It may seem like you and your family can't find many activities to entertain you during the winter months, but believe it or not, there are plenty of things to do when snow is falling all around. Western Maryland and Pennsylvania are loaded with different winter activities and venues that cater to families, such as skiing, snow tubing, sledding, ice skating and snowshoeing.
Skiing
Western Maryland and Pennsylvania have many ski areas and resorts to choose from. Ski Roundtop Mountain Resort in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, has slopes for skiing and snowboarding, and offers lessons and rentals. Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland, also offers a variety of skiing and snowboarding slopes, lessons and rentals. Enjoy down time and warm up in the venues' lodges. These are only two of the numerous ski areas found throughout western Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing
Several state parks in Pennsylvania and Maryland offer cross country skiing and snowshoeing, such as Maryland's Rocky Gap State Park in Flintstone and Savage River State Forest in Grantsville. Strap on your snowshoes or cross country skis, and go for a long hike in the forests. Pack a picnic and find a large log during your travels where you can eat lunch.
Dog Sledding
When most people think of sledding, they remember their wooden sleds of old. In Accident, Maryland, you can try sledding on a whole new level -- dog sledding. Try something different with your family as you're pulled along snow trails by up to 12 huskies. Visit the kennel and get to know the dogs. If there is no snow on the ground, there's no need to worry. The dogs also love to pull the sleds on wheels through the grass.
Ice Skating
Ice skating is great exercise, and it is entertaining for the whole family. Ice rinks rent skates, so even if you don't own a pair, you can still participate. York City Ice Arena in York, Pennsylvania, offers skating lessons and freestyle skating hours. You can also take lessons to learn how to play ice hockey. Most skating rinks have concessions and tables. Order food or pack a lunch and make a day of it. For an outdoor skating experience, visit Canal Place in Cumberland, Maryland. You and your family can skate along the C&O Canal. You'll have to bring your own skates, and while the National Park Service checks to make sure skating on the canal is safe, you still do so at your own risk.
Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is a lot like sledding, except you do it with a inner tube. Families can link together, with one in front of the other, or go solo. When you're linked, you can go down the hill together, like a train. Snow tubing slopes range from short hills to steep hills. York, Pennsylvania, has a snow tubing park, called AvalancheXpress. Beyond the snow tubing hills, the park offers fire pits and food buffet. Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland, has its own Bear Claw Snow Tubing Park. Resorts like these two have lifts to take you back up the hill.
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