BURLINGTON, VT. - Burlington has yet to experience a typical winter this year; so far there has been more sun and precipitation than snowfall. The first sign of winter in Vermont held off until Jan. 12 when meteorologists predicted 8 inches of snow to fall in some parts of the state, but not Burlington. Even so, the Champlain College Network's newsfeed on Facebook and Twitter was cluttered with weather updates and pictures. Champlain is far from scared of snow. The College's artillery includes heated sidewalks and studded tires, and there has not been a school closing in four years - even that was only a half-day.
Rather, snow evokes youthful excitement in students, faculty and staff for the ski and ride season, winter events and trips sponsored by Champlain College Student Life, and local outdoor activities to get engaged in the greater-Champlain community.

Champlain College Student Life sponsors a range of winter events:
The East's best skiing and riding resorts are less than an hour's drive from campus. Student Life provides shuttles to Sugarbush (Feb. 5, 11), Stowe Mountain Resort (Jan. 29), Bolton Valley Resort (Night Ride - Mar. 16), Jay Peak (Feb. 25), and Smuggler's Notch. Champlain students seasonally ski and ride Sugarbush for just $30!

• Ice Climbing - Feb. 12, 26
  
• Bobsledding in Lake Placid - Feb. 4
  
• Snowman making contest on the IDX Fireside Lounge Balcony - Feb. 18
  
• Winter Picnic - Feb. 29
  
• Winter Waterfall Walk - Apr. 15

For more information on any Champlain College Student Life events, e-mail Morgaine Jennings at mjennings@champlain.edu

When students can't get to the mountain, they often bring their favorite activities closer to campus.

Champlain's Hockey Club Team plays locally at Leddy Park or Essex High School every week. There next games being Feb. 4, 6, and 12 (full schedule at Full Stride's website). Champlain Ski and Ride Club owns two rails that get set up after a good snowfall behind Perry Hall, Champlain's Admissions building. Residents at Quarry Hill, an off-campus dorm, even arranged their own rail jam last year.

For individuals open to public transportation or those with cars at school, there are many winter opportunities in the greater-Burlington area, including:
Three miles of groomed cross country ski trails at Burlington's Intervale
The Intervale hosts two "Wintervale" Festivals - Feb. 5 (there will be a shuttle from Champlain College) and Mar. 11

Local parks and the Burlington Bike Path have also groomed trails for cross country skiing

• Oakledge Park
• Ethan Allen Park
• Waterfront Park

Indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks for recreational skaters and hockey players of all ages

• Starr Farm Park
• Leddy Park - Indoor
• Roosevelt Park - Lighted outdoor rink for skating after dark
• Battery Park
• Waterfront Park

The Burlington Winter Festival with family friendly opportunities - Feb. 4
Snow Carving Competition
Penguin Plunge for brave souls sponsored by Special Olympics Vermont - 11 a.m.

Multiple nearby locations for other winter sports and activities including:

• Ice Fishing
• Dog Sledding
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
• Sleigh Rides at Shelburne Farms

There are plenty of local activities to ensure that Champlain students, faculty and staff do not go stir-crazy in the winter months. Even if one does not ski or snowboard, Champlain College and Burlington, VT are ideal places to visit, live, or attend school any time of year.