Kid Stuff Recreation Events

Winter After Hours Roars Back Like a Blizzard of Fun (New Location)

Emily Kinzel |

The Chippewa Valley’s annual hangout celebrating outdoor winter activities is back. Escape your winter bunker and bring the family to Winter After Hours, presented by Mayo Clinic Health System in partnership with Outdoor More, Volume One, and the Eau Claire Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department. Beginning Jan. 4, this snow-based social will be held from 6-8pm every Thursday during January and February (weather permitting, of course). But this year, everything's new. 

From its new base at Pinehurst Park on Eau Claire’s north side, Winter After Hours challenges residents to embrace the beautiful snow rather than grimace at it. Pinehurst is the perfect place to engage in winter fun such as sledding, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on groomed and lit trails, and much more. No snowshoes or skates? No problem. Thanks to Outdoor More and Riverside Bike and Skate, there will be inexpensive equipment rentals: Ice skates will be only $3 and a limited number of snowshoes will be available for $5. Still not willing to leave the comfort of your couch? Impromptu hockey games are encouraged, downhill fat tire biking is available, and you can feel free to make a snowman or snow angel. And if none of these things are your thing, then check out the giant fire pit, music, free hot cocoa, and the warming house. And (unlike Winter After Hour’s previous home in Boyd Park) visitors will find plenty of parking at Pinehurst Park. 

Winter After Hours is supported by Mayo Clinic Health System, Deborah Becker State Farm Insurance, Riverside Bike & Skate, Trust Point, and Markquart Motors. 

Visit volumeone.org/winter 
to find more information and updates
about Winter After Hours.