Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

What’s winter break without snow?

There’s plenty to do locally now that the flakes are beginning to fall. Skiing, sledding, skating -- it’s all in Rhode Island.

Although Yawgoo Valley makes snow all winter long, isn’t there something special about skiing while it’s snowing? Check out the current conditions at the Exeter slopes online.

Another way to capture that fun side of winter? Ice skating.

Of course, there's the Bank of America City Center rink downtown, a great place to take a half-hour twirl on the ice during lunch -- or after work, while everyone else is skidding out on the highway, you can work on your double axel (it's got that funny spelling because it's actually named after someone).

There are also rinks in South County, East Bay and along the Blackstone Valley River.

If you'd rather watch, you're in luck, too. The U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships are in Providence at the Dunkin Donuts Center.

But remember, ice does not an ice skating rink make.

According to the state Department of Environmental Management, you can't tell if ice is safe just by looking. There are many factors that determine ice stability, including the salinity, and presence of currents and streams.

Get more information about the ice skating safety in the DEM's ice safety guide.

Find a list prime sledding hills online at Kidoinfo.com, a blog devoted to activities for parents and kids in Rhode Island.

And for a winter break lesson in civic responsibility, have the kids help shovel the sidewalks.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson

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