What’s getting you out of the house?
Let’s take a pause from the endless (we’re guilty!) “what to do” lists. We asked Saratogians: What’s actually getting you out of the house during these peak ‘winter doldrums’?

Finding fun new things to do in the middle of an Upstate New York winter requires…a certain mindset. So we asked Saratogians what is actually getting them out of the comforts of their warm houses and into the great outdoors.
Lydia Mawad, pediatrician at Amsterdam Internal Medicine & Pediatrics
“I’m going ice skating this year! And I want to try cross-country skiing.”
Where To Go:
Saratoga Springs offers two indoor ice skating rinks on Weibel Avenue, from Olympic to NHL-size. You can rent skates there. (Those and other nearby ones on saratoga.com.) Plus, there are a number of public ponds and lakes to tackle if you’ve got your own blades.
Lesley Hostetter, EVP at Lautman Maska Neill & Co:
“I’m looking forward to using my Indy Pass this year with my family, and checking out new-to-us mountains like Saskedena Six and Magic Mountain, as well as old favorites like Bolton Valley and West.
What’s the Indy Pass?
Buy one pass for access to 270+ resorts on four continents. Boo-ya!
Christa Hyland, social service provider at Wellspring Cares
“I want to go sledding more this year — both in my neighborhood and around town.”
Where To Go:
Options abound, from formal tubing and sledding activity centers at West Mountain and Lapland Lake, to killer hills at McGregor Links Country Club, Woods Hollow Nature Preserve, and Saratoga National Historical Park. (See saratoga.com for the most thorough roundup.)
Laura Tilton, manager and sales enablement
“I want to go cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing a lot this year.”
Where To Go:
Once again, Saratoga Springs and the surrounding areas abound with cross-country skiing options. Saratoga Spa State Park offers 12 miles of trails. Into the Woods Farm offers guides snowshoe adventures, with rentals available.
Kathleen Willcox, roving reporter and general global rover
“I am getting revved up for the Christmas Tree Disco Inferno!”
See you there?
Yup, I’ll be on the scene for the big event, which burns this year’s finished Christmas trees (it’s not too late to donate) during a brewery bash — and the money goes to the South Glens Falls Fire Dept. Read all the details here:
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