It’s Canada Goose Season… Again

Everyone knows the feeling: seeing your breath in front of your eyes, shivering in pain despite choosing to not wear gloves (because gloves are for the weak), slipping and almost embarrassing yourself with an icy fall around campus. Ah, yes. State College winters have come back with full force, and there’s nowhere to hide. When you step outside the comfort of your dorm or apartment, all you see are students and faculty bundled up like Ralphie from “A Christmas Story”. Whether you’re braving the weather in your “big black puffa” jacket or staying indoors for fear of hypothermia, here are some things to look out for this winter in State College. 

“The Gang Has a Snow Day”

Everyone couldn’t help but take advantage of the three-day weekend that followed this past “sylly” week. But what was the icing on the cake was the almost foot of snow that Mother Nature showered over us on Sunday night and the following Monday. Remember though, we’re college kids — it snows one day and no one knows how to act. 

It was a childhood fever dream and let’s face it — who wouldn’t want to relive their childhood sledding with their college friends, neighbors and strangers? If there is one school you can count on to be creative with a snow day, it’s Penn State. From sledding in canoes and an all-out snowball fight on the HUB Lawn to a lightsaber fight and Frozone, it was a snow day for the ages, and there are certainly more to come during this brutal State College winter. 

Sweater Weather 

While we were all so excited about getting back into the classroom this year, we all forgot one crucial element to this normalcy, and it’s walking to class in subzero-like temperatures. Defrosting from your frigid walk to class can take hours. Ouch! But if there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that you’re one of the lucky ones if online classes are an option for you. 

No matter if you’re braving the cold for the sake of that attendance grade or taking advantage of Zoom, here are some things you can do to pass the time as we are all waiting for State College to defrost!

Tussey Mountain

Whether you’re a pro or a first-timer on the slopes, you can’t deny the serotonin rush it gives you to go down the mountain. If skiing or snowboarding is too daunting or out of your price range, there’s always snow tubing on the weekends!

Movie Nights

As much as we all love a night out on the town, nights that you decide to stay in and watch a movie with friends are highly underrated, especially during this time of year. So get your favorite sweatsuit on, pop some popcorn, and enjoy the simple moments like these low-key nights. 

Cozy Spots Downtown

While it’s understandable to not want to leave your room, especially when it’s below freezing outside, sometimes we all need a breath of fresh air. VALLEY recommends stopping at a local coffee spots like Sower’s Harvest, Irving’s or the new Elixr Coffee Roasters to warm up and take a break from your apartment. 

Tweet us, @VALLEYmag, with your favorite ways to stay warm this winter in State College!

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