The Winter Forecast: Falling Vexations
By Dave Hurst
© 2014 Hurst Media Works
“Vexing” is the perfect word to describe this winter thus far. The cold and snow came
early, which, while certainly vexing many people, excited me.
Before long, I pictured myself gliding along a cross-country ski track, opposite arms and
legs moving rhythmically in unison, drinking in the crisp, clean air and enjoying winter’s
beauty. Here it is, almost two full months later, and I’ve yet to clamp into my skis.
Oh I’ve been out, hiking on New Year’s Day, and snowshoeing a few times – mostly on
snow that barely required them. And even those outings were enjoyable.
Snowshoes can take you places you can’t explore at any other time of year, places that
are too overgrown or marshy during the growing season. And, of course, I could still
imbibe in the winter-fresh air and scenery.
What’s vexed me is the wildly fluctuating character of this early winter season. Extreme
cold snaps have been closely followed by warm spells and – worse yet – snow-eating
rain.
While ski resorts can compensate for many of these fluctuations, the only snow-making
machines for cross-country skiers belong to Mother Nature. Seemingly every time she
built a promising base of snow, she’d wash it away before I had the time to get out and
play on it.
Now those fortunate souls who have the time-flexibility to ski whenever the conditions
permit it have been able to take advantage of more opportunities than I’ve had. One
couple I spoke with already has gotten about 40 days of skiing in.
But as I write this, we’ve had a solid week of below-freezing temperatures and periodic
snowfalls. The 10-day forecast calls for temperatures to remain mostly below freezing
throughout the period and for additional snow.
Winter may finally be settling in as it should at this time of year. Soon, perhaps, even I’ll
be able to ski.
The timing’s good, too, because some of the most-interesting winter sports’ events are
popping up on the calendar over the next few weeks: family oriented winter festivals that
draw people together, provide them with opportunities to enjoy what this season has to
offer and enable them to sample new activities.
This is prime time at area ski resorts. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort’s Winterfest is
scheduled for February 8 and includes a variety of adventure activities, family and kids’
events and entertainment. www.nemacolin.com.
Selected state parks have a lot going on. Ohiopyle State Park will have its own version of
Winterfest (snow or no snow) at the Sugarloaf Sledding Area on February 1, where you
can try snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or a horse-drawn sleigh ride. (724) 329-0986.
February 22-23, hardy types are invited to do some winter camping at Raccoon State
Park west of Pittsburgh. For those who’ve never tried winter camping before, the park is
holding an indoor class on February 6 to go over the basics of winter camping. (724) 8993611.
You can check out all of the state park-related winter activity by going to
www.dcnr.state.pa.us and clicking on “What to Do.” There’s also a “Winter Report”
section that enables you to check on the conditions at specific state parks for crosscountry skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing, and ice boating. (Just be
sure to observe when the information was updated. Reports may not reflect current
conditions.)
February 9 to 11, the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games will be based in
Johnstown. There will be three days of heart-warming competition in skiing, skating,
snowshoeing and individual-skill events, featuring 300 athletes, 150 coaches and 1,500
volunteers. Spectators are welcome. www.specialolympicspa.org.
All of these events and activities will enable you to enjoy the beauty of this time of year.
Perhaps that will make winter a bit less vexing.