We sleep in a little later. We eat a few more helpings of cheesy hot dish. We trade a hot Saturday date for a made-for-TV movie and consider it a day well done. It's winter in the Twin Cities, and options for entertainment are limited. Or are they?

Everyone's an expert here when it comes to summer outings, but many of us forget that we can have a good time outdoors when lacy tights give way to long johns. Sure, the piles of snow lessen the appeal of a picnic, and blistering winds turn the Lake Calhoun eye candy into jogging pronto pups. But don't fret. There's plenty to do, and it all depends on your willingness to use what your mama (Nature) gave you: snow, ice and frozen tundra.

As a proud born-and-raised Minnesotan, it's embarrassing to admit how poor a job I've done with my seasonal sport skills. But the advantages of a good winter pastime are underrated, not only for health reasons, but for their fun factor. Slippery surfaces consistently offer chances to point and laugh at cocky friends, and a light snowfall can be disgustingly romantic.

So buy yourself a warm hat, collect your mismatched mittens and gloves until you can fake a pair, and get out into the wild. Here are a few ideas you and your shut-in friends, or lover(s), should check out before that "Top Model" marathon actually becomes appealing.

Sledding

Zooming downhill headfirst, your fate depends on the course of a slim toboggan, where one tiny bump could result in a stinging washout. Sledding is almost always a good idea. Exhilarating downhill and exhausting uphill, riding the plastic magic carpet is a fun way to integrate a workout into your play date. And it's a quick cure for cabin fever that can easily be accompanied with some spiked hot cocoa.

  • Theodore Wirth Park, 1339 Theodore Wirth Pkwy., Mpls., www.minneapolisparks.org: The largest park in Minneapolis, Theo Wirth has a killer sledding hill I've called a favorite since my mittens were connected by strings. The top of the hill offers a beautiful view of the skyline and a real quick trip down. The slope's lack of lights makes it a terrifying experience at dusk.
  • Columbia Recreation Area, 3300 Central Av. NE., Mpls., www.minneapolisparks.org: A collection of various-sized hills makes sledding at Columbia a choose-your-own-adventure. Tube rentals and concessions are available in the clubhouse.
  • French Regional Park, 12605 County Rd. 9, Plymouth, and Hyland Lake Park Reserve, 10145 Bush Lake Rd., Bloomington (both at www.threerivers parkdistrict.org): Only short drives out of the city, both French and Hyland Lake light their hills for a daring pre-dinner activity with your crush.

Snow-tubing

Chubby cousin to the sled, the snow tube is a fun alternative when you need a more organized adrenaline rush. Tube rentals, groomed paths and tow ropes mean all you need to do is show up, belly flop onto the doughnut and hold on. The only drawback is that the process usually requires a bit more cash. Most of the big ski/snowboard parks, such as Buck Hill and Afton Alps, also have pretty extensive tubing options.

Margaret Andrews, Star Tribune
Neighborhood hockey players held a pickup game at the Groveland Outdoor Ice Complex in St. Paul.

  • Badlands Sno-Park, 772 Kinney Rd., Hudson, Wis., www.badlands-snopark.com: A state away, and $10 to $13 per person, but it's a tube lover's dream come true. Badlands has a series of hills for tubers of all "skill" levels, including a bunny slope, moguls and the "big" hill. It's OK to feel a bit intimidated.
  • Trapp Farm Park, 841 Wilderness Run Rd., Eagan, www.cityofeagan.com: The Trapp Farm's downfall may be the lack of a tow rope, but it's cheap at $2.50 per person. The hill is only open on the weekends and it maxes out at 75 tubers.

Cross-Country Skiing

A snowboarder at heart, I've been hesitant to step into some skis and slide around like a fool. I decided to give it a try and use it as an excuse to hang out with my 75-year-old buddy, Ted King. A longtime family friend, Ted and I set off for my first cross-country ski experience at Theodore Wirth golf course. The temperature was perfect, and I could faintly hear the snow melting from the trees. Ted slipped a pear in my pocket in case we got "thirsty," and told me that if I was going to fall, I should slide on my "boompa." I did fall once -- face down, legs and skis braided in the air. Ted's laugh echoed through the trees as spandex-suited experts soared past on the trail. It was a comical winter afternoon worth repeating.

Most groomed trails require a pass, either through Minneapolis Parks or the Three Rivers Park District. Many parks have reasonably priced ski rentals.

  • Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 3815 American Blvd. E., Bloomington: Be a real Minnesotan and ski more than 13 miles of ungroomed trails along the Minnesota River. Let your skis take you places your feet can't and keep your eyes open for muskrats and hoof tracks.
  • Elm Creek Park Reserve, 12400 Elm Creek Park Dr., Maple Grove: Elm Creek has a variety of trails with differentiating skill levels, all equipped with lights for after-dark quests. The park also makes snow.
  • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Aboretum Drive, Chaska, www.arboretum.umn.edu: A perfect 8-mile trail for the naturalist, complete with woods, wetland and prairie.

Hockey

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board hosts hockey teams all over the city, but if you're just looking to play with a few ice-loving friends, head to a rink with whatever equipment you can piece together. Andy Thilmany, 24, hits up the Bryant Square Park ice rink in Uptown almost daily, hoping to play pickup with other random rink rats. Thilmany says most nights he can put together some two-on-two, but this evening there were a full 10 players.

Childhood friends Derrick Lindstrom, 28, and Adam Rolland, 29, were among the skaters scraping around the rink, rounding up neighbors for a quick game. "Playing with strangers may seem creepy to non-hockey players, but that's just how it works," Lindstrom said. "It's a community. It's nice to meet new people."

  • Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Av. S., Mpls.
  • Lake of the Isles ice rink, Lake of the Isles Pkwy., Mpls.
  • Go to www.minneapolisparks.org for organized team schedules and rink locations.

Broomball

In high school I assumed it was just a game kids at my church played on the weekends to avoid booze and other sins, but broomball is actually pretty rad and well worth watching. Just about any night of the week, there's a broomball game in progress somewhere in the city, and although official registration has ended (there's always next year), the men's, women's and co-ed teams say they are always willing to let someone sub in.

Sliding across the ice in spongy broomball shoes, the all-female Bulldogs team chased and whapped a 4-inch inflated orange ball around the rink, dodging around their opponents in the Wednesday night women's league at Bryn Mawr Park. Sheri Eilertson, who calls herself "Bulldyka," the team mascot, sipped on a brew while watching her girlfriend play. Eilertson says she's technically there as a sub, but she always prays "for their health."

"I'm here for the social aspect of the sport," she said with rosy cheeks.

Jean Hunter is playing her first season with the Bulldogs and can't get enough of the sport. All-new equipment (broom, shoes, optional pads and helmet) cost her a hefty $150, but she's getting rink action three times a week. "The cold would suck if you stay at home all winter," she said.

"Just look at the smiles on everyone's faces-- you can see 'em, even through their mouth guards."

Even if you're not interested in joining in, it's a nice spectator sport if you bring a mug of something hot. And to answer everyone's question: No, they don't use real brooms. Instead, they use fancy official broomball sticks with rubber heads.

Ice Skating

Want to hold someone's hand? Ask them to go ice-skating. It's nearly impossible to resist the adorableness of this romantic winter activity. Fall down a few times and make that sweet crush of yours pick you up. If the skating doesn't get you a smooch, at least you burned a few calories. Many Minneapolis parks are adorned with a skating rink, warming house and skate rentals. Go to www.minneapolisparks.org or www.stpaul.gov/depts/parks for the rink closest to home.

  • Wells Fargo WinterSkate, Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul: WinterSkate is a great excuse to hit St. Paul and show off your skills on an artificially chilled outdoor rink. Prepare to swoon at the white twinkling lights and the charming architecture of the cozy area.
  • Peavey Plaza, S. 11th St. & Nicollet Av. S., Mpls.: Have some dinner, take a stroll downtown and throw on your skates for a winter date in the city that will no doubt earn brownie points. The Minnesota version of New York City's Rockefeller Center is only a few steps below street level, next to Orchestra Hall. The plaza's fountain freezes over for some aesthetically pleasing scenery.

Winter Hiking / Snowshoeing

If you're looking for something a little more low-key, stretch your legs on some winter hiking trails at any Minneapolis (www.minneapolisparks.org) or Three Rivers Park District (www.threeriversparkdistrict.org) park. Three Rivers nature centers sporadically host guided hikes. You can also rent a pair of snowshoes at a nature center during the day, or join a group adventure under the moon.