11 Winter Activities for College Students Living Near Snow

By Nayra Mendoza on February 5, 2017

Winter activities are a thrill for the thrill-seekers and a new challenge for the summer babes.

College campuses located in snowy regions of the country have a different idea of “fun” that appeals to their students. While many are probably used to the snow, others may have just moved to a winter town and underestimated the weather.

Whatever your situation is, I have multiple solutions to take on the snow and avoid being bored all day.

For the Active Bodies

Snowboarding

This sport is hard to learn at first, but you can master it easily if you can get the “stay standing” part down. Because your body is only facing one side, your vision will be partially impaired, so watch out for other people on the slopes.

GIF via tumblr.com

Gear may be expensive, so ask a friend for equipment or your recreational center for rentals.

Skiing

Unlike snowboarding, skiing is easy to learn yet harder to master. Because your body is proportionally distributed on the skis, it’ll be easier to go down the slope. Do not be fooled. You still have to learn how to gain enough momentum to slide down the hill. Don’t forget you also have to know how to slow down to prevent breaking a bone.

Ice Skating

Who here has seen Ice Princess? How about a hockey game? Ice skaters make it look so graceful and elegant.

Because everyone has to start somewhere, I promise no one will judge you for mustering up the courage to get on the slippery ice. Everyone sucks at it so you might as well just go for it.

GIF via giphy.com

If you’re not feeling very adventurous, simply people-watch and look after your friends. Just be sure you’re laughing with your pals and not at them.

Indoor Sports

You don’t have to be outside during the winter to stay active. Some college sports played in the winter season are swimming, indoor tennis, and basketball among others. Gather some friends or individually join a team on the intramural league and enjoy getting your heart rate up.

For the Clumsies

Not everyone can be Sean White. Only Sean White can be Sean White.

GIF via giphy.com

For my fellow students that still want to enjoy the snow without risking a sports injury, do not fear. Here are ways you can participate in the fun, too.

Sledding

If you are not hand-eye coordinated, you can easily slide down the snow without even touching the ground. That’s right — I’m talking about sledding.

Get your snow sleds up the hill and take turns with friends sliding down. If you have more than one sled, start a race. Losers buy pizza for dinner.

Snowball War

I’ve always wanted to start — and win — a snowball fight.

winter activities

GIF via makeagif.com

Show off your impressive throwing skills in a snowball fight and establish your dominance as King of the North.

Snowman Competition

Stage a competition between friends to see who can make the biggest, smallest, squarest, ugliest, or most fashionable snowman. You can also kick the competition up a notch with “Pin the Hat on the Snowman.”

Game Night

Pull out all of your board games, cards, and game pieces for some indoor, exercise-free entertainment.

For the Unaccustomed

For those students that moved to a state whose low temperatures they weren’t accustomed to, you probably weren’t expecting it to be this cold. To make matters worse, you are now incredibly homesick for palm trees, beaches, and sand volleyball. It’s okay, they’re still there. You just aren’t.

Luckily, you don’t have to force your warm-blooded body to endure the cold weather. Here are some winter activities you can do in your warm, dry home.

Baking with Friends

Maybe I’m just a huge sweets person, but I love making, decorating, and eating cookies with my family and friends. It is such an easy and fun time with people that you love. Although I am always ready to bake cookies at any point in the year, winter holiday cookie cutters are my favorite to use. Santa hats, stockings, snowmen, and snowflake cookies. Sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodle cookies. I could go on and on forever.

GIF via food52.com

Stay Inside and Binge Watch Your Favorite Shows

This is probably my favorite activity on this list. Having an actual reason for Netflixing all day is probably the best way to procrastinate homework and studying. And if you’ve already watched all the best shows and movies on Netflix, you can always find something of interest on HBO Go, Hulu, or Amazon Video.

Start Up The Fireplace

Speaking as an environmentalist, blasting the heater all winter is not the smartest way to stay warm. Speaking as a cheapskate, it is also not a cost-efficient move. Save on your electric bill by lighting a fire instead. Complete the cozy mood with some hot cocoa and a great book.

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