10 Winter Outdoor Activities for Thrills and Chills

Answer the call of the wild in every season. Plus, if you're gonna eat iconic CLE foods (like pierogi, Polish Boys, perch and pączki), then burning calories is a must

Snowshoeing (21st Century) by Lindsay HellerDestination Cleveland

Snowshoeing

The Cleveland Metroparks rents snowshoes (and cross-country skis) at the Big Met Golf Course in Rocky River. Showshoeing is permitted on hiking, bridle and all-purpose trails, as well as the fairways and rough areas of popular Cleveland golf courses.

Cross-Country Skiing (21st Century) by @nopurplemonkeyDestination Cleveland

Cross-Country Skiing

Lake Metroparks offers some of the best in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at its Chapin Forest Reservation, Girdled Road Reservation and Penitentiary Glenn Lodge. 

Tobogganning (21st Century) by Destination ClevelandDestination Cleveland

Tobogganing

Channel your inner bobsledder and speed down two 1,000-foot-long refrigerated ice chutes, which operate with or without snow at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation.

Sledding (21st Century) by @itz.chrystianDestination Cleveland

Sledding

Grab the closest garbage can lid or cafeteria tray and hit the slopes (a real sled works, too). Some of the best sledding can be found in the Cleveland Metroparks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park or parks in the adjacent Summit and Lake counties.

Skiing/Snowboarding/Tubing (21st Century) by Chagrin FallsDestination Cleveland

Skiing/Snowboarding/Tubing

Ohio's largest ski complex is nestled within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Sister properties Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resorts offer all-level skiing, plus snow tubing, snowboarding, snowblading, terrain parks and 100% snow coverage.

Lake Erie Surfing (21st Century) by Stephanie VermillionDestination Cleveland

Lake Erie Surfing

Surf’s up in CLE. Sure, you might feel better in a wetsuit most of the year, but intrepid surfers can be found off Edgewater through the year and that's pretty rad.

Winter Hiking (21st Century) by The Smart RouteDestination Cleveland

Winter Hiking

Breathe some crisp air and catch the sunshine on your face. From farmland and forest to coastline and urban spaces, hiking in The Land has something for everyone, including paved and accessible trails at spots like the Cleveland Metroparks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Snow Biking (21st Century) by Sam Skelton and Mark StewartDestination Cleveland

Snow Biking

Fat bikes (aka snow bikes) use monster truck-like tires to get traction over snow and they ride like a regular mountain bike. If your soul wants to cycle outside, be glad there are several mountain bike tracks to choose and a few places to rent these hard-working two wheelers.

Ice Fishing (21st Century) by Ben CookDestination Cleveland

Ice Fishing

Many locals don't let the winter weather stop them from reeling in steelhead, yellow perch, sunfish and walleye. Look for safe spots near protected harbors to drop a line.

Steelhead Fishing (21st Century) by Claudia SobieckiDestination Cleveland

Steelhead Fishing

Head to inland ponds, Lake Erie tributaries and rivers to catch steelhead, walleye and rainbow trout well into winter. 

To view more information on winter in Cleveland, visit www.ThisisCleveland.com.

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