6 Fun Things To Do In The Winter If You Don't Ski or Ride.

Saint Michael's is certainly a popular school for people who, at any given moment, would rather be on a snowy slope (as evident in the $65 Smugg's season pass that's subsidized for students by the Wilderness Program). But there are still many student who don't ski or ride, and winter can be fun for them too!

1. Burlington Arts and Music

The Flynn Center, Higher Ground, and tons of smaller venues in Burlington and Winooski offer music, touring Broadway musicals, plays, and entertainment all year (American Idiot will be at the Flynn in February!), for most of which one can find reduced student pricing. Otherwise, Burlington is a magnet of sorts for local, creative and delicious restaurants (like Bueno, Henry's, Flatbread, The Farmhouse...)

2. Ice Climbing (seriously)

The WP offers ice climbing excursions throughout the spring semester, and the trips are accessible for any level of climber. Also, the program will provide all the gear, guiding, and expertise of a professional guiding company, at a small cost to participants. But, let's be real, the WP is a viable option during any season.

3. Indoor Climbing at Petra Cliffs

Students can also go indoor rock climbing at the local gym, Petra Cliffs. Saint Mike's students can get a schoolyear pass for $45, also through the WP. Especially for those who like to be active in warmer temperatures, Petra is a fun way to break a sweat and stay in shape for summer climbing. Saint Mike's also has a small climbing wall in the Athletic Center (Ross/Tarrant).

4. Boston

Megabus and Amtrak offer bus and train service to Boston from Burlington every day of the week, so if you want to escape to a city for the weekend, it's a short (3h18m) and inexpensive ride away. Montreal is another option, and a little closer too (1h45m); an obvious caveat being that a passport is required for travel. While Burlington's a lively place, super urban environments are not far away.

5. Intramural Sports

Varsity sports are a huge commitment, but you can still play gym sports like basketball and volleyball in Saint Mike's intramural sports leagues. They're low-intensity and lots of fun, and winning teams get t-shirts ;p

6. MOVE 

MOVE offers volunteer opportunities all year, from weekly local programs to extended service trips. Extended service happen over winter and spring break, and following the end of the spring semester; going everywhere from Kolkata to Kentucky. The latter involves an application process, but anyone can sign up for weekly programs if there's space available.

So even if you're not a boarder/skier, Saint Mike's offers enough to keep even the least-wintry of us busy. That being said, you can learn to ski if you'd like! Subsidized lessons are offered through the WP, as well :D

Thanks for reading!