Want to beat those winter blues? Get your heart beating as you get active out in the snow or on the ice with these seasonal activities.
SLEDDING
In Northern New Jersey, take in breathtaking views of alpine trails and surrounding forests while getting in a few sledding runs at Allamuchy Mountain State Park (Bryam). In Ridgewood, enjoy the slope on the multipurpose field at Citizen’s Park, a longtime favorite of kids and grownups alike.
At Hopatcong State Park (Landing), expect a moderately sloped hill with plenty of wide-open space at the bottom to glide across. Meanwhile, in South Orange, get ready for a day of gliding down the long, easy slopes of Floods Hill, where you’ll find plenty of fellow sledders enjoying the outdoor action.
SNOW TUBING
Not much into skiing, no worries at all! There is more to do at Mountain Creek (Vernon) than skiing, try snow tubing. Feel the exhilarating rush as you experience the Drop Zone snow tubing park with 20 lanes. Must be at least five-years-old.
ICE SKATING
You don’t have to be able to pull off a pirouette to have a great time ice-skating. Lace up those skates, and spend some time on the ice at an indoor rink like Aspen Ice at Flemington or Skylands Ice World (Stockholm). In Hackensack, Ice House Skating Rink is the largest facility of its kind in New Jersey, boasting four regulation-size NHL rinks. For a seasonal outdoor skating experience, don’t miss the festive atmosphere of Winterland Ice Skating Rink (Glassboro), where you’ll also find shops and entertainment.
ICE BUMPER CARS
Unleash your mean streak as you take the the ice with your friends in a head-to-head battle of ice bumper cars, an exciting cross between skating, snow tubing and bumper cars. At Ocean Ice Palace in Brick, take a seat in these colorful rides as you glide across the ice hockey rink to bump into fellow riders.
CARRIAGE RIDES
Ready to relax a bit while gliding by idyllic, holiday scenes? Enjoy the Holiday Carriage Rides in Bordentown, where you can take in the holiday music, decorations and smell of roasting chestnuts while being transported by a horse-drawn carriage. Classic carriage rides are offered on Saturdays in downtown Red Bank during the holiday season. In Cape May, step into a vintage-style carriage from Cape May Carriage Company, and listen as the horse clip-clops its way down historic streets and past Victorian mansions decked out in holiday decorations.
