Outdoor adventure in The Alleghenies doesn't stop when the snow flies. In fact, for many, that's when the trails, woods and rolling mountain peaks and ridges really get interesting.

ne of the best things about being a kid is watching a late night snowfall blanket the roadways and trees and waking to that voice on the radio telling you that school is closed for the day. You dress up warmly and run out into snow as high as your head, only dragging yourself home when you can't laugh anymore and the feeling in your toes is a distant memory. You don't get that too often as an adult and the chance to get out and play in the snow comes far too seldom. But if you can let the kid in you go wild, The Alleghenies has plenty of snowbound places to keep you happy. So explore the lands where canal boats once crossed the summits of rugged peaks, speed down slopes on Pennsylvania's second highest mountain, and cap it off with a visit to a place where the most stressful thing you'll do is make a menu selection. It's winter. Work's closed. Come out and play.

Long before locomotives steamed their way over the Allegheny Mountains on the journey from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, the way west was by canal-boat and the way up and over was via the 36-mile Allegheny Portage Railroad. Begun in 1831 and finished 3 years later, the engineering marvel consisted of ten inclined planes, an intricate system of ropes, pulleys and engines, and the muscle of men and horses to move passengers and freight along the route. In 1854, just 20 years after the first boat rose to the summit, the line was obsolete and the era of the locomotive was here to stay. But today the miles of paths are yours to explore and winter is a great time to do just that. Strap on the skis or tighten the snowshoes and make your own tracks across the summit of the Allegheny Ridge. After you've shushed your last mile, head for the comfort of the Majestic World Lodge, where a warm fire and warmer hospitality await. Outside, the grounds are home to trophy elk, buffalo, fallow, red deer and whitetail deer. It's a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get up close with these giants of the animal kingdom.

Fill up at the Majestic's all-you-can-eat continental breakfast and get an early start for the slopes of nearby Blue Knob — where 36 runs wind their way down Pennsylvania's highest skiable mountain. Whether you're a fan of easy gliding greens like Upper Mambo Alley or Fox Trot, or feel like carving your way down serious slopes like Bone Yard Glades and Stembogan Bowl, the choices seem as endless as the views across the landscape blanketed in white. After the last run of the day, unbuckle your boots, pack up the skis and take the short drive to a place where the ache in your muscles will soon fade away. No ibuprofen required.

There's no doubt about it, sometimes the best part of winter is sitting inside by a warm fire and watching the snow pile up while you do absolutely nothing. Well, today is that kind of day. After time spent trekking trails and carving slopes, it's time to give your body a rest and there are few places better to do that than the historic Bedford Springs Resort. Treat yourself to a dip in one of the nation's first indoor pools, ease into the timeless comfort of a soft leather wingback chair and enjoy a steaming crock of soup at the Frontier Tavern, and top it off with a repeat-worthy visit to the Bedford Baths and a massage at the 30,000 square foot Springs Eternal Spa. This classic American resort has been welcoming guests for more than two centuries and all that practice has helped make it what it is today — perfect.