Winter is a great time to try a new sport. You can burn calories, watch the landscape change in real time and bond with your loved ones. But some of the most popular winter sports aren’t exactly made to be enjoyed by the entire family. Downhill skiing, snowboarding and ice hockey all require a certain level of experience, and some youngsters and those with a fear of heights may be unable to participate. So, how can your whole family have fun outside this winter?
There are at least five family-friendly winter sports that are perfect for all ages. They don’t require a lot of experience or equipment aside from boots or a helmet communication system, so you and your loved ones can hit the trail as soon as possible. Add these activities to your family’s to-do list to make it the best winter yet.
1. Cross-Country Skiing
If you don’t feel like going downhill at 20 miles per hour, you and your family can always venture through the snowy wilderness on skis instead. Cross-country skiing remains immensely popular in the U.S., with around 4.5 million participants in 2021. Instead of racing towards the bottom of a mountain, you will use your poles and skis to glide on top of the snow on a mostly flat surface.
Cross-country skiing is less risky than skiing downhill, but injuries can still occur, including lower back, foot and knee pain, frostbite and cold stress. Everyone should maintain good posture on the trail to avoid injury. Be sure to use the proper gear and wear warm waterproof clothing when enjoying this activity. The most physically able person should go first to test the trail. Use the proper footwork to avoid slipping and falling.
If you want to keep in sync with your whole group, use a Bluetooth ski helmet to sync up with everyone in your group. With this type of device, you can put it on your head, and all you have to do is speak into the receiver to start a conversation with your loved ones when you get too far away to hear each other in person. When you use a Bluetooth mesh communicator, you can keep your phone in your pocket to keep so you don’t have to worry about dropping it on the slopes.
2. Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is another low-intensity sport that’s perfect for all experience levels. Instead of wearing long skis on your feet, you will wear a mesh-style shoe that distributes your weight evenly over the snow so you don’t sink down every time you take a step. You can still use a pole to keep your balance, but it shouldn’t be too much harder than walking through sand. Everyone will need a pair of snowshoes to get started — and plenty of warm layers.
3. Ice Skating
Nearly every community has at least one ice rink. It’s a holiday tradition for many families, and it’s perfect for children of all ages. You can rent everything you need to start skating at the rink. Some younger kids and those who are new to ice skating will need to learn how to stay balanced on the ice, but it gives them a chance to use their body in new ways. Avoid skating in unsupervised areas, including on lakes and ponds that appear to be frozen. You never know when someone could go crashing through the ice. As your family’s skill level improves, you can turn your outing into a friendly ice hockey game.
4. Snow Biking
There’s a new winter sport sweeping the nation called snow biking, or fat biking. Getting through the snow on a normal road bike is next to impossible. That’s why you need to use a bike with overly large snow tires that distribute the weight. The sport is still in its infancy, so you may need to do some research to find a local store with the right gear. You may be able to install snow tires onto your mountain bike if space allows, but check the dimensions beforehand to see if they are compatible.
Biking through snowy valleys may seem safer than biking through traffic, but everyone in your group should still wear a helmet in case of an accident. Use a helmet communication device to wirelessly connect to everyone in your group so you can enjoy the experience as a family. The device will automatically connect to anyone in your party whenever you are in range to help you stay focused on the path ahead.
5. Sledding
You can also try going downhill on a sled or even an inflated innertube if you have access to hills in your area. This is usually much safer than skiing or snowboarding, but injuries can still occur. Make sure you are sledding into an open area to avoid running into obstacles. Consider what’s lurking underneath the snow to see if there is a risk of injury. Bundle up your loved ones in the same sled to have fun as a group. Put an adult out front in case you run into anything on your way down the hill.
Your family doesn’t need to go on an extravagant vacation to have fun this winter. You can try all kinds of heart-pumping outdoor activities close to home when the snow starts to fall. Use this information to stay safe all season long.
