When winter transforms Happy Valley into a snowy paradise, it’s the perfect time to explore the region’s breathtaking outdoor spaces. Whether you’re trekking through frost-covered forests or relaxing with a cozy meal after your adventure, Happy Valley offers a quintessential winter escape.

One thing that I love about Pennsylvania is its wealth of public hunting grounds. Happy Valley and the surrounding area have more than their fair share of the public land pie. Public land open to hunting includes state game lands that are managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and state forest lands, which are operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). DCNR also handles state parks, many of which are also open to hunting.

Established in 1999, Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery has welcomed wine aficionados from around the country to taste its award-winning wines in its beautiful State College-located tasting room since 2013. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vineyard’s owners have focused on serving the brand’s multitude of fans in other ways, going above and beyond to protect their loyal supporters in a time when restrictions can seem confusing and muddled — resulting in lax policies in other tasting rooms.