It's February again. Though the first-snow-of-the-season-bliss has come and gone, Geneseo skies are still gray and the snow continues to fall. So why not embrace it and enjoy some of the great things that only winter can offer?
Skiing and Snowboarding
Rural upstate New York has a few shortcomings, but a lack of great slopes is not one of them. Bristol Mountain, about 50 minutes from campus, holds 34 trails and offers eight-hour lift tickets for $55. Holiday Valley, about an hour and a half from campus, offers 58 trails and eight-hour tickets for $57. Never skied before? There are rentals available and plenty of skiers in Geneseo who would be willing to give a quick lesson in exchange for a ride to the mountain.
Niagara Falls
The falls are usually visited in the peak of summer when the mist from the pounding water is a reprieve from the heat, but many people are unaware of this state park's wintertime beauty. It's also only about an hour and a half from Geneseo, so don't miss an opportunity to see the normally-crowded tourist destination isolated and covered in sparkling white snow and ice.
Ice Skating
The Merritt Athletic Center on campus provides free ice skating on its full-sized rink to all Geneseo students. Free skate hours are Monday – Friday from 12:30 – 1:50 p.m., Saturdays from 6 – 7:50 p.m. and Sundays from 6:30 – 7:50 p.m.
Don't be afraid to get out and make the most out of the weather; it won't last forever. It might help you realize that with some fun outings, winter isn't quite as bad as it seems.