Photo Courtesy of Carmen Mickelson ‘24
By Cayley Delancey ’22
Staff Writer
Between the icy sidewalks, cold temperatures and short daylight hours, outdoor recreation might be near the bottom of your wishlist for the beginning of spring semester. But with current COVID-19 restrictions, getting outside can be a fun way to spend time with friends, get to know the campus and Pioneer Valley and enjoy some wintery New England fun. Here are eight outdoorsy activities to try on and around campus this winter.
1. Enjoy campus trails
The College has an extensive network of trails beyond the popular Upper Lake Loop. Check out Prospect Hill, which is accessible from the Prospect Parking Lot via the Old Carriage Road, the Ham/MacGregor Parking Lot or the Delles Hill. Keep your eyes peeled for an old stone structure and a student-made tree lean-to. Sunset is especially pretty from Prospect Hill in the winter as you overlook campus, but make sure to bring a headlamp to look out for ice on the way back.
An additional trail on the far side of the Upper Lake trail follows Stony Brook to the cross country jumping course used by the Equestrian Center. Along these trails are equestrian cross country jumps, as well as beautiful views of Stony Brook and the cross country field. This is a great place to go to feel secluded out in nature.
2. Go sledding on the Delles hill
The Delles hill is a perfect sledding location with a long sledding history. On snow days, the Outing Club hosts office hours for most of the day so that you can easily rent sleds for free and hit the slopes. No sleds available? Try a piece of cardboard, or mask up and ask to share with someone on the hill — it’s a great way to meet new people.
3. Go cross country skiing at the Mount Holyoke golf course
In the winter, Mount Holyoke’s golf course is a popular cross country skiing area for South Hadley locals. Located just a 10 minute walk from Kendall Sports and Dance Complex, you can ski on ungroomed trails around the golf course for some classic Nordic fun. No skis? No problem. Rent a pair from the Outing Club before heading out. The Mount Holyoke Outing Club holds office hours every school day, usually from 5-6 p.m. Check updated hours by joining the Outing Club mailing list on Embark.
4. Go on a hike in the Holyoke Range
Although the Notch Visitor Center, located right off the PVTA 39 route, is currently closed for the winter season, the location offers a host of outdoor activities. Go cross country skiing down the Robert Frost Trail, or hike Mount Norwottuck, 3.8 miles round-trip, or Bare Mountain, one mile round-trip. If you’re feeling ambitious, hike the Seven Sisters Range from the Notch Visitor Center to the Summit House on the actual Mount Holyoke and back for a challenging 10.2-mile round trip.
5. Get outside on an Outing Club trip
Every weekend, the Mount Holyoke Outing Club leads trips around the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Activities range from winter hikes in New Hampshire to arts and crafts in the local area, so no matter your outdoor skill level, there’s an activity for everyone. You can sign up for trips on Embark, and if you join the mailing list, you’ll be alerted when new trips are posted. If you want to get more involved, students can become Outing Club leaders and host their own trips. The Outing Club also rents out skis, ice skates, sleds and camping equipment during their office hours.
6. Join a guided trip with the Hampshire OPRA Program
Mount Holyoke College students can sign up for the outdoor trips that Hampshire College’s Outdoor Programs, Recreation and Athletics department runs on the weekend. Trips range from learning how to track animal prints to multi-day ski-packing over extended breaks. During the winter, they’re hosting a weekly bus to Berkshire East for downhill skiing. Prices vary between trips. More information can be found at their website.
7. Shop Local at the Amherst Winter Market
If you love supporting local businesses, check out the Amherst Winter Market. Local vendors from around the Pioneer Valley sell items ranging from fresh produce, cheeses and wines to pastries, coffee, soaps and knit goods. The market is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amherst Regional Middle School. You can reach the Amherst Winter Market by taking the PVTA 38 to Pray Street and walking 0.7 miles.
8. Try out ice skating at UMass’ Mullins Center
Have the recent U.S. Figure Skating Championships inspired you to try out skating yourself? At the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Mullins Center, Mount Holyoke students can ice skate to their heart’s content in UMass Amherst’s indoor rink. Admission costs $5 for Mount Holyoke students, with an additional $5 cost for gear rental, although students can also rent gear from the Mount Holyoke Outing Club for free. Free skate times generally fall on Sundays, although hours vary from week to week, so check the Mullins Center Free Skate website prior to making plans. The Mullins Center is accessible from Mount Holyoke by taking the PVTA 38 to Haigis Mall and walking 0.5 miles.