Winter sports can cure cabin fever

As the snow continues to fall this winter, students look to the slopes for skiing, snowboarding and other outdoor activities. In a recession, however, such activities can put a strain on pocketbooks. To help ease these financial woes, several businesses now offer discounts to college students. Peak'n Peek Resort and Spa in Findley Lake, N.Y., holds a College ID Night where lift tickets are discounted after 4 p.m. for students with valid college identification.


"You have to go to the main ticket office to purchase it, and it's for a night lift pass," said Peak'n Peek employee Nikki Cerrie. "It's $25 and it's normally $34, so you're getting a deal."

The lift ticket includes the price of using the ski lift until 10 p.m. when the park closes. Customers would still have to rent skis or snowboards, or have the option of using the tubing hill that is located in the park.

Located in Ellicottville, N.Y., Holiday Valley offers college discount nights from Sundays through Thursdays. Customer service representative Adam Boe said college students receive $5 off a lift ticket from 4 to 10 p.m. Holiday Valley offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing, as well as lessons.


For something a little different, Cleveland Metroparks features Chalet Toboggan Chutes. The chutes are open from the day after Thanksgiving to the first week in March; snow is not needed for the chutes to operate. According to the Cleveland Metroparks' voice messaging system, tickets are $8 for adults and toboggans are provided. Each toboggan can hold up to four riders. Toboggans are propelled down two twin refrigerated ice chutes. Season passes and group discounts are available.

Additionally, for those who aren't the thrill-seeking type, the Ice Zone in Boardman holds open ice-skating time several days of the week. Although the Ice Zone does not offer a discount to college students, it offers $3 ice-skating on Sundays, including skate rentals, from either 1 to 3 p.m. or 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.