Throughout the semester, we will feature destinations and locations that you can enjoy for under $20 and within 20 miles. These will be called our ’20 Under 20′ features.

By Katherine Bossardet

Winding Trails, located in Farmington (less than 8 miles from CCSU), is a non-profit organization that offers year-round outdoor activities for people of all ages and abilities.

During the winter, the facility boasts cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, sledding and snow tubing.  Mary Collins, a professor in CCSU’s English department, is an avid cross country skier who frequents Winding Trails.

“Winding Trails is a wonderful local resource that’s really underused” said Collins. “The trails have been fantastic this year and I recommend Winding Trails to all-experienced and newcomer.”

In addition to skiing, ice skating is available under the site’s pavilion, and the sledding hill is 150 feet long at a 20 degree slope.

As for cost effectiveness, a day at Winding Trails can be tailored to your budget. Bring your own sled, ice skates or snow shoes and you can use the facilities for $6. If you do need to rent gear, prices range from $6 (for a snow tube) to $10 (for snow shoes). If you’re looking to cross country ski the prices jump up a bit, but when you consider that you’re paying for a workout and a day of fun, it’s worth it. Day ski passes for adults are $12. For those who don’t own their own cross country gear, rentals are $15 for traditional skis and $17 for skate skis.

Robb Armstrong, Winding Trails’ Recreation Coordinator, acknowledges that, while patrons take advantage of all of the site’s activities, “Skiing is by far the most popular.” The staff and enthusiasts there have been making the most of this year’s record snow fall.

“This winter has been great for us” said Armstrong.

While some trails have been shut down this season due to renovations, the ones that are open are groomed daily and offer a great skiing experience.

Perhaps the best part about this ’20 Under 20′ destination is that it will get you active during a time of year when simply getting out from under the warm covers of your oh-so-comfy dorm bed is painful. And rather than shuffling off to an indoor gym, you get to enjoy the great outdoors during a beautiful time of year. As Collins notes, “It’s a low cost way to have some fun in the hard weather and it’s incredible exercise.”

Winding Trails is open daily from 9-5, December through March, depending on conditions.