The trick to having a snow party at night is keeping everybody warm and busy. Given our variety of interests we had to employ multiple strategies to make everyone happy.

A fire is almost always going to be a win. In summer, Gold Creek Pond has BBQ stands and picnic tables. Even with a moderate amount of snow the BBQ stands can be located and excavated. The big benefit is your fire doesn't descend into the snowpack as it burns. When there's been too much snow we've had success building small fires on the metal blades of shovels or a piece of scrap metal we brought along. (Just be sure you get the scrap back after it's cooled off.) Plus: 'smores.

Not everyone wants to hang out by the fire, though. Kids, especially, would rather be active. We had a pair of shovels and let the kids dig. What were the digging for? Beats me. They made a trench and excavated the picnic table. It was energy well spent and it kept them busy and warm.

Cocoa and hot toddies warm from the inside and the right insulating gear will keep that heat as long as possible. A sleeping pad will keep you off the snow and reflect some of the heat back to you. Down and wool are almost always winners for clothing. Add a cuddling dog and you're all set.

We spent about two hours at the Pond under clear skies. Nobody complained about being cold or bored until the end, which was right around their normal bedtimes.

Although this wasn't a big adventure in terms of mileage or elevation gained it was something the kids will remember forever. In fact, I can almost hear how they'll explain it years from now. "My crazy father dragged us out to a frozen lake on New Year's Day 2017 at night! It was awesome!" Even if it doesn't come out quite like that I'm still counting this as a win and an experience I'd recommend to everyone.