A winter storm has New Yorkers bracing for what could be the snowiest weekend in years.
If a foot of snow falls in Central Park, it would be the biggest single-storm accumulation since 2021, according to meteorologists.
While officials are warning of potential power outages, frozen pipes and disruptions to schools and transportation, some residents are looking forward to the wintry weather.
Just ask Kati and Heikki Aho, a Finnish couple living in Brooklyn. They already have plans to take their 3- and 6-year-old sons sledding.
“When we were younger, the winters were long and there was always snow,” Kati said. “So it wasn’t a question like we have here of whether the snow is coming or not, it was always there. We were just outside, no matter what the weather was.”
The couple, who have each lived in New York for more than a decade, see the occasional snow day as a rare chance to have fun.
“The key is to wear the right clothes. After that? You can do whatever you want,” Heikki said.
Here are a few ways to enjoy the snow and cold this weekend:
Sledding and skiing in city parks
With several inches of snow projected, New Yorkers can grab sleds or cross-country skis and turn their neighborhood parks into winter playgrounds.
Central Park and Prospect Park are often top choices for an afternoon of sledding or skiing. You can find a list of popular sledding spots in the city here.
Hit the ice at an outdoor skating rink
The storm could be just the excuse to dust off your skates. Outdoor rinks like the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park and the Rink at Rockefeller Center offer rentals and scenic spots for a spin.
The Bryant Park rink brought in $8.5 million during the 2022-23 season, Gothamist previously reported.
Warm up at a sauna or bathhouse
Saunas and bathhouses have been gaining popularity in the city, with new locations and memberships at spots like Bathhouse and The Well.
Whether you’re a newcomer or a regular, this weekend could be your chance to break a sweat. You might want to skip the cold plunge, though.
Sip hot chocolate at a cozy café
Not in the mood for winter sports? Hunt down the city’s best hot chocolate.
Glace on the Upper East Side serves a roughly $10 hot cocoa that went viral on social media. Or check out Angelina, the Parisian tearoom near Bryant Park that opened its first New York location in 2020.
