(Last updated February 2025)
If you are similar to me and the winter months are a bit slower with being outdoors then keep on reading. In this blog I will share some of my favourite things I have done this winter to keep me sane.
I won't lie the winter is not my favourite, being cold is not something I enjoy a-lot. I would rather have the cold for a couple weeks then fly somewhere warm until spring. However I do like having four seasons and it could be worse. Every summer I dread when it ends because I know I will be inside more when it's colder. It's why I get out so much during the spring and summer months. It can be a pretty crazy adjustment to being outdoors every single day to not as much in the winter. So here's how I stay stimulated until my favourite hiking seasons come around.
Visit a Thermal Spa:
I have really been enjoying the sauna circuits and I have visited a few with some friends, one being on Gabriola called Arbutus View, the one in Nanaimo called Island Sauna and the one in Shawnigan Lake called NYUBU. This is a great activity to do after a hike and group with a few friends so you mostly get the "social sessions" all to yourself and friends. There are many benefits to cold water therapy and hot such as increased circulation, builds resilience, restores the nervous system, helps muscle tension and soreness. Definitely check one out!
Book a Staycation:
I recently stayed at an Airbnb called Elora Oceanside Retreat in Sooke with a close girlfriend where we saw whales and sea lions while soaking in our hot tub. The home was situated right on the ocean where we enjoyed the views, a glass of wine and ate a yummy charcuterie board. Change of scenery can make all the difference in your mood when your used to seeing the TV in your living room day to day in the winter months. Pair this with checking out some of the local hikes in the area and pair with checking out a local cafe.
Go for a Snowshoe:
Snowshoeing can be fun but it requires some effort for sure. I have snowshoed mountains before and I prefer more of the trails where they are already groomed. The ones where we have to make your own trail and post-holing? Yeah not my favourite, maybe I'll try it again someday and see if it's better. I really enjoy snowshoeing in Paradise Meadows at Mount Washington. You do have to have snowshoes and can't just walk in this area. You will have to pay for snowshoes if you don't have them which I believe is $30 and the pass to go in this area during winter is $14? I believe. It's a patrolled area and it's very beautiful.
Go Skiing or Snowboarding:
I have been snowboarding since I was thirteen years old and the first mountain I ever snowboarded was Whistler. I locally continue to go to Mount Washington every year as my mom always books a condo for our family to enjoy around February. I will be heading there at the end of the month and I'm really looking forward to getting out there. I hope my son finally gets out there with a lesson. As my husband and I have tried every year since he was two. We also have Mount Cain, on the island - which I have never visited but really want to check out. It's just kind of out there to go for a day. An overnight trip would be ideal.
Go Ice Skating at Your Local Rink:
We've done this a couple times this year at one of the local rinks called Frank Crane. They have free skates on Sundays, we went earlier the last time to beat the crowds however as it does get pretty busy. This is fun for the whole family! Bonus if you find a lake that is solid enough to skate on during the cold snaps, I've seen people do that as well. I've seen it at Witchcraft in Nanaimo and Loon Lake in Port Alberni. Please make sure it's safe to do this and is in-fact solid.
Have a Fire with Hot Chocolate:
Getting all the supplies can sometimes be a-lot in the cold, but once you have the fire going, I promise this is such a nice little activity to do to enjoy the outdoors. I like to find beaches where you can have fires on. I have got out my little propane fire pitt and set it up in the backyard when it was snowing once too and it was a vibe. The best beach to have a fire that you are allowed to have one is Cedar Beach. There's many beaches that don't allow beach fires and that is unfortunate. Bring your jetboil and get some warm hot chocolate to sip on. The kids also love it!
Visit a Natural Hot-Spring:
Probably one of my favourite activties to do in the winter time. We are limited to natural ones on Vancouver Island as we only have one that you can boat to in Tofino called Hot Springs Cove. I will be visting that one in May with a friend from Oregon soon. I've been here before in 2019 and it was magical. We saw whales and the boat ride was cool. It's pretty costly now as I paid over $275, orignally it was $120 back in 2019. I do love a good free natural hotspring though and the mainland has quite a few of them if you have a reliable vehicle to get to them. Check out my blog on Sloquet. I was here back in October of 2024 and before that in May of 2023. If you haven't been to a natural hot-spring you must!
Go for a Local Snowy Walk or Hike:
When it snows, I typically want to sled or build a snowman with my son but I do like to get out and take some photos of the local walks or hikes nearby. This year my favourite has been Neck Point Park, something about the snow makes everything appear so much more magical and pretty. I have gone on the longer hikes in the past but now that I can't carry Graeson it's getting harder to convince him to brave the cold even with winter gear on. My sister and I took our kids recently to Loon Lake and that was really pretty. There was even people skating on the lake!
Book a Hot Yoga Session:
Hot yoga is so good for movement, flexibility and cardiovascular health. Although the last class I went to was not techically "hot" it has a wood stove in this neat dome. This was in Squamish on a ranch called Kind Yoga. It was a cute place with donkeys, horses and a beautiful river where I saw eagles. I could hear the raindrops on the dome and feel the warmth of the fire and it was very tranquil. Definetly recommend booking something like this in the colder winter months. It's so good for your body to get moving and stretch it all out!
Those are my favourite outdoor activities during the "off" season for me, you may be a seasoned hiker and that's cool. I'm happy for you but this girl likes hiking mountains in the spring and summer when that white stuff is gone. I can't wait to swim in waterfalls and become a mermaid again. Until then I will re-decorate my house, fill it with warmth and stay cozy. I will do all of the above and rest my feet because the spring and summer? It's game on. I have so many things planned already and I cannot wait to share with you where I will go for the 2025 season.
Before you go, I wanted to give a shout out to the company KUHL as they sent me a pair of Women's Frost Pants for the winter season. I always struggle what I am going to wear in the winter for pants. I have been wearing these on several of the activities mentioned above and I approve of them 100%. They have a fleece liner, water resistant, has several pockets for connivence and they also have convenient zippers to fit all boots. Shop here: (I am in no way affiliated with them and just giving my honest review of them.) Thank you so much for sending me them, I am loving them for the winter months. I stay nice and cozy!
Thank you for reading as always and stay warm. See you out there! Lyss xo
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