Winter has special types of outdoor fun, exercise

I t's no fun being indoors all winter, especially when Northwest Indiana parks offer so many reasons to get out and have snow fun. Here are a few ideas.

Snowshoeing: Try walking on snowshoes at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center, Indiana 49 at U.S. 20, in a free session from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

First, a ranger will offer some instruction, then you can take a hike.

Cross-country skiing: Although cross-country skiing trails downhill skiing in popularity, it is significantly safer and offers many health benefits. Maybe that's why more people of all ages are trying it.

Three Lake County parks offer cross-country ski rentals through February (or March at Lemon Lake) when snow conditions are right.

Lemon Lake, 6322 W. 133rd Ave., Crown Point, 663-7627, has groomed trails through fields and woods for all skill levels.

Oak Ridge Prairie, 301 S. Colfax St., Griffith, 884-7238, has three miles of trails for beginner and intermediate skiers.

Stoney Run, 142nd and Union Street, Leroy, 996-6500, has seven miles of groomed trails for intermediate to advanced skiers.

Rentals cost $5 for two hours and are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. A driver's license or credit card must be left during the rental period.

Call ahead to check on the park's snow conditions.

Those who own cross-country skis also can ski at Indiana Dunes State Park, Deep River County Park in Hobart and Buckley Homestead County Park in Lowell.

For something different, visit Luhr Park, 3178 S. County Road 150W in LaPorte for moonlight skiing from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1. Afterward, sip hot chocolate and warm up in the nature center.

Sleigh rides: Go dashing through the snow in a horse-drawn open sleigh through the scenic grounds at Buckley Homestead, 3606 Belshaw Road. When you bundle up under a blanket and in enough layers of warm clothes, these rides are fun for all ages and for families and groups.

The rides last about 20 minutes, cost $2 per person and are offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through February, when conditions are right.

The sleigh can hold about eight to 10 people. Call ahead at 696-0769 to check on conditions.