Above picture courtesy of Nemacolin Mountain Resort.
Costume for the climate and head outdoors to take advantage of cold-weather adventures in Pittsburgh. Contemporary-air household outings are trending with a wealth of actions that fireplace up vitality. Don’t let dropping temperatures maintain you again. In the event you’re seeking to finish these “I’m-so-bored” days, look no additional! Right here’s our information to chilly climate enjoyable in Pittsburgh:
Winter festivals
1. Ligonier Ice Fest: This annual out of doors competition on Jan. 21 and 22 consists of greater than 50 ice sculptures, carriage rides and two free live shows, giving revelers the possibility to heat up within the City Corridor Auditorium. Massive Fats Jazz performs at 2 p.m. on Jan. 21 and Candle within the Wind performs at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 22.
2. Boyce Park Snowfest 2023: The Boyce Park Snowfest fills the day on Feb. 4 (midday to five p.m.) with thrilling actions like Mini Junior Olympics Ski and Snowboard Races for age classes from 5 to 12 years. Don’t miss the seventh-annual Cardboard Field Snow Tubing Derby (registration opens at 2:30 p.m.), which permits children to deliver sleds constructed from cardboard and duct tape to compete on the snow tubing hill. Children race in two age teams: children as much as 15 years and youngsters 16 years and older. The entry charge is $10 (or $5 with donation of a canned good). Entry charges profit the Boyce Park Ski Patrol, and canned items can be donated to the Larger Pittsburgh Group Meals Financial institution.
3. Winterfest: Winterfest celebrates the chilly climate season at two Pittsburgh-area State Parks on Feb. 4. Ohiopyle State Park will provide free snowshoe and cross-country ski demonstrations, horse-drawn sleigh rides for a donation and a bring-your-own-sled alternative to slip down the hill. Moraine State Park provides winter-themed actions like children’ crafts, winter recreation demonstrations, chainsaw carvings, chilly water fishing classes, stay music and a bonfire. Free for each areas.
Guided nature walks and hikes
4. Birds and Extra Nature Hikes: In search of a recent air outing? On varied dates all through the winter, be part of an Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania naturalist on the paths at Buffalo Creek Nature Park, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve and Succop Nature Park. Return typically and watch the woods remodel by way of the seasons. The continued morning walks are free, however registration is required.
5. Fledglings outings: These preschool periods provided by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania are designed for 3- to 5-year-olds. Grownup caregivers and their preschoolers will share a seasonal story, actions and a stroll alongside the paths at Buffalo Creek Nature Park, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve or Succop Nature Park. The theme modifications every month. January (taking place Jan. 10-13 at one location every of the times) provides Who Provides a Hoot (with a particular go to with an owl); February’s focus (Feb. 8, 9 and 14) is Run For Cowl (discovering holes and hiding locations); March heads Down the Maple Path (making maple syrup) on Mar. 8, 9 and 14. Registration is $8 for teenagers, and free for accompanying caregivers.
6. Seedlings: Winter Wonderland: The Pittsburgh Botanic Backyard collection, which runs on Thursdays from Jan. 18 by way of Feb. 22, presents a special theme every week that focuses on winter within the backyard. Children will search for animal tracks, discover the backyard’s completely different habitats and revel in a narrative studying. Designed for ages 3-6. Registration is $15 per week.
7. Hike With a Naturalist: Winter Tree Identification: Stroll by way of the woodlands of Frick Park with Naturalist Educator Stephen Bucklin to observe your statement abilities with an in-depth have a look at bark and buds. This hike, deliberate for Jan. 21, is geared towards teenagers and grownups. Registration is $5.
8. Guided Hike: Winter Animals With the Park Rangers: Discover the ways in which animals have tailored as a way to survive winter situations on Jan. 21 at Spherical Hill Park and Jan. 22 at White Oak Park. Deliver water for this 2-mile hike with average elevation modifications. Registration for this all-ages exercise is free.
9. CSI: The Case of the Vanishing Birds: This homeschool program welcomes households to affix with employees on the Jennings Environmental Schooling Middle on Jan. 26 (9 a.m. to midday) to unravel the thriller of “The Case of the Vanishing Birds” by way of hands-on actions, video games, observing and counting birds on the feeders. Children will discover ways to contribute, as a household, to hen citizen science and conduct their very own hen investigations at house. This program is designed for ages 5 and older. Register right here by Jan. 24 for the Jan. 26 session. The associated fee is $3 per particular person, with a most of $12 per household. This system repeats on Jan. 29 with a free session for most people. Register for the Jan. 29 session by Jan. 26.
10. Winter Weeds Stroll: Be part of a State Park information on Jan. 26 to discover the winter great thing about the remnants of final 12 months’s crops alongside the Nice Valley and Sunken Backyard Path with a straightforward 1.5-mile hike alongside Lake Arthur, searching for dried grasses, seedpods and different treats of nature. You’ll find out about native crops and deliver the great thing about nature to your own home. Meet on the Nice Valley Picnic Space, straight previous the South Shore park workplace, 225 Nice Valley Rd, Portersville, PA 16051.
11. Guided Hike: Winter Birds with the Park Rangers: Head to Harrison Hills Park on Jan. 28 to find out about our year-round and winter resident birds. Binoculars are beneficial however not required. This hike can be roughly one mile with average elevation modifications. Registration is free for this all-ages exercise.
12. Groundhog Hike: Have a good time our favourite rodent on Feb. 2 at Moraine State Park for an energizing two-mile hike that highlights groundhog trivia. Select your path issue and size. Costume for the climate and produce water and path snacks. Meet up on the Nice Valley Picnic Space on the South Shore. No registration is required for the free exercise.
13. Hike With a Naturalist: Lichen Exploration: Be part of Naturalist Educator Stephen Bucklin on Feb. 4 for a stroll to find out about lichens. This two-hour guided stroll offers you hands-on expertise observing lichens of their habitat and studying about their development types, buildings and ecology. Hand lenses are beneficial for appreciating the minute particulars of lichens and can be out there for borrowing. This hike is geared towards teenagers and adults. Free.
14. Depart No Hint Hike: Hikers study in regards to the seven ideas of “Depart No Hint” for minimizing your affect after you’ve got loved the outside. The session will even discover a number of the tracks and indicators of animal motion in Boyce Park. This system takes place on Feb. 5 and Feb. 15. Free, however registration is required.
15. Latodami Birding by Smartphone: Study the fundamentals of the Merlin Chicken ID and eBird apps on Feb. 11 at North Park in preparation for the Nice Yard Chicken Depend taking place Feb. 17-20. This program will assist birders of any talent stage establish birds by sight and ear utilizing the Merlin app and maintain depend of them utilizing eBird for smartphones. Greatest for ages 13 and older. Free, however registration is required.
16. Winter Tree ID: Study the fundamentals of tree identification within the winter at McConnells Mill on Feb. 15 from 1 p.m. to 2:30. A employees information will lead a family-friendly stroll that visits quite a lot of timber, utilizing forestry methods and instruments. Costume for the climate and produce a drink or snack and a want to study. Meet at Kildoo Pavilion for this free occasion.
17. Cherry Pie Walks and Hikes: Jennings Environmental Schooling Middle commemorates George Washington’s birthday and his 1753 mission to power the French withdrawal from British territory. A full day of programming on Feb. 25 consists of 30-minute historical past walks, 75-minute nature walks and a 7-mile hike. Anticipate historic shows, costumed reenactors — and a slice of cherry pie! Registration is free, however a $3 donation is usually recommended for the guided walks and hikes.
18. Junior Ranger: Story Time with the Park Rangers: A park ranger will learn an animal-themed story, adopted by a lesson in regards to the wildlife that lives in our parks. Catch a session on Feb. 25 at Spherical Hill Farm, March 11 at South Park and March 12 at North Park. Greatest for teenagers ages 3-7 years. Registration is free however required.
19 . Guided Hike: Ladies in Conservation: Have a good time an early Worldwide Ladies’s Day on March 4 at Settlers Cabin Park and March 5 at Hartwood Acres by discovering the tales of ladies who helped form the fashionable environmental and conservation second. Deliver water for this two-mile hike that features average elevation modifications. Registration is free.
20. Woodcock Watch and Owl Prowl: Be part of Jennings Environmental Schooling Middle employees and members of the Bartramian Audubon Society on March 18 for a Woodcock Watch and Owl Prowl. After a brief indoor presentation, the group will enterprise out onto the prairie space trails in hopes of listening to owls and seeing the male woodcocks demonstrating their courtship show. Registration is required by March 15 for this free program.
21. Owl Prowl at Raccoon State Park: Enterprise alongside darkish paths on a guided three-mile hike to listen to and perhaps see a number of the nightlife within the park. Alongside the way in which, you’ll study in regards to the owls that stay within the park. This free program on March 18 requires registration.
22. Nature Journaling: The Associates of Raccoon Creek State Park have teamed up with Naturalist Betsy Bangley to deliver you this Nature Journaling program on March 19. The category will cowl the basics of recording observations and sketching in nature. Costume warmly for nature walks and produce a pocket book or sketch pad. Registration is $15.
23. Hit the path with the Park Rangers: Discover the scenic climbing trails at Deer Lake Park. Deliver water for this two-mile hike and anticipate average elevation modifications. Free however registration is required,
24. Allegheny County Parks Trails App: This free app places 180 miles of trails in all 9 Allegheny County Parks proper in your hand. It’s a fantastic option to uncover completely different parks and add journey to your loved ones outings. Select your path based on elevation, size and issue. The GPS-enabled location tracker switches between terrain, typographic and imagery maps to maintain you from getting misplaced. Obtain from the App Retailer or Google Play.
Ice skating
25. Allegheny County Parks: Choices for ice skating at South Park embrace an NHL-sized rink and an ice path by way of a wooded path. North Park’s ice facility isn’t fairly as spectacular however makes for a enjoyable outing. Browse the county’s actions calendar to seek out skating classes, hockey lessons, open stick instances and public periods — and to make reservations. Admission for county residents is $5, plus $2 for skate rental when you want it. Tickets could also be bought on-line.
26. Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink: The Citiparks ice rink in Schenley Park provides aggressive pricing with skating periods priced at $3 for teenagers youthful than 18, $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and veterans. Skate rental is $3. Household Skates on Thursday nights provide free little one admission with a paying grownup. Tickets might be bought on the gate or on-line. Look ahead to particular occasions like Disco Night time on Feb. 4 and Valentine’s on Ice on Feb. 14.
27. The UPMC Rink at PPG Place: The Downtown setting of The UPMC Rink at PPG Place couldn’t be lovelier, with reflections of lights and skaters within the surrounding buildings. Reap the benefits of Tuesday Household Nights once you get a free child’s admission with every grownup ticket. One other discount is Half-Value Wednesday Scholar Nights with $5.50 admission. Ticket costs vary from $10-$12 and are might be bought on-line to order a spot and forestall a protracted wait in line. Skate rental is $5. Open by way of Feb. 26.
28. Moon Park Ice Rink: Skate at no cost on the acrylic floor of the Moon Park Ice Rink, even on hotter winter days. The floor performs like ice however doesn’t require freezing temperatures. Skate leases aren’t out there. The rink is open from daybreak to nightfall Sundays to Wednesdays and daybreak to 9 p.m. Thursdays by way of Saturdays.
Snowshoeing
In the event you can stroll, you may snowshoe — or so we’re instructed. Trendy snowshoes look nothing like these old school tennis racket contraptions. In the present day’s snowshoes strap onto boots, giving adventurers command over snowy paths.
29. Intro to Snowshoeing: Allegheny County provides free Intro to Snowshoeing periods for ages 5 and older on Jan. 26 and Feb. 2, 5 and 16. Park rangers will train the newbie course at Boyce Park. With the snowmaking tools, there aren’t any worries about whether or not or not there’s snow within the forecast. Registration is $5 for ages 5-10, $10 for ages 11 and older. Watch for added lessons and outings to be posted on the county web site .
Snowboarding, snowboarding, sledding and snow tubing
Mastering downhill snow abilities is all about accepting gravity with grace. It’s thrilling, heart-pounding and nice cardio in addition. Whereas there are numerous monitored locations you may go, you may at all times seize a sled and hit one of many common spots that Pittsburghers flock to: Flagstaff Hill (Schenley Park); Cowboy Hill (Level Breeze); Blue Slide Park (Frick Park); and Dormont Park (Dormont). Listed here are different native spots to get you began.
30. Boyce Park Ski, Snowboarding and Tubing: Boyce Park retains its slopes operational with snowmaking tools that provides to the pure snowfall. The season runs by way of mid-March, as climate situations enable. This season, the lodge, concessions and indoor restrooms are open. All actions, together with raise tickets and lessons, might be reserved upfront.
Newbies can benefit from ski and snowboard classes for ages 7 and up provided a number of instances per day. Registration is $30. Those that’ve conquered the fundamentals can hit the slopes by buying a day by day ski raise ticket for $15-$20 for Allegheny County residents. Gear rental, together with a helmet, is $20. Elevate tickets are free for teenagers youthful than 5. Snow tubing provides a plus over your neighborhood hill with a monitor that hauls you simply to the highest. Tubers should be a minimum of 42 inches tall. These between 42 and 50 inches should be linked to an grownup. Registration for 2-hour periods is $17 for county residents.
31. Seven Springs: At Seven Springs Mountain Resort, ski and snowboard college begins with lessons for teenagers from ages 4 and older. Superior children and their grownups can hit the 33 slopes and trails for a refreshing arctic kick. Snow tubers trip the Magic Carpet up the slope, then fly down one of many 11 lanes to go once more. All tickets might be bought upfront to forestall disappointment.
32. Hidden Valley Resort: The 26 slopes and trails at Hidden Valley Resort will fill the day with thrills and chills. Group and personal ski and snowboard classes start at age 4. On-line tickets can be found for all actions.
33. Nemacolin: A getaway to Mystic Mountain consists of six slopes for all-ages snowboarding and snowboarding on 25 acres. Children a minimum of 33 inches tall can hop on a snow tube in tandem with an grownup. You’ll additionally discover distinctive challenges for tweens and grownups. Reservations are required for all actions, together with Winterfest at Nemacolin festivities on Feb. 11.
