As the days get shorter and the weather turns colder it is a sure sign that winter is right around the corner. Now for some people it's best to just hunker down, wait it out and reappear in the spring, kind of like Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog. For others, however, especially in New England it's best to bundle up and ride the mountain, taking in all the fresh air and great views. Yet, if you are new to the area or have spent the winter trying to catch snowflakes on your tongue you may be unprepared for such winter activities as skiing, sledding, skating and snowboarding.
So, if you are waiting by the sidelines for winter to come and go, wait no longer. Take The Situation (hehehe) into your own hands and get prepared for a winter full of fun outdoor madness. The more it snows, the more fun you'll have.
The biggest hurdle to overcome besides the cold is the money involved in affording such fun. Well, although the outdoors is free, most of the activities are not and equipment can be somewhat costly. But, instead of saying "forget it" please keep reading.
Not to bury the lead, but if you are looking for skis, snowboards, boots or bindings and the cost has you twitching, you can go to Building 19 in Burlington, MA for their mega ski sale this Saturday (10/23). If you get their early enough you'll be shredding in style. The quality and pricing may vary, but you can expect to find gear starting at $40 and up.
If you are unable to make it on Saturday, there are still deals to be had. Play it Again Sports is another great solution for building your winter activity portfolio. There are several locations, but as the name implies you are buying gently used or refurbished equipment.
If you are inclined towards purchasing items online there are a few great websites to check out. Backcountryoutlet.com offers a huge discount on clothing and gear. Sometimes colors and sizing are limited, but you can always check for deals on the main site, Backcountry.com. Steapandcheap.com is another online retailer that offers one deal at a time until either the clock runs out (every 20 minutes) or until the items are sold. You can expect to find a range of items from clothing, shoes, and camping gear to coats, bags and sunglasses. Steapandcheap will also display deals from its cousin websites such as Tramdock.com, WhiskeyMilitia.com and Chainlove.com. Each of the above sites specializes either in winter/ski gear, skateboarding gear, etc.
With all of your gear squared away you will be ready to hit the slopes in no time. Getting inexpensive lift tickets, however, can be another hurdle, but if you begin your search early enough you should be able to snag a great deal. Some mountains, including Wachusett and Nashoba Valley will discount their season passes if you buy before a certain day. Also, lift tickets are cheaper at night or when purchased in a group.
If you would rather spend your time on a frozen pond or at a rink there are several to choose from. Of course, ponds are free you just need the skates which you can get at a thrift store, discount retailer, etc. As for an ice rink, between the Frog Pond in Boston or the skating facilities at Nashoba, you'll be able to rent skates and have access to the rink for roughly $12 per session.
With all of these winter activities you will be able to conquer the cold, save money and it will be spring again before you know.
See you on the Northface,
Savvy Student
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