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Your 'Mom' -- Mother Nature, that is -- is caling you this winter By
Sam Pettingill
Now that summer is officially over and winter is ready to make its return, many Utah State University students are gearing up for another long season of movie watching and going to the bowling alley. This doesn't have to be your lot in life for the winter. There still are plenty of outdoor activities right here in USU's own back yard. For all you snowboarders and skiers Beaver Mountain Ski Resort is just 27 miles up Logan Canyon. Beaver Mountain has 22 runs covering 464 acres, ranging from beginner to advanced. Snowboarders are welcome there and can test their skills on the "Spine," a snowboard park that has several jumps and rails for anyone daring enough to try. Prices are $19 for a half-day pass and $24 for an all day pass. Beaver Mountain also has a tubing hill. Six dollars will get you a two-hour pass on a rope tow that will take you and your tube to the top of the hill. If cross-country skiing is more your style there are many groomed ski trails up Logan Canyon. Maps for these trails can be found at the Logan Ranger District, 1500 E. Highway 89, or at USU's Outdoor Recreation Center. Snow-shoeing is a good alternative to cross-country skiing, and easier to pick up because it is just like regular hiking. Snowshoes can be rented for $6 at the Outdoor Recreation Center. As fun as these backcountry sports are, remember to go prepared, adhere to the Leave No Trace Policy and leave the area as close as you can to how you found it. Check the avalanche forecast and bring plenty of water and warm clothes. Ice-skating is available at Merlin Olsen Central Park. Skates can be rented at the park but the skating is outdoors and it depends on the weather if you will be skating on water or ice. Sledding is always fun and if you can't make it up to Beaver Mountain, one of the most popular spots in Logan is Old Main Hill. Located at 500 North and 700 East, Old Main Hill is easy to get to and it's free. Perhaps you enjoy the outdoors but just don't feel like going out in the cold. The next best thing is to watch it from the comfort of the indoors. The Banff Film Festival shows several short films on the outdoors. The festival is co-sponsored by the USU Outdoor Recreation Center and will be Feb. 14-15. The Warren Miller movie tour will be at USU Nov. 2-3. Warren Miller movies capture skiing and snowboarding adventures from around the world. Finding something to do during the long winter months can be hard to do but if you can brave the cold and the snow there are many things in Logan that can keep you active.
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