For the most part we’ve been blessed with a very mild winter so far.  We finally saw the first major snow on the ground last week, and that already seems like it’s on the way out of the door.  However, even with the mild winter,  the golf courses have been pretty empty aside from the occasional devout golfer.  Luckily, the 27th Annual Skywalk Mini Golf event is coming up to alleviate our golf addiction.

On February 11th get ready to break out your putters and explore the 3.2 mile skywalk system that serves as a necessary transit route for many who work downtown during the winter months.  Each year the skywalk transit system gets transformed into multiple 18 hole miniature golf courses setup for singles, double, or foursomes.  Tickets are $25 a piece, and each adult ticket gets one child under the age of 12 in for free!  This family friendly event is held all day Saturday with tee times ranging from 8am-3pm so you don’t have to miss out if you’re busy in the morning and free in the afternoon or vice versa.

So grab your putters and the rest of the family and check out the event.  More information and registration information can be found on the Skywalk Golf Webpage here.  It gives you a great excuse to checkout Des Moines’ vast skywalk system and have some fun doing it!

Here in Des Moines broomball has become a yearly tradition for many once the weather turns cold and the urge to get out into the cold and get active.  However, for many the term “broomball” might have little or no meaning so let me do a little explaining.  Although very similar to hockey there are enough small differences that make this sport more accessible to to those who may not be up for such a physical sport as hockey.  For starters you don’t even need to know how to skate!  Instead you can either play in your sneakers (Definitely would not recommend this if you value your safety), or use specially made rubber soled shoes to run around on the ic.  Instead of a hockey stick and puck, you play with a stick shaped like a broom with a rubber soled bottom, and a very tiny ball resembling a small soccer ball that does not bounce on the ice at all.  Aside from that most other rules mimic hockey.

That being said, I can speak from experience, broomball is a ton of fun.  Luckily enough Des Moines is large enough to accomodate not only a yearly league, but special tournaments as well.  One of said tournaments is actually coming up soon, as an event that is part of the 5th annual Winter Games.  Registration is due by January 26th so if your interested in getting a team together you’re running out of time!

If you haven’t heard of the Winter Games in Des Moines, then you’re missing out on a lot more besides broomball.  Featuring events such as the polar plunge, cardboard sled racing, downhill kayaking, downhill ski bike racing and much, much more.  If your interested in learning more about some of these events you can read more about it on the Des Moines Parks and Recreations website.

So go on and get out there.  With such a warm winter so far it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy wintertime without freezing!