Short of burrowing deep into a sleeping bag -- or locking yourself in a closet lined with chocolate bars -- here are some ways that might help you survive what's left of winter. Hey, the first day of spring is March 20. (Technically.)

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Como Park, St. Paul

Hundreds of orchid plants will transform Como Park's Marjorie McNeely Conservatory into a Brazilian paradise during the Orchid Society of Minnesota's Winter Carnival Orchid Show Jan. 24-25. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special admission rates: adults, $5; children 3-12, $3; under 3, free.

After the orchids, the classical lines of the conservatory's Sunken Garden will shelter vibrant blossoms of azaleas, cyclamen, veltheimia and amaryllis from Jan. 30 to March 15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Info: 651-487-8200.

Minnesota Zoo Apple Valley

The zoo's Tropics Trail turns into a Tropical Beach Party from Feb. 14 to 16. There will be zookeeper talks and such, but most important, a huge indoor sandbox with music and crafts. If you can't wait until then, just go to the zoo and, once inside, change into shorts and a tank top. Plant yourself in front of the coral reef. Dream. For hours and admission info, call the Zoo-To-Do Hotline at 952-431-9500 or go to www.mnzoo.com.

Do-it-yourself Move one too many plants into the bathroom. Fill the tub with hot water and some bath oil that smells like suntan lotion -- maybe something in the coconut line? Make a large tropical-themed drink. Pipe in some reggae music. Grab a "beach read" or, if this seems entirely too self-indulgent, thumb through a pile of garden catalogs. Repeat as necessary.

Water Park of America Next to the Mall of America, adjoining the Radisson Hotel in Bloomington

They use 300,000 gallons of water to fill the park and its 12 slides that can, at capacity, help 3,000 people forget that it's below freezing on the other side of that wall. Enough said.

Open most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with varying rates, but figure on dropping at least $20. Go to www.waterparkofamerica.com for detailed info. Oh, and there's a dry admission fee of $15.95 if you just want to hang out and not get wet.

Move toward the light More than 10 million people (mostly women) suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Light Therapy Products, 5623 Memorial Av., Stillwater (651-351-9800) has light boxes starting at $179. Their website is www.lighttherapyproducts.com.

The University of Minnesota Duluth's department of health services has many suggestions on its website at www.d.umn.edu/hlthserv/counseling/common_concerns/seasonal_disorder.html.

Among them:

• Get as much natural light as possible, which might include sitting in front of a south-facing window for short but frequent periods during the day.

• Install brighter light bulbs.

• Put your lights on a timer in the bedroom to switch on a half-hour before awakening or use a dawn simulator.

• When possible, postpone making life changes until spring or summer. (Which probably includes moving to Brazil.)

Kim Ode • 612-673-7185