5 Outdoor Activities You Should Try This Winter

During the cold winter season, most people want to curl up on the couch by the fire with a mug of hot cocoa and watch Netflix. I get it – winter and lots of snow can seem long and daunting. While I love my days snuggling with the pups and reading, it’s great to have balance, and getting outdoors will do you loads of good mentally and physically. I never really liked winter sports before this season, because either I wasn’t sure what all there was to do, where to go to rent things, or it was just too dang cold. (I’m from North Carolina and anything below 32 to me was cold). While I can’t fix the temperatures, I can give you some advice in this post about five outdoor activities you should try this winter to keep you active, that anyone of all ages can do! These activities are not limited to Europe either, where I currently live!

Table of Contents

1. Skiing / Snowboarding

The first time I skied was when I was a teenager in North Carolina. I don’t really remember having lessons (even though my parents swear I did). All I can remember is my brother convincing me to go up to the Black Diamond route and I ran into a tree on the slope down (so naïve of me to trust him)! I really started to love skiing at the end of 2018 when we skied on Christmas Day in Obertauern, Austria – near Salzburg. At first, I really really really hated it and wanted to give up, but then I realized it wasn’t so bad. We skied again on New Years Day in Folgaria, Italy and again a few weeks later in Poiana Brasov, Romania. I love skiing for a few reasons – you’re out with the locals, the views are incredible from the ski slopes and lifts, and the food and hot drinks at the rifugios/huts along the slope are always the best! I like skiing in Europe because most ski instructors speak English and are very patient, the slopes are top notch, and there’s usually fresh powder in the winter months. The next place I want to ski is in Chamonix, France!

Equipment: For skiing, you’ll need a ski helmet, goggles, skis, ski boots, ski poles, and lift passes

Cost: We purchased our own helmets & goggles from Decathlon (because wearing someone else’s helmet is kind of gross to me), so we usually spend around $100 for the two of us to ski for an entire day. Lift passes included.

Skiing in Romania
Skiing in Austria
Skiing in Italy

2. Snow Hiking / Hiking

Hiking is perfect for ANY season! Just getting outdoors and breathing in fresh air, even if it’s cold fresh air, is healthy for you. Hiking in the snow adds a whole new dimension. I think everything is so much more beautiful and pristine when it’s covered in a white layer. It makes my eyes dance from tree to tree. Some of my most memorable hikes have been snow hikes. You aren’t usually able to cover as much ground when hiking in the snow, and you’ll need more gear, but it’s a great full body workout and it will for sure get your heart rate up, even if you’re not incline hiking. The act of having to pick your foot up higher each time to step in the snow does great things for your legs. I find most of my trails on Outdoor Active using the App and filtering to “snow hike” or “winter trails”. All Trails is also a great website and app for more trails.

Equipment: For snow hiking, you’ll need a water bottle, waterproof hiking boots, gaiters, waterproof hiking pants, hiking poles, sunglasses (to beat off the reflection of the sun & snow), & yaktrax in case you encounter any ice. To hold these things, I always carry my REI Day Trail 30 Pack. You can find similar ones on Amazon, at REI, or any preferred sporting good store.

Cost: The best part about hiking is that it’s totally free, unless you’re in a national or state park and an entrance fee is required, OR there are tolls and parking fees. Otherwise, the great outdoors is free!

San Martino di Castrozza, Passo Rolle Dolomites, Winter Activities

Photo by Maria Cavins Photography

Related Post: Join me and many others on our hike to 100-mile challenge!! Read more about it here!

3. Tobogganing / Sledding

Nothing makes you feel like a kid again more than flying down a hill on a toboggan. I get the biggest smile and am full of giggles whenever I go tobogganing. On my parent’s farm growing up, we had the best hill to sled down on those little round disk sleds. Once you made that first path, you could fly down that baby. My all-time favorite place in Europe is in Merano, Italy where their toboggan run is 3km long, full of twists and turns and steep hills. It’s even nicer when there’s a lift to take you back up to the top of the hill!

Equipment: a sled or toboggan, gloves highly recommended

Cost: in my experience, we rented a toboggan for 8€ a day, and lift passes can vary (if that’s even needed)

Tobogganing Merano 2000, Outdoor Winter Activities — Snow sledding in Merano, Italy

4. Snowshoeing

The first time we went snowshoeing was in Alta, Norway. We rented them from a ski rental place for $5 a day. Snowshoes require so much more effort than just walking. The point of having these is for super deep snow as it helps you to not sink in and you can balance better. They take some getting used to that’s for sure! I find it’s easier when you’re using hiking poles along with the snowshoes. They basically fit around your hiking boots.

Equipment: snowshoes, hiking poles, hiking boots

Cost: very reasonably priced. snowshoe rentals & even buying them are inexpensive

5. Dog sledding

This isn’t as active as the other activities, especially if you’re just riding in the sleigh, but dog sledding/mushing is one of the most thrilling outdoor winter activities I’ve ever done. Dog sledding in Norway under the Northern Lights was literally the highlight of my life. We covered 30 kilometers in 6.5 hours and I could’ve easily kept on going! I felt free, on the same level as nature, and part of a pack for the first time in a long time! You’ll find different places to dog sled or something similar by doing a simple google search.

Equipment: most places (the one we went to) will provide the outer layers necessary to keep you warm, just be sure to wear appropriate base layers, GoPro / Camera

Cost: Ours cost us about $100 / person for an all day trip with lunch included in Norway. Others will probably be much more reasonable.

I hope this list and photos have inspired you to get outdoors and get to moving this winter. There is so much to be done so slip on those warm sweaters and head to the mountains or your nearest hills and enjoy the fresh air! If you loved this, give it a share or drop us a comment below on any other outdoor winter activities that you love.