It’s now January-with about 3+ months of winter ahead-and many Rangers are tired of shoveling and complaining about the cold. If it’s not snowing an inch per hour, it’s a bitter 40 below (without the wind chill!) We’re all lacking a healthy dose of Vitamin D and feeling a little blue. Depression has set in, and getting up in the morning to face another dreary day takes all we have to just get out of bed.
Well, snap out of it!
Bundle up, put on your snow pants and get out and enjoy the above average snowfall! Trust me, I can lack motivation to brave the elements, I admit it; however, once you get out and get moving you will feel much better. In case you’ve forgotten, let me suggest some great ways to perk up your winter.
#1 Go Sliding!
- Eveleth Sliding Hill-located just behind the ROCC (Eveleth Curling Club) and across from Thunderbird Mine, the hill is massive! It may be difficult for little tikes but the ride is worth the climb!
- Virginia Golf Course-I would classify this location as the ‘perfect size’ sliding hill. A great ride and not too steep of a jaunt back up. I must warn you: I took the family sliding here last week and launched off a bump near the bottom, so steer clear or your tailbone may suffer a bit.
- Eveleth Golf Course-this place brings me back to when I was a kid when my father got frustrated because I couldn’t walk up the hill. The ride is FANTASTIC ; you’re sure to get a thrill flying down this hill
- VIC Power Park-Located off DuPont Road in Hibbing. I haven’t actually been there myself, but I’ve heard it’s a great place to slide. If there’s a hill and snow, how could it be bad?
- Carey Lake-just travel a few miles past Vic Power Park to arrive at Carey Lake which is one of Hibbing’s winter activity hot spots.
- Giants Ridge-Uh, ski resort? Of course they have a rockin’ sliding hill!
#2 Play Hockey At Your Local Rink
When I was growing up, my parents enrolled me in figure skating where I learned some pretty fancy moves. However, down at Northside Rink in Eveleth, two-foot spins and bunny hops just didn’t fly; if you didn’t have a stick you might as well have gone home. I learned to play hockey-toe picks and all-from the boys down at the rink, and I to this day can still raise the puck. I think that living in Northern Minnesota, learning to play hockey should be a graduation requirement (hmm…now that I’m on the school board I’ll see what I can do about that…); skating is fun, great exercise, and kids love to play with their parents. I can just about promise that if you put on some skates and take the kids to the rink, they’ll be totally pumped. I don’t know where all the outdoor rinks are on the Range, so I’ll list the ones I do know of. Please feel free to add additional Iron Range skating rinks by leaving a comment.
Don’t tell me you don’t own a pair of skates, either. Ah, heck you don’t need skates to have a great game of boot hockey. In fact, Eggy’s Red Garter lounge has flooded their sand volleyball court and the local crew loves to have a few brews and kick around the puck. They also have broom ball and their 2nd Annual Goalie Game Tournament coming up on January 10. If you don’t play, come and watch! It’s crazy how fast the guys can smack that puck…I prefer to stay on the sidelines.
#3 Tour the Woods
Whether on snowshoes or cross country skis, few things are as beautiful as Northern Minnesota snow-covered forests-not to mention great exercise! The Iron Range possesses some of the most beautiful and well kept cross-country ski trails in northern Minnesota. If you don’t own your own skis, you can rent skis at Giants Ridge.
#4 Go Ice Fishing With Your Friends
When I was little, my dad took me ice fishing a few times-we never got a fish. NOT EVER. I couldn’t understand why anyone would spend all day on a lake in a tent staring at a hole-how boring. Now I’ve matured and I’ve grown to know why ice fishing continues in popularity: Beer + Extra Large Fish House with furniture=Party time. Ah Ha! Now it all makes sense.
#5 Ride the Range
Jump on a sled and hit the Iron Range snowmobile trails! Snowmobiling is so fun and one can travel the entire Range on our snowmobile trail system. If you’re a snowmobile lover, check out Dave’s Ride the Range blog for the latest news on snowmobile conditions on the Iron Range.
#6 White Wash Someone You Love
You think I’m joking, don’t you? I’m not. PLAY PEOPLE! Make snow angels, walk the town during a huge snow storm, push someone in a snow bank, attack your neighbor with snowballs (IF you know them and they’re not 80 like my neighbors are. On second thought…) I get these ridiculous email forwards all the time telling me to “dance’ and ‘laugh’ and ‘blah blah puke.’ But listen here: the only fluff goin’ on here is the white stuff on the ground. If you took just a few minutes out of the day once in a while to do something spontaneous and a little crazy, just think how invigorating it could be.
#7 Play Games
When the bitter cold is just too much to handle, playing games can be a great way to beat the winter blues. Dig out those old board games-Scrabble, Cribbage, Monopoly, Pictionary-and get the whole family involved.
By the end of January, staying indoors cooped up with the entire family day in and day out bring ‘cabin fever’ to a dangerous temperature. If it’s too cold to play outside, reminisce about summer by playing a few games of bocce ball-inside! Both Jim’s Sports Club and the Moose Saloon & Eatery in Chisholm have indoor bocce ball courts. They also have leagues a few nights a week so you may want to check their schedules.
#8 Attend Winter Festivals
From Laskiainen to Ely’s Winter Festival the Iron Range communities embrace winter by celebrating! Awesome siding Hills, ethnic food, crafts and a multitude of winter activities create a warm atmosphere despite what the thermometer says. OF course, you can always check our Events page for festivals on the Iron Range.
#9 Snuggle
Blankets, a cozy fire, flannel PJs and someone to snuggle with: Don’t get much better than this, folks. The bills can pile up, the snow can pour from the sky and the world can freeze over and as long as my little boys still love to nestle up to their mom and dad, nothing else matters.
#10 Sauna Often
Aaahhhh….the burst of moist heat that radiates from the rocks can warm you right down to your bones. Then, when you walk outside in sub-zero temperatures it actually feels good! If you don’t have the luxury of a sauna in your own home, the Mesabi Family YMCA and other health clubs across the range that have saunas. Otherwise, I suggest you make a few more Finnish friends 
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