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Thanks to West Virginia University, it might be hard to think of Morgantown, W.Va., as anything but a college town. However, there are other ways to fill weekends and fight winter boredom in this college town than just homework. Where can you find a great place to build a snowman or sled? Chances are if a snowman is built anywhere in Morgantown it will be with black, dirty snow. Located just 10 miles outside of Morgantown, however, Chestnut Ridge Park offers many snow activities to people of all ages. Their 350-foot sledding hill is open to the public and free all winter providing that there is snow. Toboggans can be rented by the hour. “We used to go there all the time when I was in college,” said former Morgantown resident Connie White. A toboggan festival is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.  Jan. 16., according to the park’s Web site. The festival includes games such as pin the toboggan on the snowman, reindeer rodeo and toboggan limbo. However, there hasn’t been much of a toboggan festival in the past two years due a lack of snow. The early December snow is a good sign for tobogganing enthusiasts in the area, but a “no snow date” is arranged for Jan. 23 just in case. If you prefer a more age-appropriate way to play in the snow, head 41 miles from Morgantown to Wisp Ski Resort in Maryland. The resort is a big hit with WVU students because it runs a student day special on Tuesdays. After Jan. 4 students can present their student ID for cheap lift tickets and equipment rentals. “I try to take advantage of the student special whenever I’m not studying on a Tuesday night,” novice snowboarder Ariel Buric, said. However, there also are people who hate the cold, wet snow and would prefer to do more indoor activities. The newest winter hit in Morgantown is the locally owned craft center, The Wow Factory, in Star City. “People come in, pick out piece of pottery and start painting,” said owner Dina Muttillo. “You don’t have to be Monet to come here and paint.” She says they also offer glass fusing if you want to make your own jewelry and mosaic art if you’re looking for something a bit more challenging. “I don’t have an artistic bone in my body,” said junior April Meece. “But the cookie jar I painted still turned out great.” The prices are inclusive and include the use of paints, brushes, idea resource books, glazing and firing. “The look in someone’s eyes when they come to pick up their work a week later is amazing,” Muttillo said. West Virginia University Arts and Entertainment provides many affordable shows throughout the long winter months for people looking to hear some good music or see a play. “We always have something going on,” said Alison Daly of WVU A&E. “And there are a lot of really good performers lined up for this winter.” Jam band Tea Leaf Green is to rock the Mountainlair Ballrooms Jan. 29, according to Daly. The band has shared the stage with The Dave Matthews Band, Bob Weir and Bruce Hornsby. “They have amazing lyrics and a great sound,” said fan Mark Darrell. Mountain Stage will be back in Morgantown Jan. 17 with entertainers Mark O’Conner Hot Swing Trio, Kaukonen & Bromberg, Vetiver and Among the Oak & Ash, according to the WVU A&E Web site. Tickets for both these shows are available for a fee. Perhaps the most anticipated show of the new year comes at the end of the winter. On March 12 Blue Collar Comedian Ron White will return to the WVU campus to play two shows on his Behavioral Problems tour. “Tickets sold out before I could get any last time he was here,” said senior Jessica Baldwin. “I’ve seen him on Comedy Central and CMT a lot and always cry because he makes me laugh so hard.” With a valid student ID, students can purchase discount tickets at the Mountainlair or CAC box offices. “While winter in Morgantown is probably one of my least favorite things, it is bearable,” Meece said. “You just have to be creative and do a little digging on the Internet or through the locals to find the fun stuff.”            

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