Winter Wonderland

There seems to be a direct correlation between weather (temperature) and activeness. The nicer the weather is the more active people seem to be. However, when the weather gets cold, simple activities such as waking up for work suddenly become a chore; running out in the freezing cold to warm the car up, checking the weather report, bundling up before leaving, and whatever weird rituals we may have to stay dry and warm. We get home, drink something hot, grab a blanket, and head to the couch for some quality ‘comfort time’. Not a very pretty picture I just painted, now is it? Sadly this holds true for some, if not most of us. Fortunately, while the cold weather, and the early darkness is viewed as disgusting, gloomy, and even depressing by most, believe it or not, there are many that not only live for this time of year, but are the most active in the winter as well!

No, I’m not talking about Eskimos, Penguins, or Canadians (just kidding, of course). When you think of athletes, who do you think of? Mostly football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis players right? That’s because while the majority of us are vegging on our couch drinking hot chocolate and hitting the bag of Cheese Doodles, these athletes are hitting the slopes, tearing up the ice, or even participating in team sports that many people are unaware even exists—such as curling, a team sport that is a similar equivalent to bocce ball on ice. If you think I’m lying, check it out yourself; believe it or not, this is a winter OLYMPIC sport!

With so many winter sports to choose from, being slothful due to inclement weather is not only a bad excuse, but is really a shame! With so many activities to choose from, pick one up, and we guarantee that you too, will be waiting for winter time. Of course, there is snowboarding and skiing. There are many different forms of each though; you can due cross country skiing which is long distance skiing on a flatter surface along a trail, or downhill skiing, which is just what it sounds like, skiing down slopes, hills, or even mountainsides for those more advanced. For professional skiers and snowboarders, wide arrays of activities are available, including ‘vert’ ramps, jumps, trick moves, and halfpipes! If you haven’t had a chance to check out the Winter X Games on ESPN, you’re in for a real treat. These are extreme athletes that do some things you never would have imagined possible on skis, snowboards, and even snowmobiles!

For a more family oriented fun time (that can also double as a workout), head over to a local ice rink and do some ice skating. Ice skating is like riding a bike, it may take a few minutes to get comfortable and gain your balance, but once you do, it’s something that you can take with you for the rest of your life. For those more advanced, there is figure skating, which you can either do alone, or with a partner. This is synchronized skate-dancing, and is a very, very elegant and beautiful activity. For the tougher people out there, along with the extreme thrill seekers, pick up some skates, grab a stick, and play some hockey! This is definitely not for everyone, but for those who enjoy a tough, physical sport, this may just be perfect for you. All you football players out there, if you think you are tough, try this one out!  

Whether you are looking for a new hobby, a fun activity to pass the ‘dead-time’ in the winter, a great new workout, or a way to get out of the house and break the glum slump the winter can cause sometimes, there are great activities for those of all ages! So get off your couch, but down the chips, and get out there and try something new and exciting that will also benefit you!

Stay cold this winter,

Your friends at Phix