10 ways to escape the winter doldrums with adrenaline-pumping indoor activities

Baby, it’s cold outside! When an icy breeze blows through your fleece and the sun sets before the end of the workday, the idea of ​​running is rather bleak. Don’t let dark, dreary evenings be an excuse to stretch out on the couch for a night of passive streaming. Get the gang together and get your adrenaline pumping with these invigorating indoor activities that increase the fun factor with your energy.

Be sure to pack your mask and visit each location’s website and social media for Covid safety protocols.

1. Steel City Indoor Karting, 360 Mall Circle Drive, Monroeville

Get your zoom on Steel City indoor kartingwhere European-built electric karts race around a Grand Prix-style track. Speed ​​these runners up to an exhilarating speed of 50 mph. The rounds last 8 minutes with no speed limit and cover up to 15 laps, depending on the speed and dexterity of the pilot. Junior events give children aged 10 to 12 a chance to race the same course, but the speed of the kart is electronically limited to a top speed of 20 mph for a safe experience.

Drivers must purchase an annual license for $ 7, which includes a safety briefing, use of socks and helmets, a free race during your birthday month, and a printout of the end-of-race results. Races are priced at $ 19.99 for one or you can purchase a package of up to 10 races at reduced prices. Gather your best friends for a cool party package that includes two to four races, competing only against the drivers in your party, plus 90 minutes to hang out in a private room.

2. Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Monroeville and Canonsburg

Reveal your inner warrior at one of Sky Zone’s two regional locations where you will face exciting challenges. Ultimate Dodgeball reinvents the classic favorite playground as players bounce off walls and leap high in the air. Basketball over your game? Dunk like the pros with SkySlam, where trampolines give you the advantage of jumping high above the ledge for a thrilling slam dunk.

The Ninja Warrior Course tests skills of speed, strength, and skill while swinging rings and crossing narrow planks. Test your basic strength against the SkyLadder, a fragile rope ladder that’s much harder to climb than it looks. Make it to the top and plant your flag – or drop into the padding below. There is also a Parkour Blox obstacle course.

Not all activities are offered at both locations. Check the Monroeville and Cannonsburg websites before you go.

Photo courtesy of Three Rivers Karting.

3. Three Rivers Karting and Ax Throwing, 541 B Avenue, Building 10, Leetsdale

Why watch NASCAR when you can buckle up in the driver’s seat? Three Rivers Karting offers the latest karting technology for instant power and torque. Drivers can choose between manual and automatic gearshifting.

You won’t get bored with the same old trail after multiple visits. Three Rivers Karting’s flexible technology design allows for quick changes to the layout to keep the driving experience fresh and engaging. Your adrenaline will soar at speeds of up to 50 mph.

Single races cost $ 20, with discounts for multiple race packages. Watch for specials like Buy a Ride, Get One at 50% off, $ 13 on Friday Night races for women, as well as discounts on Sunday packages for Family Day. Or book races with your pit crew and go for unlimited races.

Three Rivers Offers ax throwingalso, with bounce walls and a range of digital targets to provide a variety of games. You will be coached in the Tamburini method to quickly learn how to plant this ax. Ax throwing sessions are BYOB.

Photo courtesy of LumberjAxes Ax Throwing Pittsburgh.

4. LumberjAxes Ax Throwing Pittsburgh, multiple locations

Don’t worry if your only experience with an ax is playing the Tin Man in your high school production of “The Wizard of Oz”. The team of LumberjAxeswho is proudly “punch since 2017” will guide you through the correct grip, position, rise and release.

Find a hidden talent by throwing that ax? Consider joining a league and you could qualify for the national championship. Ax throwing is an individual sport, so there are no teams to organize.

Four LumberjAxes locations – Cranberry, Monroeville, and Mt. Lebanon – are BYOB (or wine), but the Millvale location has a full-service bar. Book a solo open lane slot or book a lane for a private group.

Photo courtesy of Altitude Trampoline Park.

5. Altitude Trampoline Park, 1041 Washington Pike, Suite 200, Bridgeville

Channel your inner spy with a ‘Mission Impossible’ style maze where you crawl through, under and around beams of light. Compete against friends in AltitudeNinja Course and attempt daring feats of balance and dexterity. The dodge ball on trampolines gives players a greater chance (get it?) To jump out of the way of a crashing ball. And the main court wall-to-wall trampolines let you practice your crazy stunts without worrying about falling.

Photo courtesy of Dragon’s Den.

6. Dragon’s Den, 1008 Amity St., Homestead

Soar like a dragon along the zipline and acrobatic course at dragon’s lair in the former Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Homestead. Created as a community center, the classes are intended to help children develop their confidence, focus and leadership skills. But adults can also book sessions, individually or in groups, to test their fear of altitude and flight. The 160-foot zipline sends the braves from the altar to the attic of the choir. A 20-foot climbing wall and a ropes course that includes 25 bridges, balance beams and crossings are also part of the adventure.