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Beating the cold weather blues
Bored? Check out these fun ways to enjoy the cold.
Published Jan. 22, 2010
It might not be snowy right now, but the winter season is upon us nonetheless. Whether you're braving the cold or just trying to keep warm, we've got a mix of the best places to go in Columbia to make your winter a little more bearable.
Best sledding
Green circle Hickman High School
This bunny hill is perfect for first-time sledders or those who want to take it easy. If the speed of this slope isn't satisfying, try flopping -- running up to the sled and jumping on it -- to gain momentum. There's plenty of open space at the bottom of the hill for a snowball battle. The hill is located near the athletic fields on the corner of Seventh St. and Wilkes Blvd.
Blue square Stephens Lake Park
As Columbia's official sledding hill, Stephens Lake Park is sure to attract many riders at each snowfall. The steep hill offers the speed sledding enthusiasts crave, and provides a long, flat landing zone. There is enough room to accommodate dozens of people. The hill is located off Broadway just east of Old 63. Turn left at the Stephens Lake Park entrance and drive to the final parking lot to get the nearest spot.
Double black diamond Missouri Sports Park
This is a hill for adventurous sledders. A steep slope with many obstacles leads to a shallow concrete ditch separating you from the 50 mph traffic on Providence Road. Luckily, this ditch will catch even the speediest sled. The hill is located along the eastern fence of the baseball stadium. To get there, take the first right on Providence south of Stadium Boulevard, right after the Missouri Sports Park sign. Drive up the hill to the parking lot on the left, but be careful: it's a permit-only lot from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Best hot cocoa
Lakota Coffee Company
Offering a warm and relaxed atmosphere, Lakota also boasts the cheapest mug of hot cocoa at just $2.09 a mug. The cocoa itself is thick and dark, with an extra splash of chocolate at the bottom. A generous helping of whipped cream cools the cocoa's steaming temperature. An ideal place to sit and sip while you catch up on studying, Lakota is located at 24 S. Ninth St.
Kayotea Tea Room and Bistro
Known for its many varieties of herbal teas, Kayotea also offers a warm and delicious hot cocoa. Priced at $3.17, it was the most expensive mug of cocoa we found. The barista was happy to split it into two standard-sized mugs to share. Each mug was decorated with its own topping of whipped cream and Hershey's chocolate syrup. The bistro is located at 912 E. Broadway.
Starbucks
This hot chocolate is great if you're on the go. A tall costs $2.63 and comes with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. The taste isn't very rich or thick, but it's the perfect temperature. The cup will warm your hands wherever you end up going. The downtown branch is located at 304 S. Ninth St.
Ice skating/ice fishing/ice blocking
Columbia also offers places for ice-related activities. Ice skating is allowed at Stephens Lake when conditions allow, but don't expect this to be any time before February. Likewise, ice fishing is allowed on Cosmo-Bethel Lake when the ice is thick enough. Or, if you want a thrill, you could try ice blocking down any steep, relatively obstacle-free hill.
Best snowed-in activities
But what to do if the snow is too much? When you're snowed in, the same bad television gets really old really quickly. Here are some fun things to do when the weather's too awful to justify going out.
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Have a cook-off! Get your roommates and friends and invite them to use whatever random ingredients they can find in your kitchen to create a one-of-a-kind meal. Best meal wins!
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Puzzles are a great way to while away the hours. If you have a 1,000-piece one, the snow will probably melt before you finish it.
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Board games are another easy way to beat the cold. If you're having flashbacks to endless games of Monopoly with your parents, make up your own rules.
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If you and your roommate are musical, start a jam band. Even if you're just playing chords, it'll be fun trying to harmonize.
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Finally, there's the age-old favorite: cuddling up in blankets, drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows and watching movies while you wait for the snowplows to make their way to your street.
