Temperatures may be dipping and nights long and dark, but cabin fever can be avoided. Rather than rushing the season, some embrace it. Plenty of opportunities for wintertime recreation await.

 

Less than an hour from Bridgeport is the BOPARC Ice Skating Rink. The Morgantown Ice Arena is open 7-9 p.m. Friday, 1:30-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Saturday and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children, with skate rentals $3 each. Sunday is Family Day when a family of four can skate for $10 without skate rentals or $20 including skate rentals.

 

Group rates and season passes are also available. Ice skating lessons are offered by the Mason Dixon Figure Skating Club. Visit http://www.boparc.org/ice-arena.html for more information.

 

The 185-by-85-foot ice surface also accommodates games of various ice hockey teams, including the West Virginia Mountaineers men’s ice hockey team. See a schedule HERE.

 

Located roughly two and a half hours from Bridgeport, Snowshoe Mountain boasts 257 acres of skiable terrain spread across 60 trails and featuring a 1500 vertical foot drop. The Pocahontas County resort is nestled in the Allegheny Mountains where the Cheat and Back Allegheny ridges meet. Second only to Spruce Knob, Snowshoe is the second highest point in the state with a peak elevation of 4,848 feet above sea level.

 

Skiing, snowboard and tubing are available through March 29 with value season taking place March 15-29.

 

Check out weather/trail conditions at any time by clicking here: https://www.snowshoemtn.com/mountain-info/mountain-report#/

 

See Snowshoe single-day lift ticket prices at right: 

 

In under two hours, outdoor recreation enthusiasts can travel to Canaan Valley, where skiing, snowboarding, tubing and ice skating are available. In peak conditions, Canaan features 47 trails for all ages and skill levels.  Having experienced less than desirable snowfall and unseasonably warm temperatures this winter, just over half of those trails are currently open, thanks to week-round snowmaking.

 

Check out the Canaan Valley trail report here: https://www.canaanresort.com/trail-report/

 

See Canaan Valley lift ticket prices below left. 

 

If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your cup of tea, the 1,200-foot-long, multi-lane tube park offers its own thrills. One of the longest tube courses in the Mid-Atlantic, it features a magic carpet lift and nearby fireplace for warming up. Tubing sessions are two hours long. Tubers must be four years old and 42 inches tall. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. daily, tickets re sold on a first-come basis.

 

Canaan Valley amenities also include a covered ice rink featuring remarkable mountain views. Adult skaters can enjoy a two-hour session for $7 and juniors/seniors for $5. Skate rentals are an additional $3 each.

 

Obtain driving directions to these and other locations here at Google Maps/Directions: https://directionsnow.org/14/?keyword=google+maps+directions&lpurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdirectionsnow.org%2F1%2F

 

Formerly a popular ski destination, Timberline Four Seasons Resort is closed for the season. Recently under new ownership, the resort is being renovated. 

 

If wintertime walking satisfies your needs, there are about 10 miles of walking trails right here in Bridgeport. Popular spots are assessible at Bridgeport City Park (behind Bridgeport High School) and at Hinkle and Deegan Lakes.

 

With the exception of trails located at Hinkle/

Deegan Lakes and Bridgeport Recreation Complex – each just shy of one mile –  city trails are indicated here: http://www.bridgeportwv.com/default/assets/File/BridgeportWalks.pdf. The system stretches across many residential neighborhoods as indicated by blue and red lines.

 

Bridgeport Recreation Coordinator Katie Squires said, depending upon the incline desired, there is something for everyone.

 

"The City Park trail that leads to the Benedum Civic Center grounds is more hilly and offers walkers a bit more incline,” said Katie Squires, city recreation coordinator. “Trails at the Rec Complex and Lakes are both relatively flat in comparison. I don’t think walkers can go wrong at any of our park trails! The paths around town also are a great way to enjoy our wonderful neighborhoods.”

 

Scenic views of wildlife, snow-covered pines and, of course, the lakes draw many to the destination annually.

 

“The lakes are a popular walking spot any time of year, with the unseasonably nice weather we’ve seen many people taking advantage of the trails this year,” said.

 

Anytime walkers access city trails, they are advised to follow all traffic signals and be vigilant of motor vehicles on the roads.

 

The West Virginia Rails to Trails offers relatively flat, scenic walking experiences. The West Fork River Trail stretches 14 miles and features asphalt, crushed stone surface or travel the entire West Fork Trail for 22 miles.

 

The Harrison North Rail Trail is 7 miles long and features cinder, grass and gravel surface while the Harrison South Rail Trail is 5.6 miles long and features crushed stone and grass surface.

 

The Marion County Trail (2.5 miles) and Mon River Trail North and South 6 miles and 17.7 miles, respectively – are other nearby options.

 

Learn about all area Rails to Trails HERE https://www.traillink.com/trailsearch/?mmloc=clarksburg+wv

 

Editor's Note: Cover photo is by Sam Olivio.