As the seasons begin to change from orange autumn leaves to crisp winter snowfall, students are faced with the challenge of finding ways to enjoy their free time. Many of us will find ourselves caught up in our rooms doing homework or staying warm under blankets. Though that can be nice, it can also be beneficial to venture outside every once in a while, especially before it starts to get too cold. It can be hard to find ways to stay entertained throughout the colder months, but I can assure you that there is plenty to do.
One way to get involved with outdoor activities in Grand Forks is to go sledding or ice skating at the local parks. There are sledding hills at both Lincoln and Riverside Park along with ice skating rinks with warming houses where gear can be rented. A few other places to skate indoors are Blue Line Club Arena and the ICON Sports Center. Most of the parks in town also have outdoor rinks and are close to campus; you can actually go skating at University Park.
There is also plenty to do outside of town if you find yourself free and feeling adventurous on a weekend. Just 20 miles out of town is Turtle River State Park. Beautiful throughout all seasons, Turtle River has much to offer. During the winter months, their sledding hill is open to anyone who goes to the park and is perfect for all ages. There are also lots of cross-country skiing trails and snowshoeing opportunities. The hiking trails will still be open, and it can be fun to trudge through the snow on a cooler day. If you are willing to drive a bit further, about 100 miles north is Frost Fire, a ski area. There are lots of different outdoor activities throughout the year at Frost Fire, but the main attractions in the winter include skiing and snowboarding.
If outdoor activities in winter are not your thing, there is plenty to do indoors as well. To stay warm on a cold day, you could try checking out a new coffee shop. Of course, you could always stop at Archives Coffee House here on campus across from the Chester Fritz Auditorium. They always have fun events going on and new seasonal drinks to try. If you feel like venturing off campus, you could visit a Grand Forks staple, Urban Stampede, located downtown. The cozy environment with kind staff can be a great place to sit with a warm drink or bagel and study outside of the cold.
The winter months can really take a toll on the mental health of students, so it is important to prioritize finding ways to stay entertained. These are just a few ways to do that. You might consider trying something new this winter season.
Nora Lee is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].
