Yes, Minnesota winters are cold. But no, you won't have to learn to hibernate. You'll find that with the right (and enough) layers of clothing, you can be as active outdoors in winter as in the balmier months. And be sure to try out these traditional Carleton winter activities.

• Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Carleton's 880-acre arboretum.
• Broomball, arguably Carleton's favorite winter sport. Sure, it sounds silly: Hockey played with no skates and no puck?? But you'll have fun and work up a sweat, even on the coldest days.
• Ice skating on the Bald Spot, if you can get those broomball players to give up some rink space.
• Traying, a version of sledding that, while not officially approved (since it requires sneaking trays out of the dining hall), seems to keep on happening at Carleton anyway. Or you could take pity on our food-service staff and just get yourself a sled.
• Midwinter Ball with its myriad of indoor and outdoor activities, including ice sculpting and dancing the night away.