Winter is not my favorite time in Bozeman. I am not one of the skiers that anxiously wait for the ski hills to open nor do I get excited when the blue light atop the Baxter lights up. However, I have made peace with winters in Montana. Knowing the long, bitter cold months are a small price to pay to live in this beautiful place. By coming to terms with it I was surprised to find I began to kinda like it. Surprising after spending the majority of my three decades here fighting it. What started as me trying to keep a positive attitude for my kids while bundling them in layer after layer turned into an appreciation for all it offers. I stopped silently cursing through the boots, snow pants, jacket, hat and gloves process that added an extra 15 minutes to our morning. Blame it on the kids infectious love of the snow thanks to Elsa and her darn ice powers. I do not love winter as I do summers in Bozeman. But, I now have an admiration and respect for it and because it lasts so long I have found a way to enjoy it.  

Sledding
How can you not love sledding? This is a favorite from my own childhood. Bundling up and sledding for hours. Trudging up the big hills in our backyard and flying down. Repeat. Going until we were frozen and coming inside for the hot cocoa that was always waiting for us. I continue this tradition with my daughters. We live in town, so backyard sledding isn’t an option, but fortunately we don’t have to go far. When they were little we found simply going to our neighborhood park had enough small hills to satisfy a toddler. Really, if you look around you can find a hill anywhere and kids don’t need much! In Bozeman, Peet’s Hill is a very popular choice. It tends to get busy and can be a little steep so is best left to the bigger kids. Gaining popularity is the hill at the Gallatin County Regional Park near the Dinosaur Park. Add a twist to sledding with the family and head to the hill on a full moon. Chances are you’ll have it to yourself and there is nothing like flying down a snowy hillside with the big moon bright in the sky. Trust me, the kids love it. As with any winter time activity…you have to end with hot chocolate. With marshmallows.  

Ice Skating
With hockey being all the rage in this town, ice skating is an obvious winter activity. You don’t have to play hockey to enjoy skating on the ice. We are lucky in Bozeman to have many ice skating rinks to choose from. Beall and South Side park being the two biggest for outdoor. Bogert, under the pavilion is another outdoor option if you want some coverage. These rinks are nicely maintained and have lights for evening skates. If your kids are beginning and you are looking for a smaller rink to start on, look to one of the local elementary schools. A few have rinks that are generally smaller and less crowded. Being patient as kids learn to skate is important. They will not be flying around the rink on the first try. And, if you throw on skates to join them you’ll know why. It’s not easy to glide gracefully on those things! Having a chair or large bucket to help them balance is helpful. Once they get it, like riding a bike, they’ve got it. Flying around the ice with rosy cheeks and happy smiles. If you are into hockey, or want to be Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association [BAHA] has open ice for adults and kids at the Haynes pavilion all winter long.

Snowshoeing
This winter activity is something I’ve yet to dabble in. However, I believe snowshoeing is sort of like hiking in the winter so I’m all about it. It gives an opportunity to be outside walking through snow and enjoying our mountains throughout the winter. I am often jealous of skiers getting to play in the mountains I love all winter long while I patiently wait for snow to melt. It’s all about how you prepare as to not get discouraged by the weather. Layering and dressing warmly so you can play outside longer. The mountains are stunning in the summertime…all green trees and dabbling creeks. Winter gives it a whole new beauty with bright blue skies reflecting off the blanket of white. The crisp air refreshing in a way the summer heat can’t be. In February the Bozeman
Rec Department will hold an Intro to Snowshoeing class at Story Mill Park
[582-2910]. Yes, I do believe snowshoeing will be on my winter activities list
this year.

Cross Country Skiing
Thanks to the Bridger Ski Foundation there are many options for cross county skiing in Bozeman. They maintain and groom 70 km of trails in four different areas. Lindley Park near the hospital, Bridger Creek Golf Course, Snowfill Area, Bozeman Creek/Sourdough and Hyalite Canyon (also maintained by the forest service). With this amount of trails there is something for everyone in each part of town. Beyond these trails, Bohart Ranch features nordic trails situated on private and forest service land located in beautiful Bridger Canyon with trails for all abilities.  

Curling
Chances are this is a new one for you, but because it’s gaining popularity in our community it needs to be on the list! Curling is a team sport similar to shuffleboard, but done on ice. Last winter was the first time the Bozeman Rec Department had an adult curling league. It’s back this year with openings for teams on Tuesday evenings.  Teams need to be 4-6 people. Not sure what it’s all about? No worries, come to the Learn to Curl Clinic Saturday, January 17 at 10am at Southside Park. It will include all you need to know about the terms in curling such as hog line, tee line, draw, takeout and more. (Pretty sure I want to do this just to find out what hog line means!) At the clinic you will get an opportunity to get on the ice and learn to sweep, deliver stones and participate in a real game. Call 582-2910 for registration or clinic information.
 
And, if downhill skiing is your thing I’m pretty sure you already know where to go.

Whether you love our Montana winters or not they will always be a part of our world here. Rather than fighting it for nine months like I used to, it’s best to find a way to love it. Seek out the beauty of the snow covered mountains and the sunshine that never leaves us even when the temperatures dip to brutal lows. Cozy up with a latte at one of Bozeman’s many local coffee shops and find peace in watching snowflakes flutter down. And remember the childlike fun in the simple things of building a snowman or getting in a snowball fight. And, always, always end with hot chocolate.