Don't get caught in the cold…without something fun to do this winter!

Dover and Sherborn have all sorts of outdoor winter activities you can enjoy with your family and friends.

Whether it's ice skating on Farm Pond in Sherborn, hiking the trails of the Noanet Woodlands in Dover, or sledding down one of the many hills in both towns, there's no shortage of activities to get you or your kids off the couch this winter.

The hill at the corner of Farm Road and South Street in Sherborn was packed with kids racing down the slope yesterday with parents and grandparents looking on, and sometimes helping to give a push down the hill.

"I brought my son's here and my daughter probably twenty years ago and now I'm bringing my grandson," said Stafford Peat, of Natick. "It's really one of the best hills probably in MetroWest. It's just a beautiful place as you can see."

His ten-year-old grandson Devon, dressed in full winter garb, was zooming down the hill on his sled and snowboard.

"It's unusual because this is private property and it's really great that the owners let the people from Sherborn and Dover use the hill," said Peat.

"And it's reasonably safe, except for the jump," he said.

Patch recently caught up with Connor Young assistant superintendent of the Trustees of Reservations, who oversee and maintain many of the area's public nature reserves, including the Noanet Woodlands and Hale Reservation in Dover and the Rocky Narrows and King Philip's Overlook in Sherborn.

All trails are open during the winter for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and dog walking.

"Our properties are open from sunrise to sunset," Young said. "It's really beautiful all day long."

Each trailhead has a kiosk with maps and information about the terrain.

Young recommends the proper preparation before heading out on any of the trails.

"Stay hydrated. Dress in layers. Stay warm. In the case of getting slightly lost being prepared instead of unprepared is advised," he said.

"Use caution on the Ridge Trail, on Noanet Peak. It can be rocky so I would just use caution. Use caution on whatever trail you're on," said Young.

Farm Pond and Mill Pond in Sherborn are two great places for ice skating. Be sure the pond is safe before setting foot on the ice. However, Channing Pond in Dover is closed indefinitely until further notice from the town's Parks and Recreation department.

If you're looking to venture outside of town, Dover offers youth skiing trips to Nashoba Valley in January through the Parks and Recreation department. You can find more information by clicking here.

So bundle up and be sure to enjoy all the outdoor winter recreation Dover and Sherborn have to offer this winter!