What to bring to the slopes
Recommended items to bring skiing or snowboarding:
Hat. If your head is warm, then the rest of you is likely to stay warm.
Waterproof gloves/mittens. Mittens are warmest.
Goggles/sunglasses. Goggles are strongly recommended on cold or snowy days for warmth and increased visibility.
Jacket/parka (water resistant).
Synthetic or wool base layers for top and bottom. It's better to be warm than cold, you can always shed layers. Synthetic materials help to wick moisture away from your skin. Once again, do not wear cotton as a base layer.
Snow/water resistant pants. Very important, your first day will acquaint your butt to the snow, so keep it warm and dry.
Warm, dry socks. No cotton. Wear only one pair of socks.
Sunscreen. SPF 15 or higher.
Lip balm.
Snack, fruit, energy bar.
Trail map; available for free in the lodge.
ID, wallet, cash or major credit card.
Extra clothes, shoes; to change into when you're all done, in order to go out and celebrate your first day.
Equipment, if you are not renting; skis, poles and boots; or snowboard and snowboard specific boots.
SOURCE: Perfect North Slopes
If the recent flurry of triple axels, grabs, twists and jumps has you longing to lace up your skates or leap onto your snowboard, you don’t need to make your way Sochi to get in on the fun.
And even if you are better suited for a bunny hill than a super-G and just the thought of a sit spin has you feeling dizzy, an afternoon of skiing, snowboarding or skating can be a great way to get active in the spirit of the Olympic Games.
While there won’t be any medals on the line, there is still plenty of fun to be had on the slopes or on the ice. And you won’t need a passport, as many winter sports facilities are just a short drive away.
Skating
RiverScape MetroPark is home to the largest outdoor ice rink in the region. The rink hosts open skating and lessons through February, so there is still time to take to the ice along the banks of the Great Miami River. If you need to warm up, you can grab a cup of steaming hot chocolate or another treat at the adjacent Silver Fern Café.
If you have your own skates, there is no better bargain as there is no admission charge Monday through Thursday. So you can skate until your heart’s content without spending a dime. Skate rental is $5. Weekend and holiday admission is $7 and includes skate rental. For information and hours of operation, visit www.metroparks.org/.
The Kettering Ice Arena, at the Kettering Recreation Complex, hosts youth and adult figure skating and ice hockey events throughout the year. Lessons and open skating are also readily available at the rink, which remains open through April.
The Kettering Ice Arena also features a skate-changing area, a skate rental shop, lockers, a concession area and restrooms. And the heated seating area can accommodate as many as 700 spectators.
Youth resident fees are $3, $6 for non-residents. Adults are $3.50 for Kettering residents and $7 for non-residents. Skate rental is $2. For additional information and hours of operation, visit www.ketteringoh.org.
South Metro Sports, in Centerville, and Hobart Arena, in Troy, also offer open skating sessions. The Ice Haus at South Metro Sports is the Miami Valley's only year-round ice rink and is also home to several ice hockey teams and leagues. For information, rates and a complete schedule, visit http://smetrosports.com/.
Skiing and snowboarding
If you have your sights set on an Olympic medal, you might want to give Perfect North Slopes, just outside of Lawrenceburg, Ind., a try. That's where men's slopestyle Olympic bronze medalist Nick Goepper got his start.
With more than 120 acres of skiable terrain, Perfect North has something for everyone from apprehensive first-timers to those daring souls who want to learn techniques for sliding rails and hitting jumps in Perfect North’s freestyle program.
No experience? No problem, as Perfect North has a ski school that uses the latest teaching methods from the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors.
They also have a snow tubing facility for those who like their winter recreation to be a bit more leisurely.
For more information, hours of operation and to check the ski report, visit www.perfectnorth.com.
Mad River Mountain, in Bellefontaine, also offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Ohio's largest ski resort also offers group and individual lessons. For information, visit http://skimadriver.com.
If you're already hooked and want to invest in your own equipment, or if cross country skiing is more your speed, a trip to Valleywood Ski and Snowboard Shop in Kettering might be in order.
Whether you are buying new gear or you need a snowboard tune-up, the Kettering shop can help. They also offer new binding installation, custom boot fitting and repair, hot wax application for your skis or snowboard and general troubleshooting. For information, visit http://valleywoodskishop.goodbarry.com/.