Snow Covered Trees
Make the Most of the Iceburg
By Elyssa Squires
Let’s face it—Rexburg is a cold place to live for nine months out of the year. From the months of December well into April, the city is covered in layers of snow.
All that frozen water can really weigh a city down—and keep its citizens huddled up in their shelters. A winter spent indoors makes for a dull, sad year.
But winter doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of moping around inside to avoid the snow, try getting out and enjoying it.
There are plenty of great ways to get some outdoor time. With the holidays approaching, take a stroll around the neighborhood with your significant other to check out Christmas light displays. Or, go caroling door-to-door. Try cutting out paper snowflakes and decorating the inside of the house to match the outside. Go for a picnic in the snow; just don’t forget the thermos full of hot chocolate, and blankets or sleeping bags to keep warm.
Residents of Rexburg don’t have to go far to enjoy the winter weather. They can get out in that wonderland of snow and build a snowman. Have a contest with friends and see who can build the most creative snow sculpture. Or, try working together to construct an igloo. Wrestle in the snow, make snow angels. Build forts and have an all-out snowball fight (but be careful who’s around when you do so; throwing snowballs is prohibited within city limits).
By Elyssa Squires
Let’s face it—Rexburg is a cold place to live for nine months out of the year. From the months of December well into April, the city is covered in layers of snow.
All that frozen water can really weigh a city down—and keep its citizens huddled up in their shelters. A winter spent indoors makes for a dull, sad year.
But winter doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of moping around inside to avoid the snow, try getting out and enjoying it.
There are plenty of great ways to get some outdoor time. With the holidays approaching, take a stroll around the neighborhood with your significant other to check out Christmas light displays. Or, go caroling door-to-door. Try cutting out paper snowflakes and decorating the inside of the house to match the outside. Go for a picnic in the snow; just don’t forget the thermos full of hot chocolate, and blankets or sleeping bags to keep warm.
Residents of Rexburg don’t have to go far to enjoy the winter weather. They can get out in that wonderland of snow and build a snowman. Have a contest with friends and see who can build the most creative snow sculpture. Or, try working together to construct an igloo. Wrestle in the snow, make snow angels. Build forts and have an all-out snowball fight (but be careful who’s around when you do so; throwing snowballs is prohibited within city limits).
Winter Exploration of Mesa Falls
For residents who are willing to go a little bit outside of town, there are even more opportunities available to enjoy the snow. Snow camping, for instance, is a unique way to enjoy the outdoors. Just make sure to have the proper equipment, and be aware of the dangers of camping in winter. If campers are prepared and stay warm enough, it can be a new and thrilling experience to face the great outdoors in winter.
Other popular activities include snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding. There are a number of resorts close to Rexburg, with Kelly Canyon and Grand Targhee being the most popular for Rexburg locals. The Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC), located under the stadium of Brigham Young University Idaho, is an excellent resource for the outdoorsy type. Locals and students can rent equipment from the ORC such as skis, snowshoes, tents, sleeping bags, and warm clothing, which make participating in these winter activities easier.
And then there is the ever-popular winter tradition of sledding and tubing. In the summer, the St. Anthony sand dunes are a popular destination or off-roading and riding all-terrain vehicles. During the winter, the big hills get as covered in snow, as everything else in Idaho; their height and often-steep slopes make them ideal for sledding. A quick search on Google Maps will give directions to the dunes, located just 20 or so miles north of Rexburg.
Perhaps one of the best reasons to look forward to Rexburg winters, however, is the annual Snowfest. Held towards the end of January, this winter festival features such activities as snowman bowling, snow graffiti, a Christmas tree bonfire, and horse wagon rides, according to the City of Rexburg’s official Web site. The festival also includes the Polar Bear Swim, in which participants get an excuse to air out their swim suits by taking a dip in ice cold water and warming up afterwards in a hot tub. Snowfest is a day when Rexburgians can get out and band together in making the most of eastern Idaho’s crazy weather.
So whatever that activity of choice, try getting outside this winter. After all, the cold is a great excuse to get back inside and warm up with some delicious hot cocoa while snuggling up with a loved one.
Other popular activities include snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding. There are a number of resorts close to Rexburg, with Kelly Canyon and Grand Targhee being the most popular for Rexburg locals. The Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC), located under the stadium of Brigham Young University Idaho, is an excellent resource for the outdoorsy type. Locals and students can rent equipment from the ORC such as skis, snowshoes, tents, sleeping bags, and warm clothing, which make participating in these winter activities easier.
And then there is the ever-popular winter tradition of sledding and tubing. In the summer, the St. Anthony sand dunes are a popular destination or off-roading and riding all-terrain vehicles. During the winter, the big hills get as covered in snow, as everything else in Idaho; their height and often-steep slopes make them ideal for sledding. A quick search on Google Maps will give directions to the dunes, located just 20 or so miles north of Rexburg.
Perhaps one of the best reasons to look forward to Rexburg winters, however, is the annual Snowfest. Held towards the end of January, this winter festival features such activities as snowman bowling, snow graffiti, a Christmas tree bonfire, and horse wagon rides, according to the City of Rexburg’s official Web site. The festival also includes the Polar Bear Swim, in which participants get an excuse to air out their swim suits by taking a dip in ice cold water and warming up afterwards in a hot tub. Snowfest is a day when Rexburgians can get out and band together in making the most of eastern Idaho’s crazy weather.
So whatever that activity of choice, try getting outside this winter. After all, the cold is a great excuse to get back inside and warm up with some delicious hot cocoa while snuggling up with a loved one.
