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	story Debbie Bruce   photographs Stephen Uhraney Forget jetting off to Vail or trekking to Banff this winter. Mississauga has some pretty cool activities that are sure to please anyone on a frosty day, all in our own backyard. # 1 - Indoor Winter Golf at BraeBen BraeBen Golf Course is now in its third year of thrilling avid golfers who usually see their game go cold during the long winter months. From the comfort of a fully licensed lounge, BraeBen helps keep your swing in optimum shape with the use of high definition golf simulators. “It’s a great way to practise up during the winter months,” says Head Instructor Bradlee Ryall. “Enjoy a glass of wine or beer with your friends, catch the game on TV and there’s always a pro on site to give help or free tips.” A membership running from January to mid-April costs $299 and includes three hours a week of Indoor Golf. Public play is also welcome, but members do get priority. “Non members play for $20 an hour, so it’s quite inexpensive when you come with a foursome,” says Ryall. For more information or to book your tee off time, visit www.mississauga.ca/golf. # 2 – Taking in a Hometown Hockey Game Winter = Hockey. Period. A cheaper and just as satisfying alternative to an NHL game is enjoying the same great hockey in a superb venue with a Mississauga St. Mike’s Majors game. “St. Mike’s games are good, affordable family entertainment,” says sports reporter for the Mississauga News, Iain Colpitts. “The Hershey Centre is one of the top arenas in the OHL and it plays host to several players who could go on to strong pro hockey careers.” To review the schedule or buy tickets online, visit www.stmichaelsmajors.com. # 3 - Birds of a Feather – Riverwood Conservatory If communing with nature is more your thing, The Riverwood Conservancy hosts a popular event each winter that brings the outdoors to you. The Birds of a Feather program has participants hiking through snowy trails led by a teacher, while hand feeding wild chickadees, cardinals, and blue jays as you sip on hot chocolate. Brian Packham, Office Manager for the Riverwood Conservancy, suggests registering quickly for this popular event. “Both the kids and the adults enjoy this as it takes people back to their childhood,” says Packham. “It’s just a fun thing to experience while you’re getting outside and in the fresh air.” Birds of a Feather is free, but donations towards future programs are accepted. For more information call 905-279-5878 or e-mail Brian at info@theriverwoodconservancy.org. # 4 - Outdoor Skating If you haven’t laced up your ice skates at least once this year you just haven’t done winter right. Indoor skating rinks will do in a pinch, but there’s nothing better than skating during a soft snowfall. The outdoor rink at Woodhurst Heights (Glen Erin and Collegeway) has a great neighbourhood feel and covered rink at the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre ensures good quality  conditions, but the square rink at City Hall’s Celebration Square has it all this winter when  it comes to space, quality and ambience. # 5 - Geocaching Geocaching is a family-friendly, inexpensive (free, if you own a GPS) and educational outdoor game that reveals a secret world within your own community. After going on the website www.geocaching.com and plugging in your postal code, you're given the locations of hidden caches closest to you, along with clues to guide you to the treasure. Following the coordinates on a GPS the search is on for the hidden item, usually an inexpensive trinket such as poker chips or playing cards, or simply a log sheet on which to record your victory. After a hunt is completed, results are logged onto the website under a username. Comments are made regarding the experience (level of ease, entertainment value, random thoughts), but no mention can be made as to exact location. Geocaching can be done year-round but inclement weather adds to the challenge, especially when a foot of snow stands between you and your treasure. # 6 - Living Arts Centre Shows There’s no better way to get a brief reprieve from the elements than to take in a great show at the Living Arts Centre. “Winter is a great time to be entertained by our wonderful winter season of performances,” says Living Arts Centre CEO Ron Lenyk. “From Broadway to ballet, symphony, comedy and children’s programming there is something for everyone.” Slated shows for this winter include the State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s Swan Lake (February 9), the multimedia inspired Playing for Change (February 16) and the popular musical Cats (March 13 and 14). “Get out of the cold and enjoy the comfort of the Mississauga Living Arts Centre for an experience you will cherish,” said Lenyk. For showtimes and schedules, visit www.livingartscenter.ca. # 7 – Tobogganing at Vic Johnsons A winter in Mississauga is not complete without taking a slide down Vic Johnston’s hill. The lure of this particular park is thanks to the variety of slopes the perimeter of the large hills has to offer. The smaller part of the hill coming off the arena provides an easy gentle sloping appropriate for the little ones, whereas the side that opens to the mouth of the ball park is wide and steep enough to accommodate the hundreds of dare devils that brave the heights time and time again. Honourable mentions for other great sledding hills go to Brookemede Park (2254 Council Ring Rd), Birchwood Park (1547 Lakeshore Rd W) and Erindale Park (1695 Dundas St W). # 8 - Art Gallery of Mississauga Any time of the year is perfect for bringing art to the community and community to art, but there’s an extra magic to the Art Gallery of Mississauga when there’s a chill in the air. “I think winter is a very exciting time of the year in the city, and topping off skating in Celebration Square with a nice walk through the gallery is a great way to spend a day,” says Gail Farndon, Operations Manager for the Art Gallery of Mississauga. Beginning January 12 is the 34th annual Juried Show of Fine Art which showcases the best of regional artists, and the start of February brings with it the popular Out & About Concert series featuring the Elgin String Quartet. “That is a lovely time to drop by during your lunch break and enjoy a beautiful hour of music,” says Farndon. “The gallery offers a nice contemplation space that’s enjoyable, stimulating and best of all, free.” Check out www.mississauga.ca/agm for more information. # 9 - Snowshoeing/Cross Country Skiing trails Mississauga is home to dozens of trails that are perfect for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. See detailed story here.  Culham Trail (Erindale Park, Riverwood, Streetsville Memorial Park, River Grove); Levi Creek Trail (Old Creditview Rd. to Financial Dr.); Glassford Trail (Old Creditview Rd. along old Derry Rd. through Meadowvale Conservation Park); Fletcher’s Creek Trail (between Second Line and Courtney Park Dr.) For a complete listing of trails in Mississauga refer to the Mississauga Trails and Bikeways map or for your free copy, e-mail trails@mississauga.ca. GL