Oh, Those Winter Nights

Winter's long nights, combined with cold temperatures, can make our nights feel never-ending. But I say, grab a flashlight, and step out into the magic of winter nights, where the stars are clear and crisp, the snow sparkles in moonlight, and great horned owls hoot as they tend their little owlets.One of the best things about winter nights is that they start early. You don't need to stay up late to watch the night sky, gaze at a full moon, or wander in the magic of an early evening snowfall. Bundle the family up after dinner, gather up your flashlights/headlamps, dress for winter success, and take a mid-winter evening wander.Here are five ways to experience the magic of winter nights:Star Gaze: Oh, winter stars, they are stellar! With cold, clear nights come some of the best stargazing of the year. Pull out your sleeping bags and blankets, dress extra warm, and head outside for a family star gaze. Scan the skies for Orion, the brave hunter, with his starry belt and glittering sword. Look for his bold hunting dog, Canis Major, and notice Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Of course, don't forget to seek out the beautiful cluster of stars known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. Book a trip to New Hampshire's McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center's planetarium's Tonight's Sky show to prepare for your winter star-gazing adventure.Full Moon Wanders: Nothing lights up winter nights more than their spectacular full moons. With snow and ice blanketing the landscape, the moonlight casts shadows, makes snow sparkle, and lights up the night with its glow. Use binoculars or a telescope to view the cratered landscape of our closest celestial neighbor. Download a map of the moon's surface from the NASA website and see if you can spot the lunar seas, the large crater Copernicus, or perhaps see if you can find the man on the moon! Share Joseph Bruchac's picture book, Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons, to discover the stories of each full moon of the year from different Indigenous cultures.Night Hike: For the more adventurous at heart, go on an evening night hike. Make sure to choose a trail that you are familiar with and that is well-marked. Make safe choices for this activity by dressing for the conditions, carrying flashlights/headlamps, and paying close attention to the most up-to-date weather forecast to consider temperatures, precipitation, and wind. If there are any advisories such as snow, wind, or temperature warnings, reschedule your hike. Winter will wait! During your hike, listen for the unique sounds of winter, such as the singing of ice along ponds and lakes, the cracks, pops, and snaps of tree sap freezing, and the wild, whistling wind. Invite other families to join yours and celebrate at the end of the hike with a thermos full of hot chocolate.Skate the Night Away: Outdoor skating is always fun, but it is extra exciting at night! Many parks, towns, and cities in New Hampshire and Vermont maintain ice skating rinks. Skating at a publicly maintained rink is a great way to skate safely in the winter. These rinks are only open if the ice is safe. Find an outdoor rink near you that offers night skating and glide the evening away under the winter stars. With music and warming huts, find your winter joy as you skate with your family. If you are new to skating or have family members who are beginners, consider visiting the rink during daylight hours to get some practice time in before a night skate. To find an outdoor skating rink near you, visit www.nhvisit.gov or www.visit-vermont.com.Gather Around a Fire: Gather with friends and family around a toasty winter night fire. Share stories, sing songs, watch the flames dance, and let the bright fire's light and cozy heat lift your winter doldrums away. Don't forget s'mores and hot drinks of your choice to make this night a family favorite. Time around a fire together is a wonderful reminder of our long-ago past, when firelight was what we watched, and the entertainment came from people sharing songs and telling stories.