After suffering through a winter storm which covered the campus with snow and ice, Ball State students have a few options: stay inside cuddled under a blanket or get out of their rooms and partake in winter activities.
Ball State students prove that even if they aren't kids, they can still have fun in the winter.
"Over winter break, my hometown received 20 inches of snow," Angelina Zulas, sophomore social work major, said. "The snow was so tall that my brother and I stood outside then fell backwards and let the snow embrace us. It was impossible to make a snow angel because you would fall
so deep."
Ice Skating
One activity students can participate in is ice skating. However, there are no ice skating rinks in Muncie.
"To fight Muncie's lack of ice rinks, I'll just use the streets," Zulas said.
Last year, Ball State's Late Nite had an ice rink set up in LaFollette field, which gave students a little piece of winter fun. The closest ice skating rink is 55 minutes away at The Forum in Fishers, a twin rink that also has an arcade. An alternative to ice skating is roller skating or blading.
Gibson Roller Skating Arena in Muncie used to have ice skating when it opened in 1940, but now the arena is home to other fun indoor attractions such as a mini-golf course and an arcade, in addition to the skating rink.
Gibson owner Ann Sheridan said she sees a good amount of Ball State students come in to skate and play.
Sledding
Sledding is another activity many people do at least once in their lives.
An unusual way to sled is on flat ground in trash bags or to use food trays from the dining facilities around campus. While students were trying to hike through icy and snowy sidewalks Tuesday, one group of Indiana Academy students were sliding down them in the Quad.
Lauren Snyder, Indiana academy junior, said Tuesday was the first time she had ever been trash bag sledding.
The group had strong trash bags, which they ripped holes in for either their legs or head and then crawled inside. They ran and threw themselves on the ground, attempting to slide as far as they could, or they had someone push them.
"It's pretty fun," she said. "I've heard people talking about it and really wanted to try it myself."
A good hill for sledding near Muncie is by Prairie Creek Reservoir in Perry, Ind.
It is a 25 minute drive, but worth it, said Patricia Hunter, sophomore psychology major. She said she went there with her family when she was younger and had a blast. Hunter is from Muncie and said there were a lot of hills in the countryside where she grew up as well. Other places to sled include McCullough Park and the hills around the White River.
Traditions
Sledding isn't Hunter's favorite winter pastime. She holds another tradition close to heart.
Hunter said she enjoys walking in the snow and drinking hot chocolate.
"It's the contrast of the crisp air and the hot chocolate in my hands. I can feel it through my gloves so I don't freeze," she said.
A good place to take a walk is Minnetrista Cultural Center, Hunter said.
"Minnetrista has a luminary walk around Christmas time and there are lights and horse-drawn carriages," she said.
After the Christmas season, though, it can be hard to be enthusiastic about the chilly weather.
Sometimes it can be just as good to stay inside and use the time to bond with loved ones.
"It is the perfect chance for my beau and me to snuggle up and watch movies or play video games," Zulas said.
Winter Getaways
A trip to a ski resort is a good way to get away from Muncie for a day or weekend.
Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Ind., is only an hour and a half drive away and has tubing, skiing and snowboarding.
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