It's worth braving the cold for these fun winter activities in central Pa.

York Daily Record

A lone skier rides a lift during the early morning at Roundtop Mountain Resort in northern York County on opening day Thursday. The resort began its skiing and snowboarding hours, with snow tubing beginning on Saturday.

As temperatures stay below freezing, now might not be the time to think about being outside. However, the cold weather and the impending snow will eventually create the perfect conditions for these outdoor winter activities.

1. Snow tubing

The cold weather means snow in central Pa. resorts. In York County, try tubing at Roundtop Mountain Resort in Lewisberry or AvalancheXpress in York. There's also Iron Valley Tubing if you're closer to Lebanon, or Liberty Mountain Resort if you're near Chambersburg.

2. Skiing and snowboarding

More:Roundtop Mountain Resort opens with first snow of the season on a sunny Sunday

If tubing isn't your speed, try skiing or snowboarding at either Roundtop Mountain Resort or Liberty Mountain Resort. For an extra challenge, try cross-country skiing at a local county park or state park.

Lee Lentz, 84, of Loganville, makes one of his 20 or so runs down the Minuteman slope at Ski Roundtop Mountain Resort. He usually tries for 20 runs every time he goes skiing, but sometimes loses track and makes more than that.

3. Dog sledding

Take a short day trip to the Poconos for a unique outdoor experience at Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours. You can go on a training run (or a snow run if there's enough on the ground). You can also bring your own dog if you own a Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Alaskan Husky or Samoyed.

4. Ice fishing

In York County, go ice fishing at Pinchot Lake or Lake Marburg. Memorial Lake in Lebanon County is also fair game. Just remember the ice must be at least 4 inches thick to support one angler and gear.

Jeff Lucas of Red Lion takes in some ice fishing at Lake Redman on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. Lucas brought his son Jeff Jr. with him for a morning of fishing and an afternoon of hunting. Jason Plotkin - Daily Record/Sunday News

5. Snowshoeing

More:Your favorite state park could soon get an upgrade

Snowshoeing is one winter activity that doesn't take too much planning. Wait for a great snow, find a trail and go for it. County parks and state parks are two great places to look for snowshoeing trails.

6. Snowmobiling

It's more difficult to find snowmobiling trails in the area. If you're not heading up north, check out Michaux State Forest, Codorus State Park and Mont Alto State Park.

"Winter Gravity Games snowmobiling star Jay Quinlan performs freestyle snowmobiling stunts on West 53rd Street outside the Ed Sullivan Theater during the 'Late Show with David Letterman' on Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 on the CBS Television Network. (Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS)"

7. Winter paintball

Before you worry too much about the sting, remember that you'll be wearing more layers. Give winter paintball a try at Roundtop Mountain Resort or Linglestown Paintball and Airsoft.

8. Winter walks

Who says outdoor exercise only happens in the summer? Gifford Pinchot State Park is sponsoring winter walks along the trails in the Conewago Day Use area. The next walk is 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 12.

9. Ice skating

After you're done tubing, check out the outdoor ice skating rink at AvalancheXpress. No judgments if you skip the outdoor adventure on this one and go ice skating at the indoor York Ice Arena instead.

York City Ice Arena offers hours for public skating, as well as for hockey practice and private lessons.
York City Ice Arena offers hours for public skating, as well as for hockey practice and private lessons. Several outdoor locations in York County are also available for ice skating.

10. FestivICE

Downtown York will become a winter destination during this annual winter festival on Saturday, Jan. 13. Bring the whole family to see sculptures, a giant ice slide and a Yeti throne.

More:FestivICE: Watch ‘Frozen,’ slide down an ice slide at York’s winter festival

Also of interest, the deep freeze allowed for a little pond hockey on a central Pa. lake: