If you’re a winter sports fan, there’s lots going on in the Hudson Valley this winter. Lots of low-impact simple tourism stuff, too. Here’s news from Mary Prenon and Hudson Valley Tourism:

“Let it snow! This winter, the Hudson Valley sparkles in white with fun things to do and terrific places to visit. Indoors and out, January still feels like a holiday when you’re in the Valley.

“One of the most spectacular winter events is the Knickerbocker Ice Festival in Congers on January 24th and 25th. This event kicks off New York State’s Quadricentennial, a yearlong celebration of the Hudson Valley’s namesake river and the man who discovered it. Centered around Rockland Lake, the festivities include ice sculptures by award-winning artists, an Ice Gallery, spectacular fireworks, hot air balloon rides, Art in the Park, live music, fabulous food, and much more. It’s just the start of countless events being held throughout the Hudson Valley the entire year in celebration of Henry Hudson.

“Enjoy the great outdoors even more as you snowshoe through the gorgeous scenery at Windham Mountain. The January 10th event offers “first timers” the opportunity to try snowshoeing at the mountain with a variety of different snowshoes for testing. It’s a great aerobic sport no matter what the age.

“If you’d rather be skiing than shoeing, Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson is open all season for skiing and snowboarding, and it’s just 75 miles north of Manhattan. With 30 trails and five lifts, there’s even a free shuttle from the Metro-North train station to get you there hassle-free. The season is also off to a grand start at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount. Snow covers the 47 trails, glades and parks for both skiing and snowboarding. Cross-country skiing is also popular here, plus you can enjoy the many lodges along with way for a delicious mug of hot chocolate.

For something a little different, how about night skiing at Pineridge Cross Country Ski in Petersburg? Enjoy four kilometers of cross-country groomed trails lit up for the evening. Love the outdoors, but don’t want to brave the cold? Bring your kayak to the Culinary Institute’s pool in Hyde Parkg your for their Kayak Skills Tune-Up Clinic. On alternate Sundays in January and February, a certified instructor will help you brush up on your technique and teach you some new skills.

Warm indoor events featuring Hudson Valley culture keep you entertained throughout these frosty months. The Schuyler Mansion starts the year off with Salutations of the Season! It’s an evening of merriment to celebrate an 18th century Twelfth Night fete with special tours, live music, dancing, and wassail toasts just as the Schuylers would have hosted it. Modern technology brings Puccini’s La Rondine to Hudson, shown theater-style from a performance the night before at the Metropolitan Opera. It’s a ravishing tale of love from the world’s most popular opera composer.

View works by some of the most influential feminist artists of the last four decades now on display at the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase. Great Women Artists surveys work by women who drew insights from critical feminism thinking to advance their art.

Finally, a rousing farewell to January happens at Eisenhower Hall when the West Point Concert Band offers a Sousa Concert on the 25th. This free concert will pay tribute to march king, John Philip Sousa, with his stirring parade music. Don’t miss it!

Outdoors or in, eliminate the winter doldrums and experience all that the Hudson Valley has to offer. In any season, the fun starts here! For more information, contact:

Knickerbocker Ice Festival, Congers. 845-708-7300, www.KnickerbockerIceFestival.com

Snowshoeing at Windham Mountain, Windham. 518-734-4300, www.WindhamMountain.com

Thunder Ridge Ski Area, Patterson. 845-878-4100, www.ThunderRidgeSkiArea.com

Belleayre Mountain, Highmount. 845-254-5600, www.Belleayre.com

Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area, Petersburg. 518-283-3652, www.PineRidgeXc.com

Kayak Skills Tune-Up Clinic, Hyde Park. 845-229-0595. www.The-River-Connection.com

Salutations of the Season!, Albany. 518-434-0834, www.NYSParks.state.ny.us

Puccini’s La Rondine, Hudson. 518-822-8448, www.TimeandSpace.org

Great Women Artists, Purchase. 914-251-6100, www.Neuberger.org

Sousa Concert, West Point. 845-938-2617. www.WestPoint.edu/band

Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. is the 10-county region designated by I LOVE NEW YORK to promote tourism for the area. Counties include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester. Regional information can be obtained from any of the county tourism offices, the Hudson Valley Tourism website, www.travelhudsonvalley.com, or by calling 845-615-3860.”