10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
I can easily think of 10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER in snow country! Can you? The changing of the seasons doesn’t happen everywhere. If you are so lucky to live where the 4 extremes of seasons occur then you understand the anticipation for each one, and you can easily say what you love about each one!
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As much as it pains me for summer to depart, the anticipation for autumn color descends and makes the transition a bit easier! Then with the falling of all the brightly colored leaves, the bitter cold of winter blusters in ushering us into the Holiday seasons with true Norman Rockwell landscapes! And so on with Spring flowers leading us back to warm summer enjoyment as the cycle of seasons continues annually. Here are my 10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER!
Each season offers it’s own exciting opportunities to really enjoy what only nature can provide us! What are your favorites? What do you anticipate with joy about each season? Do you possibly live without dramatic season changes in your locale?
According to Forever Conscious, “The winter solstice celebrates the longest hours of darkness or the rebirth of the sun and is believed to hold a powerful energy for regeneration, renewal and self-reflection.”
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.”
~Edith Sitwell
TOP 10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#1 Family Snow Time!
Is there any better way to spend your winter days? Our children grow way too fast…
So many options are available for winter activities for a busy growing family. Stop whatever you are in the middle of during that next snow storm and make everyone put on their outdoor clothes and go make a snowman or build a snow fort. Watch the eyes light up and the giggles commence!
Kids don’t need it to be perfectly built or beautiful. They just want to play. Snow can provide endless hours of creativity! No “charge” necessary for the electronic device here! Just hot chocolate and a snack to re-charge and warm up when they do come in from outside afterwards!
“Nothing burns like the cold.”
~George R.R. Martin
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#2 SKIING!
At a very early age we had our children take Level 1-4 ski lessons at a local ski hill. 1 being a novice beginner without skill and 4 being advanced. My husband and I knew most of the instructors and felt very confidant turning our most precious commodities over to them for these scary lessons when our children were so young! The boys advanced quickly and had so much fun! These were great, fun times for all of us! My husband and I also ski, so having the ability to ski as a family is such a bonus! Local ski swaps were an easy and inexpensive way to gain gear each year as they grew.
Do you ski? What age did you learn? Do you remain a skiing enthusiast? Where is your favorite resort to ski or do you have a local ski hill that is easy to go to and just as fun?
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
~John Steinbeck
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#3 SNOWBOARDING
After Level 1-4 Ski lessons came Level 1-4 snowboard lessons. Both our boys can ski or snowboard. My husband and I grew up skiing, so I wanted them to learn this skill before they learned to snowboard. Snowboarding has become so popular. I was sure that once they learned this skill of snowboarding that they would not want to ski again. Now they can go back and forth, but of course as predicted, they like snowboarding much more!
Older now, both boys work at a local leading ski resort in Boyne Falls, MI as both ski techs and boot techs over their breaks from school. You will find them routinely on the ski hills ripping it up when they are home over holiday breaks and working! Snow sports are huge fun for them! It also provides them with avenues to hang out with their school pals past and present while they are home! We remain skiers, but honestly don’t go as much anymore with them. We can’t keep up!
Do you like to snowboard? What age did you learn? Do you remain a skiing enthusiast or do you prefer snowboarding? Where is your favorite resort to ski/snowboard or do you have a local ski hill that is easy to go to and just as fun as a large resort out west?
“To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”
~Aristotle
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#4 SNOWMOBILING
There are many ways to have fun on a snowmobile in the winter! Trail riding across Michigan is a big deal. Many will travel to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to ride for miles and miles along the vast number of trails in the northern wilderness. Riding from one end of the U.P. to the other end is popular as is the circle route around Lake Superior (which I think I’d rather do in the summer on a motorcycle.) I will tell you though that it is COLD!
We prefer to ride snowmobiles for daytime fun or pulling snow sleds behind for easy back yard rides! Grandpa even gets in on the fun! We get goofy and increasingly creative with what we pull behind the snowmobiles as entertainment for our kids. As they have grown, we have even viewed the snowmobile pulling snowboarders around via waterski tow ropes! (Try this at your own risk!)
While our days of vacationing trail ride trips might be something we enjoyed in days past, it doesn’t mean that we do not recommend them for others! It can be a lot of fun!
Have you ever gone on a snowmobiling trip? Pick two destinations on the map connected by a trail system and enjoy! Lots of restaurants and accommodations for overnight are available. You can even rent the snowmobiles and gear to achieve this exciting experience.
“With more than 6,500 groomed snowmobiling trails that stretch from the Keweenaw Peninsula all the way down to Michigan’s southern border, there is ample opportunity for a snowmobile adventure. Along the way you can speed across frozen lakes (be sure to check conditions first), wind through deep forests and stop in snowmobile-friendly communities for a hot meal and good company.
Plan an adventure!
To get you started with planning your snow day adventure, below are some of the best snowmobile destinations all across the state! A journey on snowmobile across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula should be on every snowmobile enthusiast’s bucket list. There are more than 3,000 miles of groomed trails in the UP alone, many featuring epic views and ideal riding conditions. Get a new perspective of destinations like Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from the seat of your sled or make your way to Eben Ice Caves or Grand Island Ice Caves to explore this unique winter phenomenon.” A Guide to Snowmobile trails in Michigan, PURE MICHIGAN WEBSITE.
“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
~Percy Bysshe Shelley
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#5 SLEDDING ENTERTAINMENT ABOUNDS
Winter always meant an annual sledding party at my sister’s house. Her girls when younger (both with winter birthdays) invited all their friends and their families over for a fun filled day of sledding, hot chocolate, lunch, and fun! They provided the perfect hills to sled down and many would bring their snowmobiles also to provide rides back up the sledding hill.
So much fun was had by all present! Good times for sure! Do you enjoy sledding in the winter? When was the last time you jumped on a sled and descended a snow covered hill to wipe out at the bottom? Enjoy with child like enthusiasm! Don’t lose touch with that simple joy inside awaiting a giggling adventure!
“They who sing through the summer must dance in the winter.”
~Italian Proverb
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#6 ICESKATING ON A FROZEN POND
Once the ice has safely frozen, many enjoy activities on frozen lakes or ponds. Ice hockey, figure skating, broomball to name a few. Wearing a helmet is recommended as ice can obviously be very slippery and head injuries do happen!
However, lots of fun can be experienced on these surfaces even without the benefit of a Zamboni! I remember as a teenager our town had an ice rink that the city maintained complete with a warming house. I spent lots of time there figure skating. It was such a great place to hang out with friends as music blared over the speakers.
Do you remember ice skating like that when you were growing up? Where did you ice skate?
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”
~Charles Dickens
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#7 ICE SAILING ON A FROZEN LAKE
My brother-in-law is big into this winter racing sport. It is pretty fascinating to watch these ice boats fly across the surface of our local Lake Charlevoix.
Wikipedia explains this sport well, “An iceboat is a recreational or competition sailing craft supported on metal runners for traveling over ice. One of the runners is steerable. Originally, such craft were boats with a support structure, riding on the runners and steered with a rear blade, as with a conventional rudder. As iceboats evolved, the structure became a frame with a seat or cockpit for the iceboat sailor, resting on runners. Steering was shifted to the front. Because of their low resistance to forward motion over ice, iceboats are capable of speeds exceeding 60 miles per hour (100 km/h). Because of their speed, iceboats are used both for recreation and for racing. Racing craft typically carry one person.”
PIN IT #14 
“The official iceboat speed record remains the one set on Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, way back in 1938. It was (hold your breath) 143 miles an hour.”
“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.”
~Anton Chekhov
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#8 RELAXATION IN A WINTER HOT TUB
Who wouldn’t want to end the stress of their day here? Nothing is better than sitting in a 103 degree hot tub sharing events of the day and unwinding while watching gentle snow flakes fall from the sky while steam rises up to meet the flakes and melt them.
Enjoy a relaxing hot tub soak after a day of playing in the snow. It’s enjoyable and decadent. Leave your cares behind by soaking them away!
“Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.”
~Victor Hugo
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#9 GO ON A JINGLE BELL SLEIGH RIDE
Every relationship requires time and attention to thrive. My father-in-law spent countless hours with his draft horses to develop a relationship with them. He very much enjoyed providing winter sleigh rides through his woods to people who enjoyed the jingle bells on his sleigh. His wife would provide hot cocoa to the visitors along with snacks and genuine fellowship. This couple remained filled with hospitality and friendship. They truly enjoyed sharing their little slice of life with others. It was their hobby and joy!
Around the holidays when all of our family would be able to gather, we would enjoy a family sleigh ride. Grandpa and Grandma, their three boys and wives, and a load of grand-ones filled the sleigh. Sometimes we would sing carols or simply just enjoy the sound of the jingle bells on the horses harnesses as the sleigh slid through the trails in the woods. If the timing was perfect a gentle snow would be falling dusting everything with it’s blanket of white. The little ones were in awe of this event and these are treasured moments tucked into our hearts.
“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape — the loneliness of it; the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.”
~Andrew Wyeth
10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER
#10 WINTER BON FIRES
Much like the hot tub, gatherings of relaxation happen around the winter bon fire! What a great place to hang out with friends or family and talk. The soothing crackle of fire along with the flicker of the flames and heat emitting can quickly relax a person and soothe their weary bones from the days exertions!
Additionally, on a very crystal clear night sky you can really enjoy the constellations of the winter sky overhead. Some of the brightest stars are visible in the northern hemisphere during the winter. Check them out. Look for the winter triangle and the winter hexagon!
Do you enjoy a winter bon fire? Have you leaned back while gazing up at the winter night sky and studied the northern hemisphere constellations?
I look forward to hearing from you! What are your 10 WAYS TO ENJOY WINTER?
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Inspirationally Yours,
Barbara
BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/
About Me
A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.
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Barbara Robinson
TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞 Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!
63 Comments
Emi
This was a fun list. We get a fair amount of snow here in Utah! Our two oldest boys are taking ski lessons for the first time this year. So far so good. It’s supposed to snow tomorrow and I’m hoping we get enough in the Salt Lake valley to build a snowman.
Barbara Robinson
Sounds like fun! Enjoy this special time with your boys as it goes way too fast!
Christina Siwik
What fun winter activities. Making memories with your children is priceless.
Barbara Robinson
Yes, time with our boys when they were so young was priceless! While I REALLY miss those days, I am currently truly enjoying watching them chase their dreams and goals now!
Suzan
All great winter fun! Finding the joy in any season is high on my list 🙂
Misskorang
As a transplant from West Africa to the United States, I have to say Winter isn’t my cup of tea but for my kids I know I need to step up and expose them to fun stuff! I will definitely be taking some of these tips. We may start small, sledding maybe and move from there.
Holly B
Winter is amazing in Arizona, some parts get snow and some get up into the 80’s. You have a wonderful list of ways to truly enjoy the wintertime!
Barbara Robinson
I have the 4 corners in AZ on my list!
Elaina
It’s so important to find activities during the winter months. Winter bonfires are one of my favorites, makes it feel a bit like summer.
Barbara Robinson
I agree! Any way to find some heat in the midst of winter is important!
Sabrina
All great ideas for the winter. Very helpful in getting over the winter blues. You can’t be blue if you are having a great time. Thanks for sharing.
Barbara Robinson
Yes! I admit that I do suffer from the winter blues when sunlight is lacking…missing winter time tropical get-a-ways this year to mix it up!
Jane
Love your winter ideas, esp the ice sailing. First time I’ve heard of it.
Barbara Robinson
The first time I saw this I was awed too!
cecile
I love Fall and I like winter. Your post is so well written. I like that you have a pictures for every activites. I never tried Down Hill ski. Its on my bucket list. I hope to be able to get a Hot Tub soon, I’m sure I will appreciate winter a little more. 🙂
Barbara Robinson
Thank you for your praise! I appreciate the positive feedback!
Sabrina DeWalt
Some of these activities I’ve never thought about. Ice sailing looks like a lot of fun.
Barbara Robinson
The “sailor” has to be quite a dare devil to pilot these!
Debbie
Lots of fun and adventurous activities, but I think the traditional sleigh ride would be my fav!
Barbara Robinson
Me too! It’s so quaint!
Keirsten
Snowboarding & then hot tubbing for me please! haha Love the safe snow fort your guys made. I remember when I was little my mom found out that we were building snow forts & freaked out bc we didn’t realize that all of the snow on the “roof” of the fort could have caved in on us. haha thankfully we didn’t do it again!
Barbara Robinson
That was my husband’s quick intervention! Thank goodness for a building project that had left over plywood pieces!
Keirsten
Seriously! That definitely worked out well. Can’t wait to get some snowboarding in this winter since last winter was a bit of a bust 😅.
Tricia Snow
There is so much to do in the winter. Thanks for the tips!
Tiffany
I don’t know how I grew up in Minnesota and never heard of ice sailing!
Barbara Robinson
It’s actually a racing circuit that travels all around the world and we (our area) are lucky enough to provide a really smooth ice and perfectly windy terrain for a fast scary course!
Megan
That is an awesome snow fort! What great ideas for winter 🙂
Erica Pittenger
I always love your adventures!! I love Winter and all the activities you can do! The Sleigh ride looks wonderful! We haven’t had a big snow here in years, but I want one! I love all your pictures!!
Barbara Robinson
Thank you for your positive vibe! I appreciate your enthusiasm! Yes! the sleigh rides are my favorite too!
Alyssa
Sounds like you and your family really know how to enjoy the winter season! I grew up in Nj so I definitely remember some crazy snow storms and fun sledding down the hill in our backyard. It was a blast but as I’ve gotten older I enjoy watching the snow on TV, lol this way I don’t need to feel the cold weather! I love the snow for its beauty but I don’t miss the cold weather.
Shelby
I’ve never heard of ice sailing before- how fun!
Kendra
Great list of family winter activities! I would love to do a snowy sleigh ride or hot tub soak! We got my grandson some fun snow toys for Christmas, so hopefully we’ll get a few decent snowfalls here soon so we can play!
Suz | TravelsWithSuz.com
In New Mexico, the big snow stays in the mountains, so there’s great dry powder skiing OR golfing down below.
Love that snow fort when your boys were little – they look so cute and delighted!
When our daughters were little, we took them skiing for the first time in Angel Fire NM – we could ski out from our hotel to the ski area lifts. The girls went to ski school while we skied, then we joined up mid afternoon to all ski together – one of my favorite memories of them growing up.
Alexis Farmer
I’m not normally a fan of winter but that hot tub is calling my name! Lol
lisa manderino
I have never heard of ice sailing. That would be so fun to watch them race!
heather J Jandrue
Lots of great winter activities. Now if it would only snow here in Mass. We seem to be lacking in that department.
Lori
Winter can be so fun and provide a whole host of activities that are special. We enjoy a lot of the same interests. My husband and kids are avid snowmobilers and have been up to the UP many times. They love the winter wonderland. I like the less motorized activities. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your list.
Marianne
We enjoy 4 distinct seasons here in Toronto… though I am not the biggest fan of winter! I do enjoy some activities… ice skating, bonfires, jacuzzi, tobogganing with the kids.
Barbara Robinson
I don’t know how I missed that you were out of Toronto! One of my favorite places! We’ve been to Pantages Theatre (Now Ed Mirvish Theatre) several times (Phantom & Les Mis) and my favorite place to eat was at Marches Movenpick! I cried when they shut down in April 2020…we had so many amazing times there! 🙁
Chelsea
I love the snow fort idea! My kids would have so much fun in that!
Ayesha Siddiqui
Our family loves winter and fully embraces it, we have the sledding, skiing, snowboarding and forts down. I’d love to skate on a real pond but temperatures don’t go that low where we are.
Sandi Barrett
If you are going to live in a winter wonderland, it’s great to find ways to enjoy it. We are skiers and boarders, but I’ve never tried ice sailing….
ANgela
As a Cali girl, most of this is foreign to me. The frozen lake boating thing looks crazy amazing!
Melissa Jones
Such great tips! I live in the cold, but definitely prefer the beach!!
Maya
Love the pictures. Great tips!
Danielle Ardizzone
I’ve never heard of ice sailing – looks fun!
Cindy Moore
It all looks so fun! I’m envious. We just don’t get much snow here in SW MO.
Terra Booth
With winter right around the corner it’s time to start booking these adventures! We do many of these but the sailing looks really neat and like something we should try!
Lisa, Casey, Barrett Dog
Excellent winter activities! Thank you for sharing.
Cecile Leger
Awesome winter activity ideas. Snowboarding is on Nicholas’s bucket list. We can’t wait to try it as a family.
Cindy
I love these ideas.
Chelsea
Ice sailing?! I’ve never even heard of that. How cool!
Barbara Robinson
It’s fun to watch too!
The Lively Traveler
I have never heard of ice sailing before! Looks fun!
Barbara Robinson
It can be quite dangerous if the boat flips from a bump in the ice when going super fast!
Tiffany Gunther
That is a great snow fort! I love snow activities. We’re still waiting for a good snow storm in Colorado. We will be doing some of these activities once it comes our way!!
Pam
So many fun ideas here! I know if it’s going to be cold, I want snow so we can ski and sled. I also love going outside to the hot tub when there is snow on the ground!
Sandi
We did the same thing, taught our kids to ski then snowboard. Skiing gives them a good base to start.
Barbara Robinson
I knew that once they snowboarded, skiing would be a thing of the past…yep! I was right!
Stacey Billingsley
Such fun ideas! I’ve never been snow-skiing, but I’d like to try one day. The hot tub also sounds fun. We don’t get as much snowy weather in Southwest Missouri as we used to, but when it does snow, I like to do all the fun snow things. I’m hoping it snows soon!
Barbara Robinson
The irony! I would love a winter with no snow and only cold! Hate driving in poor weather!
kmf
All 10 of these recommendations are great ways to enjoy winter. I’m typically not a fan but intentionally decided to embrace it…and love it. Great ideas!
Danielle M. Ardizzone
I’d love to go on a jingle bell sleigh ride! Looks like such fun!