1. Student Suggestions for Winter Activities in Chicago Playing Hockey – At many local arenas, there are leagues for all levels of play (beginner to expert). At several times throughout the week, arenas also host “rat hockey” (pick-up games). Here is a list of some nearby arenas: Near West Side – Johnny’s Ice House – www.johnnysicehouse.comwww.johnnysicehouse.com Irving Park – McFetridge Sports Center – http://mcfetridgesportscenter.com/http://mcfetridgesportscenter.com/ Lincolnwood – Heartland Ice Arena – http://www.heartlandicearena.com/http://www.heartlandicearena.com/ Bensenville – Edge Ice Arena – http://www.bensenville.il.us/index.aspx?NID=148http://www.bensenville.il.us/index.aspx?NID=148 Skating – Almost all of the arenas above offer open skating times. In addition, there are eight places in the city of Chicago to skate outdoors. See http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/ice-rinks/ for details. There are two ice rinks downtown – one in Millennium Park, and a new skating “ribbon” in Maggie Daley Park. The rink on the Midway is free for students with their own skates.http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/ice-rinks/Millennium Park Cross Country Skiing – If we ever get snow, there are a number of places close by to cross country ski. Usually there is only charges for equipment rental, not for the skiing! Northerly Island (right by Soldier Field) – http://origin-www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Northerly- Island/#tpsfpinhm9 – they rent skis (and snowshoes) for $5.http://origin-www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Northerly- Island/#tpsfpinhm9 REI also rents skis (http://www.rei.com/stores/lincoln-park.html).http://www.rei.com/stores/lincoln-park.html If you have your own skis or want to rent some, there are a number of nearby places; some may also provide rentals: Cook County Forest Preserves – http://fpdcc.com/recreation/cross-county-skiing/http://fpdcc.com/recreation/cross-county-skiing/ Sagawau Nordic Ski Program – http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/sagawau-environmental-learning- center/sagawau-nordic-ski-program/http://fpdcc.com/nature-centers/sagawau-environmental-learning- center/sagawau-nordic-ski-program/ Arrowhead Golf Club skiing – http://www.arrowheadgolfclub.org/gen/gen_crosscountryskiing.htmlhttp://www.arrowheadgolfclub.org/gen/gen_crosscountryskiing.html Sledding – There are a number of sledding hills in the Cook County Forest Preserves (the closest one is in the Dan Ryan Woods on 87 th St. and Western Ave.).Cook County Forest Preserves Hockey Spectating – If you love to watch hockey, but refuse to pay Chicago Blackhawks prices, there are some other much more affordable options:Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Wolves (AHL) – http://chicagowolves.com/http://chicagowolves.com/ Chicago Steel (USHL) – http://www.chicagosteelhockeyteam.com/http://www.chicagosteelhockeyteam.com/ Other Sports Spectating – There are a couple of other interesting winter sports events happening nearby soon: USA Curling Nationals – Kalamazoo, MI, Feb. 14-21. http://www.2015curlingnationals.com/http://www.2015curlingnationals.com/ Norge Ski Jump Tournament – Fox River Grove, IL, Jan. 24-25. http://www.norgeskiclub.com/http://www.norgeskiclub.com/