5 things to do outside this winter that aren't sledding

Sledding is fun and all, but living in the flattest swath of the country means a lot of dragging kids around, and, well, our legs get tired fast. So try these non-sledding ideas for a romp in the snow.

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Cross Country Skiing

City dwellers don't have far to go to leave the urban hustle and bustle behind while gliding along on cross-country skis in the forest. Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont rents out cross-country skis for visitors to use on their trails through some of the most pristine natural areas in the Chicago area. Skis and instruction are available at the new Learning Center, which also includes a Great Lodge room, complete with fireplace and comfy chairs for post-ski warm up. Equipment can be checked out 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. for use on Sagawau trails only.

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