Five Fun Outdoor Winter Activities in Rhode Island

When the cold temperatures start to set in for the long winter months ahead, it seems the options for outdoor activities begin to diminish. For those, like myself, who care for young ones, the winter months present the challenge of finding outdoor outlets where home-bound toddlers can release their energy. While libraries and children's museums are great, there's still that need for fresh air, for adults and children alike.

One might think that Rhode Island, known for its coastal fun in the warm weather months, lacks fun, outdoor winter activities. On the contrary, the Ocean State offers a wonderful mix of outdoor winter activities. From downhill skiing to ice fishing, Rhode Island is steadily becoming a tourist destination in the winter months where all ages can enjoy a less crowded and hurried pace while still enjoying the same quality of activities found in the more well-known winter resort areas. Here's a small sampling of the more popular outdoor winter activities in Rhode Island:

1. DOWNHILL SKIING. Sure, Rhode Island looks flat along its coastline, but inland there are lots of hills and valleys. The Ocean State even has its own ski resort in Yawgoo Valley Ski Area in Exeter. The peak elevation at Yawgoo is 310 feet, with a 240 foot vertical drop. Yawgoo boasts 12 trails, with the longest at 1,700 feet. With100 percent snowmaking capabilities, Yawgoo's ski season generally starts in early December and runs through the end of March. In addition to downhill skiing, Yawgoo Valley Ski Area offers snow tubing, snowboarding, a chain of trails for cross-country skiing and natural ponds for ice skating.

2. SLEDDING. In Rhode Island, the hunt for the ultimate hill is just as enjoyable as sledding itself. One could say that sledding in Rhode Island is an art form, with particular attention given to selecting the perfect size hill and method for getting down it (wooden sled, snow tube, flying saucer, trash can cover, or even a self-made gizmo). In the state's capital city of Providence, there's a multitude of sledding options, from pint-size knolls to steep hills.