New winter sports to experience on snowy terrain

Until this winter, I'd never heard of bumper cars on a skating rink. And it wasn't until recently that I had my first chance to carve turns down a ski hill on a snowbike.

Chasing the chilling waves — whenever they can

"It is human versus nature."

Study: Tourism contributes $1.6 billion to Lake County economy

Great Lakes surfer Jim Hoop rides a wave in Whiting, Saturday, May 14, 2011.

Snow is coming, but warm is the word

Veronica Vanzo, of Whiting, walks her dog, Africa, along Whihala Beach in Whiting on Tuesday.

Snow is coming, but warm is the word

Dale Ryant, of Brookfield, Ill., rows his standup paddle board Tuesday on Lake Michigan at Whihala Beach in Whiting. Temperatures on Wednesday and Tuesday were near 50 degrees.

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WHITING | Veronica Vanzo's dog Africa enjoys the weather at Whihala Beach in Whiting on Tuesday, January 10, 2011.

Surf's up on Third Coast

PORTAGE | You might think the waves in Lake Michigan aren't cranking, so there's no reason to get amped because you won't be able to get any sick air. You might think the waves are mushburger, good only for junkyard dogs or frubes. But you'd be wrong. So get stoked -- because the waves in th…

POTW Oct 16-Oct 22 - surfing

A surfer falls off his board Thursday during high winds and waves at Jeorse Park in East Chicago.

Surfing Lake Michigan

Area surfers take to Lake Michigan to surf the waves

Surf's up on Third Coast

Jay Jones, of Portage, takes a break after surfing on Lake Michigan at Portage Lakefront Park.

Surfing Lake Michigan

PORTAGE | Jim Lynch of Chesterton tries to catch a wave while surfing on Lake Michigan at Portage Lakefront Park Friday, October 21, 2011.

Surfing Lake Michigan

PORTAGE | Jim Lynch of Chesterton tries to catch a wave while surfing on Lake Michigan at Portage Lakefront Park Friday, October 21, 2011.

Surfing Lake Michigan