Edition: The Arts Take Center Stage
Quintessential St. Louis
Author: Beth Custer
A few easy ways to enjoy St. Louis's rare but beautiful snow, or to stay comfortable during the unpredictable Midwestern winter.
Chill Out
A fresh snowfall brings the area in front of the St. Louis Art Museum, known to locals as Art Hill (Forest Park), alive with sleds, toboggans, and thrill-seekers looking for a good run. Coasting down this particular hill is an established St. Louis custom and hugely popular with students when area schools close due to snow. The Grand Basin from the 1904 World's Fair is at the base of the slope; straw bales are strategically placed to prevent an inadvertent slide into the lagoon. Celebrate winter St. Louis-style with a trip to the Steinberg Ice Skating Rink (Forest Park, 314-367-RINK). A tradition since 1957, Steinberg offers ice-skating every day from November through February, weather permitting. Glide under the stars on Friday and Saturday evenings while local bands entertain with live music. Although this may come as a surprise to visitors, St. Louis offers terrific downhill skiing experience. Just 30 miles southwest of of the city are the Ozark Mountain foothills and Hidden Valley Ski Resort (Wildwood, 636-938-5373). The "Wonder Carpet" makes getting up the hill easier for beginners, while two new black runs will challenge those looking for adventure. Snow making equipment keeps fresh powder on the slopes, and trails are lit for night skiing.
Warm Up
Looking for a respite from the weather? Here are a few places that will sustain you on those nippy winter days. For an oasis of warmth and moisture, visit the Climatron at the Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Blvd., 314-577-9400). A climate-controlled geodesic dome, it simulates a tropical rain forest and houses plants from around the world. Walk behind a waterfall, see 200-year-old cycads, and view a tailpot palm, bearer of the largest flowers in the plant kingdom. West of the city, a similar frost-free environment beckons at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House (Faust Park, 636-530-0076). Bask in its summer-like temperatures while over a thousand butterflies dip and dart among tropical plants. Warmth and nighttime enchantment can be found at the City Museum (701 N. 15th St., 314-231-CITY). Explore its caves by candlelight or visit the Cabin Inn the City, a two-story, 19th century log cabin within the museum that features a beer and wine bar, open until 1 a.m. most nights.
