build an igloo? All you need is snow and determination.

On the topic of our very own Powerhouse, you can also rent ski equipment from the Gear Shack! Whether you prefer cross-country or downhill skiing, their page claims to have both types of skis, ski boots, and ski poles! Keep in mind, unless you’re an “I’m going to make my own type of path” person and are willing to cross-country ski around campus, you’ll need to find trails nearby. This is especially essential for downhill skiing, as this activity was not considered in the construction of the campus. Now, if only someone would do this research for you — well, that’s why I’m here! If you’re interested in cross-country skiing, you can check out Rockport Park in our neighboring city, Janesville, Wisconsin. That’s all I could find nearby, but you can always be a trailblazer! If downhill skiing is your poison, buckle up, because the two closest places are forty-five minutes away. There is Alpine Valley Resort in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and The Mountain Top Ski & Adventure Center at Grand Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Both have multiple pass options, so be sure to check their websites.

The final activity from our Powerhouse is snowshoeing. Now, technically, you can do this anywhere, but I recommend deeper snow. My credit comes from being a child forced into outdoor activities by her parents. I say forced, but I have to admit when I was younger sure I enjoyed it. Like many things, I soon outgrew that enjoyment. However, you can whip out these bad boys and trek through deeper snow at Beloit or join your cross-country skiing friends at Rockport Park, because they have some trails just for snowshoeing. 

Beloit’s very own Edwards Ice Arena has free skate hours from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults as long as you bring your student ID to count as a Beloit resident; non-residents pay $6. For some people, one dollar is the end of the world. You can rent skates there for the price of $3, a pretty cheap night if you ask me. 

Our winters only have to be as bad as you make them. Sure, the cold makes the walks around campus feel painfully longer (emphasis on the painfully), but the memories you can make in the snow with your friends might just redeem the blistering cold. Think about it this way: these activities are only possible during our winters, so get out there and take advantage of them when you can! The snow won’t last forever, hopefully.