Winter break is almost here – that time we look for comfort, good food and roaring fires. Instead of lazing around at home curled up like a dead worm, here are some cool hangouts to get out there and keep warm.

Cape Town: Grand West

Grand West is more than big concerts, gambling and feeling broke. Instead of hitchhiking or paying for parking tickets, you can just get there easily with a train.

If there’s one thing you really have to get out of the house for this winter – this is it. Hang out, watch a movie, go ice-skating, bowling or try indoor go-carting, or just dine in one of the many restaurants.Everything is all under one roof.

Ice-skating

Do you want to impress your new girlfriend or avoid baby-sitting your little sisters or brothers? An Olympic-size skating rink, mini-rink for tots, ice hockey and figure skating makes the Ice Station a seriously cool entertainment destination. The Ice Station is home to action-packed adventure and affordable family fun all year round. With bright lights and contemporary music adding to the vibe, The Ice Station offers energetic entertainment for kids, teenagers and adults alike. With plenty of stadium seating available, it’s a fun spectator-sport too. The Ice Station is also host to ice hockey championships, figure skating competitions, (just a place to get a crush on a cool guy or pick up your next girlfriend), special events during school holidays, and ice skating clubs. So you don’t know how to skate? Don’t worry, invite your chommies so you can have a lekker lag from all the slipping and falling in the learning process. This rink gives you the option of skating till you drop.

R35.00 per person (ice-skates included)

Ten-pin Bowling

After twirling on the ice, you and your new ice-skater crush can warm your toes by striking it lucky at the ten-pin bowling alley – fantastic fun for all. Part of the Magic complex, 12 state-of-the-art lanes are set in a colourful venue, providing outstanding entertainment and competitive play, all set to music for all ages.

Want to take it up a notch? Go enjoy the vibrant Cosmic Bowling, also known as  Disco or Glow in the Dark Bowling where they turn down the lights and use brightly coloured lighting effects. The fun here is a dance club atmosphere that rocks the centre with a pumping sound system.

Prices:

R35.00 per person per game (bowling shoes included)

For More Information on Grand West

www.suninternational.com

1 Vanguard Drive

Goodwood

7460

Cape Town

South Africa

Johannesburg: Stoneridge Mall

You don’t need to take a joy ride in a car at 220 kilometres to get the adrenaline rushing through your veins. Go-karting is way cooler and you won’t get into trouble. If you are dying to shoot at your friends paintball style but without the bumps and bruises, laser-tag is so for you, and Stoneridge has all this.

Go-Karting

Compu-Kart Raceway is the next level of go-karting. With an exciting track designed to test all levels of experience, combined with new and well-maintained karts, Compu-Kart guarantees your enjoyment.

The smile on your face and the adrenaline in your blood will have you talking about your experience long after you have left! Complete with carousel rides, bumper cars, go-kart racing, a mini fun fair, arcade games and more, we don’t call it magic for nothing!

Prices:

R30 for 20min, R40 for 30min and R70 for an hour.

Laser Quest

Love to shoot but, you don’t want to kill? Imagine having to shoot at your friends, with a computer keeping track of who shoots whom, adding and subtracting points accordingly. Laser Quest is a game where players shoot at other players. Teams are identified by different colour lights on their packs. Each team mission lasts 25-30 minutes and includes suiting up in your pack, a briefing, the mission, and the score announcements at the end.

The game is played inside an arena, with lots of hiding places, ramps and catwalks.

Completely safe and harmless!

Prices:

R30 for 20min, R40 for 30min and R70 for an hour

Stoneridge Shopping Centre,

Compu-Kart Raceway

Cnr Modderfontein & Hereford Rd

011 609-0076

Melody Chironda and Nana Futshane