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Winter fun
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Active Living
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Don’t use winter as an excuse to hibernate. Staying active through cold and snow can be a breeze, if you find activities to enjoy with your family. Here are five we love
By Janice Biehn
 According to a study sponsored by the U.S. National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, winter can tend to lead to packing on an extra 1-2 kg. It seems our cold climate, coupled with the popular tendency to take it easy indoors when the mercury drops, curses many of us to a layer of winter fat. Don’t wait until the warmer weather to spring into action. Keep fit while having fun with your family with one of these five snow-loving sports
SKATING/SHINNY HOCKEY
For Oliver Tardivo of Toronto, winter means playing shinny – an informal
game of hockey without full equipment, just sticks, gloves and helmets, and a puck
of course. “Nothing defines being Canadian better than an outdoor game of shinny,” says the father of Justin, 20, Stephanie, 17 and Melanie, 12. “For three years we played pretty
regularly. They’ve also gotten a lot better at hockey, thanks to those Friday nights.”
Equipment needed
• Hockey sticks, gloves, skates
• Many municipalities require helmets for young children. It’s a smart idea regardless of the rink’s policy
• Layered clothing
Estimated cost
• Admission at community rinks ranges from free to a few dollars
• Many rinks have inexpensive skate rentals, or you can buy used skates for under $50
• Helmets cost about $40 new
Health benefits
• Works inner thigh muscles, hamstrings and glutes
• Improves lower back strength
• Cardio workout
Burns about 415 to 600 calories per hour (based on adults weighing 130-190 lbs)
DOWNHILL SKIING
If skiing doesn’t invigorate you, the scenery certainly will, especially
if you try it in Canada’s winter playground, Banff, Alberta. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Banff offers three mountain resorts and excellent snow conditions, making it
ideal for families with novice skiers. “At Sunshine Village,” says Annie Yoja, who works in the resort’s marketing department, “we get so much snow we hardly ever have to make
it.” Real snow means very little ice. For my daughters, Katie, 11, and Gabbie, 9, a chance to ski without having to navigate the ice was a real confidence builder. TIP: Mid-week skiing is ideal for families, says Sunshine Village instructor Terry Gray. “There are no crowds, so less experienced skiers have lots of room to move.”
Equipment needed
> Skis, poles, boots and bindings
> Snow suit, waterproof gloves
> Helmet
Estimated cost
> Typical gear rental is $30/day
> New skis cost $250 and up; a full set of used gear costs as little as $100-$200
> Ski lift tickets average $40 to $60 a day
Health benefits
> Cardio workout
> Improves strength, coordination, flexibility
> Works abdominal muscles, legs, especially hamstrings and quadriceps
Burns about 295 to 430 calories per hour (based on adults weighing 130-190 lbs)
SNOWSHOEING
One of the world’s oldest modes of transportation, snowshoeing is making a humble comeback as a winter activity. According to SnowSports Industries America (SIA), snowshoeing participation grew 15 percent between 2006 and 2008. But for Frank Cleyson, his wife Freda and 8-year old son Jacob, snowshoeing is anything but
a fad. Cleyson began snowshoeing about 15 years ago when he lived in Goose Bay, Nfld,
where “it was part of our life. We used to have a Samoyed dog and he used to carry our
food and thermos in little saddlebags we had made for him.” With the move to Halifax and accommodating his son, the family treks are somewhat shorter. “We live on a lake, so we try to get out twice a week.”
Equipment needed
> Snowshoes (“Start off with snowshoes that are for recreational use,” says Cleyson.
“They are narrower than traditional ones and are easier to manoeuvre around with.”)
> Windproof winter wear
> Poles (optional)
Estimated cost
• Today’s high-tech, lightweight snowshoes cost $100 to $350 per pair
• Some winter resorts offer rentals from about $15/day
• Trail access is usually free of charge
Health benefits
• Combines aerobic exercise with strength training and endurance
Burns about 250 to 630 calories per hour (based on adults weighing 130-190 lbs)
SNOWBOARDING
Ski hills have become home to snowboarders with increasing frequency
in the last 15 years. Though it can be harder to master than downhill skiing, enthusiasts
say once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to skis. In fact, according to the Canadian Ski Council, almost one million Canadians over age 12 choose snowboarding over skiing, and the number is increasing each year. Toronto mother Kristi Heath, a skier since high school, tried snowboarding this year with her two kids, whom she felt needed more exercise. “I was terrified of breaking a bone or looking stupid, but my kids were really excited,” she says. Her boys, Grady, 7, and Jackson, 10, learned quickly – by the end of the first day the whole family could get down the hill. “It was so much fun!” she says, adding she plans to continue with more instruction.
Equipment needed
> Snowboard, bindings and boots
> Layers of winter active wear (board pants, snowboard jacket)
> Helmet
Estimated cost
> Gear can be rented for $40/day
> New snowboards start at $200 and go up; used boards can start from $100
> Lift tickets average $40 to $60 a day
Health benefits
> Uses a variety of muscles including feet, calves, hamstrings and quadriceps
> Uses abdominal muscles
Burns about 475 to 690 calories per hour (based on adults weighing 130-190 lbs)
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
For Heather Douglas of Almonte, Ontario, fresh snow means fresh trails and she and her family are out the door. “We’ll go out for an hour and a half or even longer,” says the mother of Amelia, 16, Stuart, 13 and Jill, 10. She and her husband Ian have
been enjoying the sport for about 20 years, but their children really enjoy it as well, with
Stuart competing on his school’s team. “It feels good, and the scenery is gorgeous. I hate being cold and when you’re skiing, you never get cold. There are no line-ups, and it’s usually free.” Experts also advise warming up by starting out slowly.
Equipment needed
> Cross-country skis, poles, boots
> Lightweight winter wear
Estimated cost
> Skis, boots, bindings and poles cost slightly less than downhill; about $20/day
to rent a set
> A set of used skis, boots, bindings and poles cost can be found for under $100
> Trail fees usually range from free up to $35/day for a family of four
Health benefits
> Low-risk, low-impact
> Uses natural movements, resulting in a very short learning curve
> Excellent cardiovascular exercise
Burns about 415 to 600 calories per hour (based on adults weighing 130-190 lbs)
5 MORE WAYS TO GET ACTIVE IN THE SNOW
• build a snowman (or snow sculptures)
• make snow angels
• toboggan
• have a snow ball fight
• ditch the snowblower and just shovel
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