If one of your 2017 resolutions is to live in the moment: it’s time to seize some motivation, a thermos of hot chocolate and comfy cold-weather gear because there’s a winter wonderland of adventure waiting for you in Lorain County.

Think ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, full moon hikes, even a trip to the Sugar Shack.

Grab your skis & poles and traverse the grounds of the Lorain County Metro Parks system. You get a workout and some much-needed fresh air and Vitamin D.

Forget work, take a snow day and head to the popular Vermilion River Reservation which sports a large sledding hill and semi-enclosed shelter to warm up. But don’t forget the kids!

Make the most of the white stuff and try your hand – er, your feet – at snowshoeing. With a minimum of four inches of snow, you can set off and explore the Great Outdoors on one of the guided hikes or go it alone. Rent a pair of snowshoes for $2 per person, per hour.

Learn how to take the sap from maple trees and turn it into syrup for a stack of pancakes. Yum! Hike to the sugar bush, collect sap with a naturalist and even visit the Sugar Shack where the sweet magic happens. (11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 25 & 26 and March 4 &5 at Carlisle Visitor Center.)

Don’t miss Winter Days (11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan 28 at Vermilion River Reservation). This free family fun fest has everything from demos for ice carving and sled dogs, activities such as ice fishing and snowshoeing as well as lunch, snack, beverage and sleigh rides available for purchase.

Now that the holiday season is behind us, why not try something new to spice up cold winter days? There is so much winter fun in all parts of Lorain County. You might even find a burst of motivation to get started on a New Year’s resolution to be more active in 2013! Vermilion River […]