Winter adventures away from the lift lines
Wintertime provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities and experiences that will warm your mind, body and soul
Curious Nature
Adobe Stock Image/Licensed by Walking Mountains Science Center
In the winter, the natural world seems to shimmer with crystalline beauty. Bird song seems more vibrant as it echoes off snow-covered forests while tracks reveal a glimpse of winter survival.
Despite all the natural beauty, this time of year can dampen our spirit of adventure and exploration. I urge you to avoid viewing winter as dark and dreary and instead challenge you to see a landscape blanketed in crisp white snow, as clean and fresh to enlist a feeling of new beginnings and adventure. This season just begs to be explored.
If you are tired of waiting in long lift lines and weaving through the mass of bodies barreling downhill, you have so many more options for winter experiences. ‘Tis the season of new beginnings after all, so how about trying some new winter adventures this year?
Explore the backcountry
A surefire way to escape those lift lines and get some of the best-untouched snow is to explore the backcountry. The backcountry provides a blank canvas for all sorts of winter activities. Earn your turns, by skinning or split boarding. Cruise through the forest on Nordic skis or a fat bike. For those of us hikers out there who don’t want to take a break from the solitude of getting out on the trail, snowshoeing is a must. However you choose to get out in the backcountry, it is important to keep safety in mind and always be aware of the snow conditions and terrain you are traveling through.
Ice skating
If you love old-fashioned winter activities, then why not take an ice-skating outing? Nothing feels more traditional to the season than gliding hand-in-hand with someone special, round and round a glistening ice rink. There are lots of ice rinks around to choose from. Many of them are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of shopping centers, cafes and fireplaces for that truly winter wonderland appeal.
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Ice fishing
For the more rugged winter adventurer, I have been told that this activity isn’t really about the fish at all. Winter anglers reap the most placid of the season’s rewards: tranquil landscapes, animal encounters, and early morning sunlight bouncing along the frozen water. Whether you set your chair down and cut a hole or find an ice-fishing cabin to rent or put on your waders with warm socks; do not forget to get a fishing license first.
The art of doing nothing
Imagine a day where you do not have any responsibilities. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? One of my favorite winter activities is taking a true day off. No plans. No to-do lists. No objective. Wake up and let the day unfold as it may. I will admit this isn’t exclusively winter activities but something about the winter makes doing nothing feel more acceptable and appropriate.聽If nothing feels like a daunting task, maybe shoot for a day of less. You may be surprised that less truly can be more.
Whether you love winter for its exceptional scenery and tranquility or its fast downhill thrills, there is something for everyone. Winter is the “start fresh” season and a perfect time to reach outside of our comfort zones. If you are used to spending most or all of your free time riding the lifts, remember that there is so much more to do. Get back to the basics and build a snowman or have a good old-fashioned snowball fight. Who knows, you may find a new passion this winter season. The opportunities are as endless as your imagination.
Scott Dunn is the community programs manager at Walking Mountains. You may find him wandering in the woods trying to master the art of doing nothing. If you do, please do not disturb him.
