Reasons why NJ is a great place to enjoy the snow

Whether you're stressed from planning for this winter storm or trying to "be cool" about what we're in for, let's regroup.  New Jersey is a great place to actually get out and enjoy snow!

There's no shortage of places to enjoy some winter sports and activities. Some fresh flakes can make a number of Jersey spots look as "magical" as if Queen Elsa herself stopped by.

And, it's also now totally legal for ambitious teens to earn a few bucks for helping dig out.

Here's a short list of the "pros" of snow in Jersey:

Sledding!  State and county parks offer some great options.  Monmouth County looks to get the lion's share of this snowfall, so when it's safe grab the sled, disc or snow tube and checkout Holmdel Park, Cheesequake or Monmouth Battlefield.

There's also sledding in a number of north Jersey parks, including Allamuchy, High Point, Hopatcong, Kittatinny Valley, Ramapo Mountain, Stokes and Swartswood.

Cross-country skiing: A definite spot for fans of what's also called 'Nordic' skiing is High Point Cross Country Ski Center in Sussex County.  Ocean County Park offers some nice, easy terrain.  So does Jakes Branch Park in Beachwood.  In total, there are more than 30 state parks that can accommodate cross-country skiers. In Atlantic County, most of the 20 miles of trails at Estell Manor Park convert to cross-country skiing.

A nice, snowy hike: Pulling on your boots and navigating even the simplest of trails in New Jersey offers a new sense of wonder after a fresh layer of powder.

Downhill skiing or snowboarding. We've got that too, at Mountain Creek and Campgaw Mountain.

Legal snow shoveling for hire:  It's officially okay to offer your snow-clearing services to the neighborhood, even without a special license.  Gov. Christie signed the law on Tuesday, before shuffling back to New Hampshire for this storm. The whole thing stems from two teens who got in trouble last winter for trying to make a few bucks in Somerset County.

Backyard snow fun: Scores of Jersey kids and kids at heart right now are giddy over the thought of building a snowman tomorrow. Plopping down and making some snow angels is plenty of fun too. So is watching the family dog leap like a dolphin in a fresh snow bank.

Whether it's a few picturesque selfies or an epic day of sledding, Jersey offers the best settings for a whole range of snowfall fun.

Erin Vogt is a lifelong Jersey Girl, whose first reporting gig involved her Fisher Price tape recorder. As a wife and momma of two kiddies, she firmly believes that life’s too short to drink bad coffee.  A fan of the beach, Dave Grohl and karma, in no particular order.