It takes something really special to get me out of the house when it's as cold as it is during a Louisville winter. Luckily there are enough great Louisville winter attractions to keep me from hibernating until spring.
Ice Skating
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It doesn't really get cold enough here to ice skate outside, but we have a couple of great indoor ice skating rinks where you can either work on your spins or try simply standing on the ice without falling. The first, Iceland Sports Complex, has two full-size skating rinks and skate rentals. I used to go there in high school, and there was always a nice blend of beginners and advanced skaters on the ice. The second is Alpine Ice Arena. Alpine has been in business in Louisville for more than 50 years and has open skate hours every day of the week.
Sledding
(c) 2009 Jessica Elliott
It's not every year that we get enough snow in Louisville to go sledding, but when we do, you can expect to see every kid and parent in the city zooming down hills all over town. Of course, you can sled anywhere, but not every hill is safe for sledding. Luckily, Metro Louisville has designated hills in seven local parks as the best sledding hills in the city. When it snows enough to sled, the city sends out staff to man the designated hills with first aid kits, to build bonfires in extreme cold temperatures, and to call emergency services if necessary.
Skiing
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Paoli Peaks is approximately an hour and thirty minutes outside of Louisville, but it is close enough to claim as our own. It is the place to go if you're in the mood for skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing. Paoli Peaks manufactures snow during the winter months so that children, beginners, and pros alike can take to the slopes for some winter fun. They also serve food, have lodging, and rent equipment, so the only thing you have to bring is yourself.