Active Aging
Staying physically active throughout the year, even when it’s cold outside, is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
If you live in a warm winter weather state, there are fewer weather-related hazards to consider. If you live in a cold-weather climate, always bundle up and avoid icy areas that might put you at risk of falling or hurting yourself. No matter where you live, you should always follow your doctor’s advice regarding any physical limitations for any type of activity.
If you need some inspiration, try these cold-weather activities that don’t require skis, broken down by geographic region.
Southern U.S.
If you live in the southern U.S., you’ll enjoy mild weather and very little snow. So, get out and enjoy the balmy breeze and try some of these.
Walking or Hiking in National Parks
From the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, there are so many beautiful National Parks in the South to explore. You’ll also see beautiful natural sights like Smoky Mountain splendor and the dazzling World Heritage Site, Mammoth Cave.
Treasure Hunting on the Beach
If you’re lucky enough to enjoy warm winter and spring weather in a Southern coastal city, there’s nothing more invigorating than strolling along a sandy shore, watching the waves roll in. While you’re at it, who knows what “treasures” you can find with a metal detector or just collecting a pretty array of shells.
Playing Pickleball
Pickleball is all the rage — for players of all ages! The nice thing about it is that it is a low-impact sport, which reduces joint strain, and you can play outdoors in nearly any kind of weather. It also provides social interaction and offers a cognitive workout as you focus and strategize to play the game.
Northeastern and Midwestern U.S.
The Northeast and Midwest see a fair share of mighty blizzards throughout winter and spring. If you live here, you don’t ever want to compromise safety in a snowstorm or take a risk of slipping and falling. That said, here are some unconventional ways to have outdoor late-winter/early-spring fun.
Snowshoeing is an excellent low-impact exercise. If you’re an active ager looking for a workout that involves upper- and lower-body movement (it includes poles!), try snowshoeing. You can move at your own pace. So, if you want to stop for some photo opps with friends or to appreciate scenery or enjoy a snack, it’s all up to you.
Enjoy a Winter Lantern Stroll or Festival
Charming Midwestern and Northeastern towns are known for breathtaking winter and spring beauty, a strong sense of community, and a penchant for throwing a winter-themed festival.
AAA calls out several Northeast festivals as some of the best. And there isn’t anything more magical than a lantern-lit outdoor stroll on a cool evening, and the Midwestern mitten state — Michigan — has many to enjoy!
Learn Ice Carving
If you’re artistic — or if you just want to learn an interesting new skill (which is great for brain health) — consider taking an ice carving class. Doing a Google search for ice carving classes near you should turn up some options.
The American Culinary Federation Cleveland Chapter, Inc. is one Midwest example that runs the Ice Carving Club to “keep the art and craft of ice carving alive.” Then, you can consider showing off your creation at an ice festival for prizes!
Western U.S.
Western states offer a mix of warm and cold weather states, from Colorado, Idaho, and Montana, seeing huge annual snowfall, to sunny Arizona and Southern California.
Dogsledding
Riders of all ages can experience fresh air while taking in gorgeous scenery — like Colorado’s lush backcountry — while dogsledding. Professional guides can lead you, and you can also enjoy riding in a small passenger sleigh, as well as interacting with some furry Siberian huskies.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching is a wonderful year-round activity, but there are lots of great birding spots to check out in California. The Point Reyes National Seashore and Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, are two accessible coastal birdwatching locations that boast hundreds of species of shorebirds and waterfowl to behold.
Doing a Sensory Scavenger Hunt
You can do this in a warm or cold-weather Western state or town, at a park, your own backyard, your neighborhood, the beach, or wherever you’d like.
Gather a group of friends and do a sensory scavenger hunt and find sounds (birds, the ocean, rustling leaves, crunching snow), smells (pine trees, specific flowers), touch (tree bark, smooth ice), taste (sno-cone, roasted chestnuts), sight (snowman, pinecones, winter scarf, seashell). This is a fantastic way to get physical and mental exercise and make new memories with loved ones.
Doing any of these activities will help you beat the winter blues, enjoy the outdoors, and most importantly, have fun!
