Recreation opportunities available throughout holiday season

With the absence of more than 12,000 residential students for winter break, much of Liberty University’s dining and recreational offerings will be closed for the holidays, but there are still opportunities to get a taste of excitement or enjoy family fun on campus.

Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, the only year-round snowless ski slope of its kind in North America, will continue to offer skiing, snowboarding, and tubing during holiday hours: Monday through Friday noon to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m.–10 p.m., with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For those who prefer to get extreme indoors, the Liberty Mountain Skate Park located in the Candlers Station shopping center, will have the same hours.

The LaHaye Ice Center will be open for ice skating Dec. 26 from noon-5 p.m.; Dec. 27, noon-3:30 p.m.; Dec. 28-29, noon-3 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m.; and Dec. 30, 1-3 p.m.

Sports fans are able to catch the Flames men’s basketball team in action at home Dec. 21 and 28. Liberty hosts the Milligan Buffaloes in the first matchup and Union College to close out 2012 play in the Vines Center. Both games tipoff at 7 p.m.

Campus will look as alive and energetic as ever Dec. 30-31 as students are invited to ring in the New Year at Winterfest. Participants can jam to live tunes from some of today’s hottest Christian artists, including TobyMac, Red, and Casting Crowns. The event also features dynamic Christian speakers to challenge students in their faith. Winterfest exposes guests to all that campus has to offer, including its exciting recreational activities like indoor soccer, rock climbing, ice skating, and extreme winter sports at the Snowflex Centre.