Getting ourselves outside during the long winter months is a must. When the clock sets back, darkness comes upon us far too quickly and lasts for far too long. We all seem to spend much more time inside than we do in the summer. The four seasons are great because our bodies need the extremes of hot and cold to appreciate the full spectrum of the seasons. That being said, there are several winter sports that can get us outside and into the forest. The first thing about going out in the winter weather is wearing the proper gear. The best way to stay warm outside in the winter is to dress with layers; this should include long johns, thermal socks, snow pants, a jacket, hat, gloves, face mask, and goggles to keep ourselves from getting too cold or frostbitten. We need these layers to be able to last longer out in the cold.
Snowboarding downhill skiing or snow skating
Going to huge fancy mountain resorts is the first thing that comes to mind when winter sets in. All resorts were once dense mountainside forests that had certain trails cut and carved throughout to promote skiing, snowboarding, or snow skating. I like going to these resorts to ride because they get us out in nature. All the resorts are in the forest as well. The leaves fall off all the deciduous trees in the winter which creates a barren exposed forest palace that you can see straight through. Evergreens such as pines, spruces, cedars, and firs stay lush and green all year round.
Many people don’t even know what snow skating is. It is basically attaching a binding to the top of a wide ski then securing and bolting a skateboard deck to the top. It is similar to riding a skateboard but in the snow!
Doing these activities helps us to stay physically fit while keeping our lungs full of that cold winter fresh air. The air, in turn, oxygenates the blood that gives us many benefits; many of those benefits include improving our immune system, helping our body self-repair, reducing stress, and improving brain function. Every cell in your body needs oxygen.
Riding at these resorts offers breathtaking views.
After making our way up to the highest peaks by either chairlift or gondola the views are incredible. If it’s not cloudy we can see for miles in almost all directions. Another great feature of resorts is that most have forest trails or glades that are trails through the woods in between trees that are exceptionally fun to ride especially with fresh deep powder.
As much as I love a fancy resort high in the mountains, breathtaking views can be found in any local park or even in your own backyard. My favorite brand of snowboard is the libtech.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling in winter is another one of my all-time favorites, especially driving through deep fresh fluffy powder. Being the first to drive down a freshly groomed trail through the woods is the ultimate rush. The experience is exceptional with all our senses being uplifted all at once with adrenalin. Plus it is extremely fun. Again we get to breathe in the cool crisp air of the winter which in return is healthy for our bodies. In the north where snow exists snowmobile trails go for hundreds and even thousands of miles.
Cross Country skiing
Another great sport to get outside in the winter is cross-country skiing. Cross country skiing is much like downhill skiing except your heal is not locked down in a binding. The ski stays attached to your ski boot by a toe clip that allows your heel to flex freely. The trails for cross-country skiing are also carved through the forest so you get to stay immersed in the forest and trees. Cross country skiing is an awesome cardiovascular workout that is very much like running or jogging. The faster you go or the steeper the terrain the more you get your heart pumping.
Snowshoeing
When snow is deep enough often 6 inches or more snowshoeing becomes a great winter activity because the long wide surface area of the snowshoe allows us to stay up on top of the snow without sinking in too deeply. This in turn makes it easier to trek through the forest or fields The benefit of snowshoeing is the conservation of energy compared to boots falling down through the deep snow and trying to pull or plunge ourselves forward without them.
Sledding
During the winter months, sledding is a great activity for almost anyone. Riding a sled down a steep hill is both invigorating, yet thrilling. All children love to go sledding and it’s a perfect family outing. It is an extreme workout because once you sled to the bottom of a hill whatever size it is, you have to turn around to walk back up to the top dragging the sled behind,
Hiking
Going for a hike in the winter is a must for my family and me. We love to go to all the local parks that have miles and miles of hiking trails. Sometimes the trails are icy in winter so yack tracks or microspike are important to keep us from slipping and sliding or worst falling down. Once we hike up in elevation onto a ridge or drumlin the exposed forest view is transforming.
Ice Climbing
A more hard-core winter sport where you can engage in the forest atmosphere is ice-climbing. There are a couple of different ways to ice-climb. You can either go to an extremely frozen stream or creek with a waterfall or a steep mountain or cliffside that has a water source that runs from it that freezes to promote thick ice. It is imperative to find a spot that works. Proper training safety precautions and experience are a must for anyone that wants to ice climb. A person needs to spend some money to purchase the right ice climbing equipment such as a harness, crampons, a helmet, ice axes, a set of cams, ice screws, quick draw carabiners, climbing rope with ascenders and descender.
Pond Hockey
When I was a bit younger my childhood friends and I would trek with shovels, hockey sticks, and Ice skates to the local ponds in my hometown. We would then make sure that the ice was thick enough! Then begin to shovel the snow off to get to the bare ice. Once the pond was cleared we would begin a friendly game of hockey. A little bit of rain or warmth once the pond was shoveled off followed by a cold night would provide the perfect smooth ice formation.
Conclusion
I think that winter can sometimes be a bit hard for all of us. Driving in the winter is more challenging with the snow-covered roads often being dangerous to drive on. Wearing multiple layers with jackets, snow pants, hats, and gloves for months on end can also be annoying, but the best thing is that there are many winter sports activities that are both fun and healthy to get us through. Being prepared is going to be the most important part of enjoying any outdoor winter activity. Have fun choosing your sport and exploring your local parks or the amazing resorts. Gear up and get out in it!