The winter season might be a cold one, but for families who love adventure the snow and ice offer endless opportunities for exhilarating outdoor pursuits. A vacation that encompasses frost-covered landscapes and picturesque snowy mountains is one to be treasured, not avoided, and is the perfect option for a family getaway.
Whether you are sailing from Seattle to cruise Alaska or driving up to the snowy slopes of Aspen, winter adventures are full of amazing experiences and great things to do. Here are a few of the best ways to create lasting family memories during the coldest part of the year.
Snowshoeing Expeditions
Heading off into the snow-covered wilderness for a snowshoe hike is an incredible experience and a great way for families to explore the outdoors. Snowshoe trails let you get off the beaten path and explore pristine scenery blanketed in white, exploring the parts of the backcountry off-limits to normal hikers. Snowshoeing is an adventure, sure, but it is also incredibly inclusive, a fun activity where even the youngest members of the family can join in!
Sledding Thrills
Nothing beats the pure joy and the rush of adrenaline that comes from throwing yourself down snowy slopes on an authentic wooden sled…or metal tray, trashcan lid, or whatever else you have to hand! Sledding goes beyond generational divides, bringing young and old together and unlocking the child in everyone. A winter vacation is the perfect time to get back to a simpler time with an afternoon of sledding, something that guarantees fun-filled family moments wherever you are.
Cross-Country Skiing Adventures
If you are up for something with a little more exertion, cross-country skiing is an underappreciated gem of an activity. Unlike downhill skiing, cross-country skiing or ski touring doesn’t need pristine slopes and runs and takes you to the more remote corners of the mountains that come with the most incredible views imaginable. A cross-country ski adventure tends to go off-piste on wilder trails between remote mountain huts, bringing with it natural beauty and astonishing serenity in equal measures!
Ice Skating Under Open Skies
Ice skating is one of the classic winter activities, a perfect way to spend a frozen December afternoon. While indoor ice rinks are available year-round, a winter vacation offers the opportunity to skate under open skies, on frozen lakes, rivers, or outdoor rinks in picturesque spots. Whether you head to a remote mountain lake or prefer the gorgeous rink in the historic town square, skating outdoors is a wonderful way to combine exercise with fun. While learning to skate well takes time, it is an activity that is open to everyone, and whether you glide gracefully or wobble amusingly on the ice, you are guaranteed an enjoyable experience.
Winter Wildlife Exploration
While frozen, snow-covered landscapes might look deserted, the great outdoors is full of life during the winter, and frosty scenery offers a unique and unusual backdrop for wildlife observation. Wrapping up warm and heading out into nature to track local animals through the snow and catch a glimpse of rabbits, foxes, or other creatures is a delightful way to spend a day, and a great way to get an appreciation of the resilience of nature even in the harshest of conditions.
Hot Cocoa and Cozy Moments
Finally, no winter getaway is complete without a few moments where you sit back in a warm, cozy, comfortable space, wrapped up warm in front of a roaring fire, with a mug of hot cocoa or a bowl of warm soup. It is a great way to decompress from the exertions of exploring the great outdoors and the perfect time to plan your adventures for the next day!