Don’t Hibernate: How to Make the Most of Winter Adventures with Friends

By Jenn Pacheco, Contributing Blogger

Winter has made its presence known yet again, with its chilly winds and cold climates encircling us every time we step outside. The difference this year is that we’re not going to fill the low temperature months with indoor sedentary activities and bed rotting. No way! 

Instead, we’re going to get outdoors, put hibernation on the back burner, and indulge in a fresh new perspective of the frosty time that we have. 

The following list of winter activities I’ve gathered is best done with friends so that you can have the most fun. But riding solo is hardly a bad thing. As long as you’re moving that body - while bundled up in the appropriate layers - you’re sure to have a blast.

Ice Skating

Starting the list of strong with a good ice skating sesh. The smooth glide of the blade as soon as you push off on your feet feels soothing to the soul. Connecting with the ice puts you in a magical trance of forward and backward motions, in combination with playful twists and turns. That is, if you’re good at the sporty activity. 

If you’re not, well, then you might need a helping hand to guide you around the rink. 

Either way, the fun to be had is extraordinary, and the workout will wake your muscles up in an instant. Just beware, if you fall a time or two on your bottom, you may be sore and have a few bruises the next day. Nothing a sweet and tasty hot chocolate can’t fix!

Skiing

If you’re looking for a days’ long escapade, look no further than skiing down the beautiful snowy mountains. My group of friends and I absolutely love taking a trip up North a couple of times a year to Maine. We often start early in the AM, ride the gondola up, and cruise down the slopes at a normal pace. That cycle goes on repeat until lunch time, when we hang out with a nice cup of energizing coffee and a medium-sized meal. Then, it’s time to hit replay!

We also prioritize relaxation in the evenings; we don’t choose to drive the 3-4 hours back to our hometown after the long, eventful day. Instead, we lodge in the cabins, have an outdoor fire, and get the s’mores going with extra gooey marshmallows.

Now, if you don’t live where it snows during the Winter, that’s usually not a problem. Make a trip like I do or search for some faux snow resorts in your neck of the woods. Though it won’t “smell like snow,” as Lorelei Gilmore from Gilmore Girls would say, it’ll get the job done. Just keep in mind that the fake stuff can be a bit more slippery; try to be as steady as you can!

Hot Springs

Just like skiing, hot springs can’t always be visited in the comfort of your hometown. Convenience isn’t really a priority with these bodies of water heated by geothermal energy. They’re natural, and the best you can do for an at-home experience is to simulate one using Epson salts, bentonite clay, essential oils, and soft lighting. For the real thing, you’re required to physically go to one to indulge in muscle relaxation, pain relief, and stress reduction benefits. 

But all in all, let me tell you firsthand, it’s worth the travel time. Think of it like a luxury bath… that you can bring your significant other and/or friends to.  

Now, we know you were looking for *active adventures* to do in this article, but sometimes a little bit of winding down time is good for the mind, body, and soul. You have to get some R&R in on the weekly in order to keep up with physical exercise, after all.

Tubing

By the looks of it, tubing doesn’t seem like it would be an athletic activity. Well, to that I say, “Tell your legs that!” 

Truth be told, there is a pulley system that’ll drag you up the mountain. So it’s not like you're putting work in on the leg muscles in the ascension.

Then, the person running the show will tell you when to lay your tummy down on the tube once you reach the top of the mountain. Why? So that the person tubing downward before you has enough time to get to the bottom of the hill without the two of you colliding. Sounds easy so far.

The tricky part is when you get about 75% of the way to the ground level. You’re required to dig the tips of your toes into the stiff snowy declines. And let me tell you, this motion is not for the weak. You have to use parts of your leg muscles that don’t often get a lot of attention, and two days later, you’ll be lounging on the couch refusing to get up. You can take a break at reaching your 10k steps a day goal, right?

Volunteer

I did really want to include volunteering in this list of winter adventures for a reason - because what’s a holiday season without a little bit of community participation? 

Head on over to your nearest food bank and serve some meals. Help organize donation drives for local neighborhoods. Donate food, clothing, blankets, or supplies to those in need. Run errands for the senior citizens in your lives. Clock some time at an animal shelter or foster a pet in need of a home. Get creative - the sky’s the limit! Just do a quick Google search of what your area needs and pick what best suits you. I know I enjoy every second when I donate my time.

Decorate for the Holidays

When was the last time you hung outdoor Christmas lights along your roof? When was the last time you dug out your Frosty the Snowman light up decoration? When was the last time you strategically set up your front yard nativity scene? Go do those three things and tell me how tired you feel afterward - oh, and tell me how many muscles are on fire over the next few days.

Something as simple as decorating can put your body into fat burning mode. The lugging, the positioning, the balance, the long, hard hours of dedication and effort. Now that’s what we call a winter activity!

Indoor Workout Routines

For those of you that dreadfully hate the below freezing temperatures, I got you covered. Believe me, there are times where I think to myself, “No way am I going out there to get my bodily daily activities in.” 

Instead of chattering my teeth away and shivering in my bones, I’ll put on a YouTube workout routine in my living room. I’ll dig out the yoga mat, get some dumbbells and workout bands, and set myself up for my personal preference of the day. Sometimes I’ll choose functional strength training, other times I’ll lean into dancing or pilates. Maybe I’ll feel super strong on a given day and do more than one! But no matter what, I always choose Grow With Jo, because that girl motivates the heck out of me. 

At the end of the day, as long as you’re moving your body, you’ll feel physically and mentally better. And ain’t that the whole point to getting through the winter?