When snow flies and water freezes, people who love winter sports describe Rochester as "the place to be" for some action-packed, adrenaline-pumping fun. Dotted with an array of downhill ski runs, sparkling cross-country ski trails, ice rinks and scenic wooded areas for hiking or snow-shoeing, the beauty of coldrush country will inspire even armchair athletes.

Staying active is a great way to warm up to winter, and "coldrush" offers countless ways to do just that. For more information on "coldrush" activities visit www.GoForTheCold.com

DOWNHILL SKIING

The Indoor Ski Area
www.indoorskiarea.com
Hunt Hollow Ski Club
www.hunthollow.com
Bristol Mountain
www.bristolmountain.com
Swain Ski and Snowboard Center
www.swain.com
Northampton and Powder Mills Parks
www.swain.com

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING

Monroe County Parks
www.monroecounty.gov
Genesee Country Village and Nature Center
www.gcv.org
Cumming Nature Center
www.rmsc.org

ICE SKATING

Ellison Park
Highland Park
Churchville Park
Genesee Valley Park
www.monroecounty.gov
ESL Sports Center
www.eslsportscentre.com

SLEDDING

Ellison Park
Highland Park
Churchville Park
www.monroecounty.gov

Of course, indoor sports such as racquetball, volleyball, tennis, swimming or bowling are as easy to find in the winter as they are in the summer months. For a real indoor adventure, try out a rope course, indoor rock climbing, or a game of laser tag.

SPORTS EVENTS

Rochester is the #1 Minor League Sports market in the Country. Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal - July 25, 2005.

Rochester Knighthawks Lacrosse
www.knighthawks.com
585-454-5335

Rochester Americans Hockey www.amerks.com
585-454-5335

Rochester RazorSharks Basketball
www.razorsharks.com
585-232-9190

JANUARY

Ski Company: Adult Race League January 4 - February 15 www.bristolmountain.com. Designed for racers ages 21 and older. Racing for all abilities, skiers and snowboarders. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

Wednesday Ladies Apres-Ski Luncheon - January 4 through March 8- www.bristolmountain.com. Not just for ladies, not just for skiers. Warm up, Wednesdays, from 12pm-1pm. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

Empire State Cup Hockey Tournament- January 14-16. www.eslsportscentre.com. ESL Sports Centre. 585-424-4625.

FEBRUARY

Rochester Golf Show - February 10 - 12- www.rrcc.com. Rochester Riverside Convention Center. 585-232-3362.

Harlem Globetrotters in Town - February 11- www.ticketmaster.com. The clown princes of basketball. Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. 585-232-1900.

Family Fun-Valentine's Day Sweethearts Celebration. February 11 www.bristolmountain.com. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

Presidential Power-Play Hockey Tournament. February 18 - 20 www.eslsportscentre.com. ESL Sports Centre. 585-424-4625.

MARCH

Annual March Madness Tournament March 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, & 24 -26. www.scottsvilleicearena.com. Scottsville Ice Arena. 585-889-1810.

Family Night at Bristol Mountain. Through March 11 www.bristolmountain.com. A family of three can ski or ride from 4pm-10pm for only $60 with their Wegmans Shoppers Club Card. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

'Bump This' Mogul Competition March 12. www.bristolmountain.com. Features the best bump skiers and riders in the region. Competition for all ages and abilities. Sponsored by Snow Country. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

Rochester Rumble Hockey Tournament. March 17 - 19. www.eslsportscentre.com. ESL Sports Centre. 585-424-4625.

Fireman's Race - March 18 - www.bristolmountain.com. Western New York firefighter's ski race. All proceeds benefit the Finger Lakes Regional Burn Association. Bristol Mountain. 585-374-6000.

OUTDOOR WINTER FUN

ONGOING

Cross-Country Ski Trails. Saturdays and Sundays only www.rmsc.org. Enjoy cross-country skiing on 15 miles of groomed trails. Rentals available. Rochester Museum & Science Center's Cumming Nature Center. 585-374-6160.

Sleigh and Coach Rides - www.heberlestables.com. Through beautiful Ellison Park. Heberle Stables. 585-654-9027. (Call for weather conditions) Reservations Required.

Sleigh Rides. www.grangerhomestead.org. Enjoy a sleigh ride through the beautiful grounds of the homestead. Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum. 585-394-1472. (Weather permitting).

Nature Walks - through March 26 - www.gcv.org. Follow a knowledgeable naturalist on a nature walk to learn about animals and plant life in the region. Themes change every week. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Groundhog Day Festival - January 28 - www.greecechamber.org. Food, beverages, chainsaw carving demonstrations, birds of prey, Frisbee golf, children's ice fishing, a relay race in the snow and many other fun family events. Held at the Greece Canal Park, off of Elmgrove Rd., in the Millennium Lodge. Greece Chamber of Commerce. 585-227-7272.

JANUARY

Skiing in the Village - January 8, 14, 22 & 29 - 30, February 5,12, 18 & 26 www.gcv.org. Skiing in the village returns! Visitors may come to ski, snowshoe or hike in the Historic Village. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Snow Buddies - January 12, 19 & 26 www.gcv.org. A special three-session nature class for children ages 4 & 5. Genesee Nature Center at Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Mendon Ponds Winterfest 2006 - January 22. www.mendonpondswinterfest.org 11th annual Mendon Ponds Winterfest. Bill Koch youth cross country ski races, a North East Regional National Snowshoe Qualifier race, Empire State Game Qualifier races in snowshoeing and orienteering, wildlife exhibits and demonstrations, Wild Wings and Braddock Bay Raptor Research and an astronomy display and star party by the Rochester Astronomy Society. There will be clowns and face painting, appearances by the Wegman's ZooMobile and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department Mounted Patrol and K-9 units. In addition, the Mercy Flight Helicopter is planning to land in front of Stewart Lodge.Games, outdoor winter activities, entertainment, refreshments and fun for all. Mendon Ponds Park. 585-256-4950.

FEBRUARY

"Chilly Chili Challenge" February 5. www.cityofrochester.gov. Sample some of Rochester's "hottest" chili during the challenge. 585-428-6690.

Winter Day - February 12 - www.gcv.org. Come out and enjoy the thrills of winter with outdoor activities, crafts, demonstrations and more. Genesee Country Nature Center at Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Chili Cook-Off Winter Festival February 18 www.VisitIthaca.com. Enjoy the Ithaca Downtown Partnership's Chili Cook-Off's explosion of taste, fun and entertainment including music and mechanical bull rides. Ithaca, New York. 1-800-284-8422.

MARCH

Tracks, Scats & Scrapes - March 12 - www.gcv.org. The entire family will enjoy this program on identifying tracks and other signs left by our local wildlife. Genesee Country Nature Center at Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.

Sap, Syrup and Sugar March 18- 19, 25 - 26 www.gcv.org. History-based nature program traces history of maple sugaring in Upstate New York. Genesee Country Village & Museum. 585-538-6822.