If you’re laughing to yourself while reading this headline and thinking “the five ways to enjoy winter with your family are 1. Skiing, 2. Skiing, 3. Skiing” and so on, I understand. Alpine skiing is, without a doubt, our family’s favorite way to enjoy winter. But we also know that winter fun can be had in so many additional ways.
Snow is nature’s canvas for family fun. So here you go, five alternative ways to enjoy this winter with your family and friends!
(This post was written by me in 2020. Portions of this post were originally published at FIS Snowkidz. It has been updated.)
Five Fun Ways to Enjoy Winter With Your Family
Cross-Country or Nordic Skiing
Cross country skiing comes in two flavors: classic and skate. Classic skiing is two-track skiing on groomed or ungroomed trails. Think of it as a combination of walking and sliding. Skate skiing is faster and requires a wide groomed track. It is truly skating on skis. Both varieties require specialized gear and both deliver a fantastic workout, along with a beautiful day on snow.
Pro Tip: Cross-country skiing is made for families, as even babies can go along for the ride. Whether carried in a pack or pulled on a sled, dress your children warmly. You’ll be building up heat, they will not. For young kids ages four and up, start with classic skiing and keep the experience short and fun. Help them get used to sliding and be sure to bring a thermos of hot chocolate and snacks.
Snowshoeing
Compared to nordic skiing, snowshoeing can take you into more varied terrain, with less investment in equipment. Because you’re walking or hiking on snow, snowshoeing is very easy to learn. Bring ski poles to keep your balance and provide leverage on steeper terrain. You’ll also need warm, insulated boots, gaiters to protect your ankles and feet in deep snow, and snowshoes!
Pro Tip: Practice snowshoeing with your family in your yard or garden, or on any flat area that’s snow covered. Once your child is comfortable walking on the snowshoes, try a short, rolling trail. Avoid cross-country ski trails, as snowshoes damage the tracks.
Fat-Biking
A new entry in the world of winter fun, fat biking uses a mountain bike-type frame and equips it with knobby, balloon tires that are perfect for riding on snow. Because the tires are wide, the ride is cushioned and they are easy to balance on, especially for kids.
Pro Tip: Biking is one of life’s simple joys and generally fun for families. Fat bikes come in kids sizes, for the littlest riders. Choose snow-covered gravel paths for the most fun for all ages.
Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding
Backcountry snowsports offer a winning combination of endorphin-building climbing and euphoria-producing descents. Skins are affixed to the bottom of telemark or AT skis that are fitted with special bindings that allow you to climb. For snowboarders, a split board is mandatory for hiking.
Pro Tip: The backcountry is not appropriate for young children. Because backcountry skiing and snowboarding have more inherent risks than resort snowsports, every member of the family should pass Avalanche Safety Training courses before heading out. Each person should carry all recommended safety and search and rescue gear and know how to use it. Most importantly never head into the backcountry without checking the avalanche condition report. Have fun, but stay safe.
Sledding and Tubing
When it comes to pure, simple winter fun, nothing beats sledding and tubing. While tubing is often done at ski resorts on long, rolling runs, sledding can be done anywhere you have a slope and snow. For safety, choose hills with long runouts and no obstacles at the bottom. Be sure to tie a rope handle to the sled to make it easier to pull back uphill.
For a totally different take on sledding, try dog sledding. Look for a reputable outfitter who takes good care of the dogs. Sled dogs are born to pull and enjoy doing their work. But you still want to make sure that they are happy and healthy. In Colorado, we have had a good experience dog sledding with Snow Mountain Ranch.
Pro Tip: Sleds come in all shapes and sizes. While it’s tempting to purchase inexpensive plastic models, they break more easily. Our favorite family sled is a wooden sled that has a plastic base instead of sharp runners. It’s sturdy, fun, has room for two people and because it weighs a bit more, offers long, fast descents.
So there you have it: five fun ways for families to enjoy the coldest and most fun of the four seasons. There are plenty of other fun things to do on snow in winter including snowmobiling, building snow forts and snowmen, and playing many, many outdoor snowy games (search online, you’ll be amazed!).
Whatever you do this winter with your family, have fun, and enjoy every wonderful, beautiful, inspirational snowy moment!
Cheers!
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When you don’t have big mountains, XC skiing, tubing, sledding and snowshoeing are often what you get! Thanks for broadening the focus on outdoor winter. I have some girlfriends that are happy if they go for a winter hike and then stand around the outdoor fire and chat/drink wine. So that’s also OK.
Omitted (or maybe this is just a Midwest thing) is skating on outdoor rinks! Many people build them (we have a pretty small one in our yard, too.) but more and more municipalities are installing the synthetic ice rinks in outdoor spaces (a nod to climate change there). As long as you have some beater skates, they work fine (if slow). But don’t let your kids take their competition hockey skates on them!
Thank you for the wonderful comment! Your suggestions — winter hiking and outdoor ice skating — are fantastic! I am so glad you brought these up, along with offering tips on skating on synthetic rinks. This is fantastic! Thank you for sharing!