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DEM Hosts Free Fun Outdoor Activities for February School Break

Saturday, February 08, 2014

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

The Department of Environmental Management has unveiled a host of free activities for children and families during those restless February vacation days.

“Winter is a terrific time to get outdoors, enjoy nature, get fit and have fun, and our state parks are some of the best places to play and experience new activities,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “I hope Rhode Islanders will visit Pulaski Park in Glocester to trek through the snow on cross country skis or snow shoes, and come out to see some of the beautiful trout DEM is raising at the Lafayette Fish Hatchery. These events are great opportunities for children and families to learn about the natural world and engage in interesting and healthy activities.”

Families can stop by the Pulaski Memorial Recreation Area in Glocester from 10am to 2pm on Monday the 17th for demonstrations and lessons in snow shoeing, cross country skiing and even ice fishing. If warm weather precludes those events, staff will lead guided hikes and walks around the trails and pond that the park houses. Activities will vein at the warm-up hut/pavilion in the bench area of the park. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment.

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The following day, Tuesday the 18th, the DEM will offer tours of the Lafayette Fish Hatchery in North Kingston continuously from 10am to 2pm. Lafayette is one of three fish hatcheries where the DEM raises fish to be stocked in state waters. On the tours, participants will learn all about the functions and the hatchery as well as more about the fish that are raised there.

Activities are subject to weather conditions. For more information on the free activities or the many outdoor sites maintained by the DEM, visit their website at www.dem.ri.gov.

Related Slideshow: 14 New England Snow Tubing Spots

Ski Ward

Great for Worcester families, Ski Ward is the perfect destination for everything snow. On any given day, there are over 200 tubes, up to 8 snow tubing lanes in operation, and 2 lifts to bring you back up for another slide down Ward Hill! This year, Ski Ward is celebrating their 75th anniversary, and it’s no secret what has kept them open so long. For a deal, head over on Tuesdays—on the 1st Tuesday of the month tickets are only $7.50 (for their 75th anniversary), and all other Tuesdays tickets will be $19.39 (that’s the year they opened their doors!).

1000 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA. (508) 842-6346.

Photo: James Emery/Flickr

Yawgoo

Another New England ski area that is celebrating an anniversary this year is RI's Yawgoo Valley Ski Area and Sports Park—they turn 50! Visit Rhode Island’s only ski area to help them celebrate. For only $12, enjoy a 50-minute session of tubing fun! After tubing, head to the snow tubing park’s concession stand to grab a hot chocolate and thaw out!

160 Yawgoo Valley Road, Exeter, RI. (401) 294-3802.

Photo: Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism/Flickr

Nashoba Valley

Also turning 50 this year is Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford, MA. Open seven days and seven nights all season long, this is the perfect place to get your snow fix. Fly down up to eighteen groomed lanes, serviced by four lifts to minimize wait time. If you need a break to fuel up, visit the onsite snow tubing park lodge, featuring a full bar, TVs, and a warm place to relax.

79 Powers Road, Westford, MA. (978) 692-3033.

Photo: Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism/Flickr

Ski Butternut

The Berkshire region of Massachusetts is ideal for a winter getaway. At about an hour and a half drive from Worcester and a two-hour drive from Providence, it is close enough to make a day trip out of it, but the area’s beauty will make you forget you’re so close to home. In the Berkshire town of Great Barrington, you will find Ski Butternut on East Mountain. The price is right for a great tubing experience—only $20 for two hours. This park features 8 tubing lanes, 7 chutes, 200 tubes, an old fashioned handle lift, and 100% snowmaking coverage.

380 State Road, Rte. 23, Great Barrington, MA. (413) 528-2000.

Photo: Alon Banks/Flickr

Amesbury Sports Park

When many people think of northeastern Massachusetts, they think of the beaches and dunes. Well, the town of Amesbury boasts something a little different: Amesbury Sports Park. During the winter, they are 100% dedicated to snow tubing fun on their lanes—the hill is the steepest tubing hill in the state.

12 S Hunt Road, Amesbury, MA. (978) 388-5788.

Photo: Ines Hegedus-Garcia/Flickr

Mount Snow

Vermont is known for their pristine 4-season scenery, their mountains, their maple syrup, and so much more. One winter thrill that is a Vermont do-not-miss is snow tubing! Check out the park at Mount Snow in West Dover. The hill is one of the largest available for snow tubing in the state, and is always covered with plenty of snow, even when there is none in your back yard.

39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover, VT. (802) 245-SNOW.

Photo: John Benson/Flickr

Woodbury Ski Area

Woodbury Ski Area in Woodbury, CT is the largest snow tubing park in all of New England. This place is huge—you get to race down their 20 tubing lanes located in 3 different tubing parks serviced by 4 different lifts. Each park is very different, from terrain to speed and more. If you’re going tubing with a group, ask about their family size tubes!

785 Washington Road, Woodbury, CT. (203) 263-2203.

Photo: Aine D/Flickr

Killington Tubing Park

Killington is another Vermont favorite. Take a cruise down one of the tubing lanes at Killington’s snow tubing park, found right at the heart of this Green Mountain resort. Once you're all snow tubed out, get some R&R at The Clubhouse, where you can grab warm snacks, drinks, pub food, hand-tossed pizza, and more!

4763 Killington Road, Killington, VT. (802) 422-6201.

Photo: Mt. Hood Territory/Flickr

Pats Peak

Every weekend or school break, Pats Peak in Henniker, NH opens up its snow tubing park for business! In order to ride the tubes down the mountain, riders are required to lie on their stomachs, making for a thrilling experience! If you want to try a bit of everything, visit Pats Peak on Saturday night or Martin Luther King Day. For just $48, enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and lesson tips!

686 Flanders Road, Henniker, NH. (603) 428-3245.

Photo: BaileyPalBlue

Berkshire East

Berkshire East in Charlemont is another Berkshire gem. Enjoy 2 hours of tubing for only $20 on 3 separate 450-foot long tubing lanes. There is an old fashioned handle lift to bring you back up to the top once your cruise down the mountain is done!

66 Thunder Mountain Road, Charlemont, MA. (413) 339-6617.

Photo: David Shankbone

Loon Mountain

Head to Loon Mountain and let gravity take you for a cruise. Take in the beautiful mountain views while you tube down the mountain, and grab a snack and hot chocolate afterwards at the Slopeside Deli. Tubing at Loon is super convenient for families with little ones; they have a special tot tubing area for kids under 7.

60 Loon Mountain Road, Lincoln, NH. (603) 745-8111.

Photo: Jamsong

Magic Mountain

Head to Magic Mountain in Londonderry, VT for a fun-filled day of snow. Ride down one of the several tubing lanes and breathe in some fresh mountain air. After your day of tubing, head to the Black Line Tavern afterwards for a delicious family dinner.

495 Magic Mountain Acc., Londonderry, VT. (802) 824-5645.

Photo: Randy Bennett

Bousquet Mountain

One of the best values for tubing in Massachusetts is to be had at Bousequet Mountain in Pittsfield, located in the cultural district of the Berkshires. There are plenty of open tubing lanes and chutes for people over 5 years old—and the price is only $15 for 2 hours on the mountain.

101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA. (413) 442-8316.

Photo: Randy Bennett

Grafton Ponds

Although there is only one snow tubing lane at Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center, it will be worth the wait to take the ride down the hill. The lane is 600 feet long, one of the longest in New England. Their special snowmaking process ensures perfect conditions all winter long.

783 Townshand Road, Grafton, VT. (802) 843-2400.

Photo: David Shankbone

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