A recent ski trip to Mt. Tremblant reinvigorated our love of winter, inspiring us to bundle up without complaint and seek out winter fun in the city. While many grown ups wish for spring with the first snowflake, for our kids, winter is paradise. What kid doesn’t get giddy at the idea of outdoor snow fort building, skating, tobogganing and snowball fights? So let’s stop eschewing winter, and embrace it instead. Here are a few outdoor winter activities for oodles of family fun:
Snowshoeing: There are so many benefits to snowshoeing, including heart-pumping cardio, low cost and how easy it is to do: if you can walk, you can snowshoe! Torontonians can head to High Park (you can also join their ski club) for some inner-city snowshoeing fun, or visit the Humber Arboretum, which also rents snowshoes. There are plenty of trails a short drive from Toronto, which are perfect for snowshoeing. You can find local trails here.
Cross-Country Skiing: Like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing can be done right in your own backyard, although it certainly requires a little more coordination and equipment! Families looking for great exercise and outdoor beauty will find ideal cross-country skiing trails just outside the city, with plenty of difficulty levels including beginner trails.
Downhill Skiing: For those looking for more speed on the snow, there are two downhill ski hills located right in Toronto – Centennial Park and Earl Bales Park. Both offer ski and snowboard schools, equipment rentals, and night skiing. We’re going to try them out soon, since our 2.5-year old toddler took to Tremblant’s bunny hill like a natural!
Skating: Toronto families are lucky to have multiple outdoor, and indoor, rinks to enjoy all winter long. Harbourfront’s Natrel Rink is free, has onsite rentals and change rooms, and offers lessons. Right beside the larger rink is the Natrel Kinder Rink, which is ideal for little ones learning to skate, and can be booked for private events. The outdoor rink at Nathan Phillips Square is always packed, but is perfect for a family skate before heading to the Eaton Centre for some afternoon shopping and hot chocolate.
Tobogganing: The beauty of tobogganing is you can literally do it anywhere there’s a snowy hill – all you need is a sled and some speed-happy kids. There are lots of great tobogganing hills scattered throughout T.O. neighbourhoods, like those at Trinity Bellwoods Park, Christie Pits, Withrow Park, Riverdale Park, Crestview Park, and Lithuania Park.