While there hasn't really been that much snowfall this year, winter is definitely here. I'm sure you've all noticed this while shivering through the wind tunnel on campus on the way to class. Since the season is finally here, it's also finally time for bundling up and jumping into the snow and winter activities it brings with it. Whether you're one to go out and throw yourself down an icy mountain on some skis or a snowboard, or the one to relax and watch from the lodge cradling a cup of hot chocolate, here are some of the best places to do so.

1. Thunder Ridge Ski Resort.

Location: Patterson, N.Y.
Distance from Marist: 45 Minutes
Lift ticket: $50/day

Known for good (real and artificial) snow and reasonable prices.

2. Mohawk Mountain Ski Area.

Location: West Cornwall, Conn.
Distance from Marist: 1 hour, 6 minutes.
Lift ticket: bought in groups, $300 for six people.

New lifts, challenging and well-marked trails, and not overcrowded.

3. Mountain Creek Mountain House.

Location: Vernon, N.J.
Distance from Marist: 1 hour, 25 minutes.
Lift ticket: $66.99 for a day

Known for being first-timer friendly, offering night skiing, and an incredible snow-making system.

4. Hunter Mountain.

Location: Hunter, N.Y.
Distance from Marist: 1 hour, 18 minutes.
Lift ticket: $66 on weekdays, $76 on weekends, $25 if bought through Marist!

Award-winning facilities, full resort experience and restaurants, abundance of snow, and Marist offers discounted trips on the weekends!

5. Windham Mountain.

Location: Windham, N.Y.
Distance from Marist: 1 hour, 26 minutes.
Lift ticket: $64.80 for college students.

Features 53 trails and 12 lifts with artificial snow making.

6. Camelback Ski Area.

Location: Tannersville, Pa.
Distance from Marist: 2 hours, 18 minutes.
Lift ticket: $39 to $67.

Biggest snow tubing park in the country and features night skiing. Friendly for beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Located in the Pocono mountains.

7. Plattekill Mountain.

Location: Roxbury, N.Y.
Distance from Marist: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Lift ticket: $55 for a full day for college students.

Many runs for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders and features a longest run of two miles.

Whether you've been hitting the slopes since you could stand, or just want to try it, there are places located less than two and a half hours from Marist that can cater to everyone's needs. Many feature restaurants and snow tubing, which could be a good alternative to someone who prefers a more tame kind of fun. It's a great way to get a group of friends together and have some fun outside of the dorms this winter. In addition, many resorts and mountains have reduced prices for college students and Marist offers its own trips at a great price. Yay!