Get out!

The festivities have wound down, the calories have piled up and the rest of winter is still looming dark and cold. There's one simple cure for the post-holiday blues -- pry yourself off the couch and get out.

It's not always easy to fight the January doldrums, especially when the wind is howling or the red on the thermometer has nearly disappeared. But most longtime Alaskans will tell you that the key to survival is getting outdoors even when the weather is bad.

Whether it is a short afternoon hike with the dog, a lap around the block on cross-country skis or a few runs down the neighborhood sledding hill, even just a brief jaunt outside can be rejuvenating.

Here are a few excuses to get outdoors --

Rediscover your childhood. If there's a safely frozen pond or lake nearby, shovel off the snow to make your own rink and strap on the skates. By the time the ice is clear and you've skated a few laps, you'll have worked off that piece of pecan pie.

Or drag out the plastic sled and hit the slopes, even if it is just the tiny hill in your backyard. You may feel silly at first but before long you'll be piling up the snow to make jumps and racing your kids to the top for the next slide down.

When you're worn out, fling yourself back in the snow, make some snow angels and then head inside for a well-deserved cup of hot cocoa.

Go for a quick run, ride or glide. This winter may not have provided much for snowboarders or downhill skiers, but the scant snow has made it easier for other outdoor activities. Many diehard bicyclists can still be seen pedaling around town. Runners are just pulling on another layer of fleece before they make tracks on local sidewalks. And for those who have the equipment and skills, packed snow on local trails is making for great cross-country skiing and skijoring.

Too cold? Too dark? Just pile on the layers and pick up an inexpensive headlamp. That way you'll never have an excuse for staying on the couch, and once you get out there you'll probably decide winter isn't such a bad thing.

Hit the trails, and then leave them. Once again, this unusual winter is making it easier to get out. Many local trails are still quite hikeable and even as the snow accumulates frequent use keeps many of the trails well-packed.

For a little more adventure, strap on the snowshoes and make your own trail. For less than $100 you can get a good pair of high-tech snowshoes, including stainless steel crampons that bite into snow or ice and are especially helpful for ascending or descending hills.

Not only do snowshoes allow you to see some new country, they are also a great way to get fit, according to several university studies. Ball State University conducted a study that showed that snowshoeing on packed snow and flat terrain at 3 mph burns 510 calories per hour. Snowshoeing uphill in powder at the same speed burned as many as 1,045 calories per hour.

Pull out the shot gun, .22 or fishing rod. Hunting and fishing season don't have to end with autumn, and it helps some people to have a goal, or at least something to catch or shoot, when looking for an excuse to get outdoors.

Local hare populations are not exactly booming, but you can still find a few. Ruffed and spruce grouse are a good bet and, if you're willing to drive or hike a little farther, there are always ptarmigan.

For anglers, the lakes may be frozen but the fish are still swimming. For a small investment in a manual auger, a shorter fishing rod and some bait, you can relive those warm summer days on the stream. Anglers can find rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, grayling and arctic char in many local lakes.

Watch a bird, look for tracks. If you're not a hunter or angler but still need an incentive to get outdoors, become a wildlife watcher. Even during the winter months, Alaska offers a variety of furry and feathered creatures to see.

Many people find birding to be a rewarding sport. The chicadees, dark-eyed juncos and redpolls are already out there -- all you need is a pair of binoculars and a good bird identification book. The local biding club recommends "A New Focus on the Field -- Birds of North America," by Kenn Kaufman The retail price is $20, and it is available in most bookstores and online.

Or pick up a track identification book and see what kinds of animals have been wandering through the woods. Winter snow provides a unique opportunity to watch the coming and goings of all kinds of animals, from moose to mice.