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01.22.09

Winter Wanderland

Visiting Yosemite in winter is like seeing a favorite band at a private venue—you can’t believe how lucky you are to be there without the crowds. Head to California’s beloved treasure for an off-season escape that will refresh your spirits and inspire some wintry whoop-dee-doos!  

Yosemite Ice Skate Curry Village

Half Dome Boogie

The outdoor ice rink beneath Yosemite's iconic Half Dome might be the best place this side of Canada to lace up the skates and put one blade in front of the other. Rent your skates at Curry Village, breathe in some fresh air, and hit the counterclockwise flow. Sure, your arms may fly akimbo once in a while, and your form may not be as sleek as Brian Boitano's, but lively tunes from an outdoor speaker will help keep you in the groove—and may even inspire a triple lutz or two. Take a breather at the outdoor firepit and marvel at the winter wilderness all around. Ice skating to views of Half Dome? Icesome!

BONUS: The five-star Ahwahnee Hotel becomes extra cozy in the winter. Head there for an après-skate; grab your favorite hot beverage from the bar, and make your way to a fireside couch in the Great Lounge.

The Curry Village Ice Rink has 2.5-hour skate sessions: on the weekends it's 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Weekdays is only 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) It costs $11 per adult to rent skates and go out on the rink. The rink typically operates through late February.

Activity
Relax, Winter
Region
Points Beyond
Snowshoe Yosemite Badge Pass

Snowshoe Sampler

California's oldest ski resort is also a mecca for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Yosemite's Badger Pass will rent you all the gear you need to explore its 90 miles of marked trails. We recommend joining one of the resort's organized outings to venture into the backcountry. Two-hour guided snowshoe treks depart at 10:30 a.m. every day during winter; rangers lead these easy expeditions through red fir forest, sharing tales and trivia along the way. The trip climaxes with a primo photo op of the Clark Range and the Sierra Nevadas from Old Glacier Point Road. Say "Freeze!"

TIP: Ranger-led full moon snowshoe walks are offered Feb. 5―9 and March 7―11. (Sign up in advance.) Tramp under nature's best spotlight.

A $5 donation is requested on ranger-led snowshoe treks to cover the cost of the snowshoes. Full moon snowshoe walks are $16.50.

Activity
Hike, Winter
Region
Points Beyond
Glacier Point Ski Hut in Yosemite

Hut So Good

Yosemite's Glacier Point is famous for good reason: the views are some of the grandest in the world. In summer, hordes of tour buses, families, cameras, and general craziness descend on this point; but in winter, look left, look right, and all you see are Ansel Adams-worthy inspirations: glacier-carved granite walls, snow-clad peaks, Half Dome, and waterfalls in the crisp Sierra air. After the first big snow, Glacier Point Road is closed, making the 10.5-mile journey there possible only by ski or snowshoe. Rent a pair of touring skis (similar to cross-country skis but with edges) and glide to one of America's premier ski-in huts—Glacier Point Ski Hut. (The trip to Glacier Point Hut is accessible for do-it-yourself types, but guided tours are also available.) It's not just the extraordinary views that make this hut unique. A hut master welcomes you with hot cocoa, tea, soup, and other snacks—if you're lucky, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies—along with a wood-burning stove to warm your toes. Also included at the hut: three delicious meals a day, and wine with dinner and dessert. At sunset, make the 5-minute walk out to the official Glacier Point viewing spot, and watch as the sun's rays light up Half Dome, while Nevada, Vernal, and Yosemite Falls free-flow in the distance. Stick around for a few minutes after sunset and watch as the mountain sky turns purple and indigo. Back at the hut, enjoy a hearty dinner and play card games (Spoons is highly recommended). Before going to sleep, head outside for one last look at the starry sky; the Milky Way seems close enough to touch.

Glacier Point Ski Hut is accessible with a guide ($350 per person) or self-guided ($120 per person). Rent all the gear, including an internal frame backpack, at the Badger Pass Cross-Country Ski Center. Three meals a day are included with your stay. To make a reservation, call 209-372-8444.

Activity
Overnights, Winter
Region
Points Beyond
Mercy Get Back Your Game Tour

Get Back Your Game

Whether it's running the American River Parkway, skiing Tahoe, or playing pick-up hoops, there are lots of ways to stay active—and, unfortunately, to hurt yourself. If your healthy lifestyle has sidelined you, then the sports medicine experts at Mercy can help you Get Back Your Game. Sports injuries can usually be treated effectively, getting you back to doing the things you love. Want to learn more? Mercy is going on a Get Back Your Game Tour. Speak with sports medicine pros, orthopedic physicians, physical therapists, and dietitians. From examination to rehabilitation, Mercy is there for you all the way. Mingle with fellow fitness enthusiasts as you learn to calculate your heart rate, test your core strength, and understand how good nutrition keeps you injury-free. But hurry. The Get Back Your Game Tour isn't around for long. Your road to recovery and well-being is scheduled below. Don't miss out! Happy healthiness!

BONUS: Every tour attendee will have the chance to win a $100 Fleet Feet Sports gift card.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Sacramento
Thursday, Jan. 29, 6 p.m.: Rio Del Oro Racquet Club (119 Scripps Drive)
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m.: Natomas Racquet Club (2450 Natomas Park Drive)
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.: Capital Athletic Club (1515 8th Street)

Gold River
Thursday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m.: Gold River Racquet Club (2201 Gold Rush Drive)

Roseville
Thursday, Feb. 5, 6 p.m.: Johnson Ranch Racquet Club (2501 Eureka Road)

Folsom
Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.: Broadstone Racquet Club (820 Halidon Way)

El Dorado Hills
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.: El Dorado Hills Sports Club (530 Post Court)

Rocklin
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m.: Rocklin Sunset Center (2650 Sunset Boulevard)

Elk Grove
Thursday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m.: Gold's Gym (2285 Longport Court)
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m.: Laguna Creek Racquet Club (9570 Racquet Court)

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