Winter Activities to Try: A Guide to Making the Season Unforgettable
Winter is here, weaving a silent, sparkling spell over the world. While the short days and frosty air might tempt you to hibernate, this season holds a secret key to joy, adventure, and rejuvenation. Feeling a touch of the winter blues or simply unsure how to fill those long, cozy evenings? You’re not alone. This is your curated guide to turning the New Year holidays into a treasure trove of memories. Let’s move beyond mere pastimes and discover activities that will warm your soul, challenge your body and spark laughter that echoes into the spring. Get ready to start the year with an exciting experience.
1. Skiing
We all know that skiing can be really intimidating. I used to dread it: the clunky boots, the fear of a clumsy tumble and the feeling of being the slowest on the hill. But last winter, being in a bad mood, I gave it another chance, and it was a profound game-changer! Skiing is so much more than a sport, it's a moving meditation. You focus on the rhythm of your turns, the whisper of snow under your skis and the breathtaking winter panorama.
The benefits are incredible. It’s a powerhouse workout for your core and legs, doing wonders for your posture as you constantly engage those stabilizing muscles. You’ll feel it the next day in the best way possible: a satisfying ache that speaks of strength gained. Mentally, it forces you into the present moment, calming frazzled nerves and flushing your system with endorphins. You finish a day on the mountain feeling physically spent but mentally luminous, happy not because you were perfect, but because you were fully alive.
My Pro Tip: For a spectacular experience, consider the world-class resorts of Krasnaya Polyana. Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains, it offers pristine slopes and stunning views that rival the Alps. Just remember that for any outdoor winter activity, ensure the temperature is no lower than -15°C to protect your body from extreme stress and keep the fun safely intact.
2. Ice-Skating
There is a timeless, fairy-tale quality to ice-skating. Whether it’s under open sky or within a glittering pavilion, the glide of a blade on ice is pure poetry in motion. Don’t own skates? No problem! Most rinks offer affordable rentals. My essential advice: pack an extra pair of thick, warm socks for comfort and insulation against the cold.
To maximize the magic, always book your tickets online in advance. This simple step saves you from standing in dispiriting queues in the freezing air, turning potential hassle into instant delight.
My Personal Top 3 Moscow Rinks:
VDNKh: the biggest one in Moscow, vast, historic and beautifully illuminated, it feels like skating through a grand, open-air palace.
Sokolniki Park: a more natural, park-like setting with a relaxed vibe, perfect for a leisurely skate surrounded by snow-dusted pines.
Red Square: the iconic, unbeatable atmosphere is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Be warned, the queues are legendary, so advanced planning is an absolute must!
Again, heed the -15°C rule for your health and comfort. When it’s colder, the ice becomes brittle, and the risk of frostbite increases.
3. Cooking with Friends
Who says the festive kitchen magic must end on January 1st? Rekindle the spark by inviting your closest friends for a creative cooking night. My highlight from last year? Building a gingerbread house! You can buy a kit with pre-baked pieces and icing “glue” or for a truly memorable and hilarious challenge, make everything from scratch. The real joy is in the decoration, so arm yourselves with sprinkles, gummy bears, chocolate chips and let your imaginations run wild!
Beyond the house, fill your home with the scent of happiness by baking chocolate chip cookies or simmering a rich, spiced hot cocoa on the stove. Feeling adventurous? Dive into classic Russian sweet delight like the no-bake “Kartoshka””. The true recipe, however, is for connection: you laugh, you share stories, and you create funny memories that you’ll fondly recall for the entire year.
4. Reading
Reading transforms in winter. Curled under a soft blanket with a steaming mug of tea, it becomes the ultimate act of coziness and makes it a true game-changer for your well-being. The New Year vacation is a perfect time to commit to this habit, whether you pledge to read a specific number of books or simply to carve out more quiet time for stories.
My best purchase last year was a subscription to a major e-book service. While I remain a devoted fan of paper books since nothing compares to the tactile aesthetics and the smell of the pages, the subscription saved me a fortune. It offers access to thousands of titles and the psychological freedom is incredible. If you abandon a book, it doesn’t sit on your shelf, guilt-tripping you about its price. The convenience is unparalleled. Moreover, my entire library travels with me on my phone or tablet, ensuring a great story is always at hand, be it on a long train journey or in a cozy cabin.
5. Knitting or Crocheting
Why not begin the year by literally weaving something new into your life? Taking up knitting or crocheting is a wonderfully mindful and productive hobby. The repetitive motions are meditative, reducing stress and giving your hands a break from screens. The reward is tangible and practical: you can craft a cozy scarf, a beanie or a blanket.
In a Russian winter it isn’t just a hobby, it’s a superpower! You can create beautiful, custom pieces that keep you warm, make heartfelt gifts for loved ones and even save money. Imagine stepping out into the frost, wrapped in a scarf you made yourself, it’s a unique and deeply satisfying kind of warmth.
6. Winter Train Journey
Embrace the romance of slow travel with a scenic winter train journey. Watching the world transform into a pristine, snow-blanketed wonderland from the comfort of a warm carriage is an unforgettable experience. Consider the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway for short, picturesque segments, or head to Karelia to visit Ruskeala which is a marble canyon turned into an ethereal, frozen park with ice waterfalls and illuminated trails. It’s travel not just as transportation, but as spectacle.
7. Snowball Fight
It’s far beyond just building a snowman or making a snow angel—this is a full-blown strategic game! I used to play this every winter as a kid, but it has no age restriction. So why not try it as an adult?
The more friends you involve, the more fun it becomes! Start by dividing into two teams. Here’s what you need to do: first, build your fortress out of snow. Make sure it is solid, thick, tall, and stable. To do this, create several giant snowballs and stack them close together in layers. This is much easier to do as a team, because as a snowball grows, it becomes very heavy. You can form a simple wall from the snowballs or add more to the left and right sides to make it stronger. You can even build a small lookout window in the fortress to keep an eye on your rivals but be careful, as a window that’s too large can weaken the whole structure.
While the fortress is being built, have someone on your team prepare snowballs for the battle. Store them near the wall or create a special storage niche. A personal recommendation: prepare as many snowballs as possible and make them in different sizes.
Discuss the rules in advance (for example, whether players can leave the fortress to attack from a closer position, or if everyone must stay in place). Clear rules help avoid misunderstandings, hurt feelings and unfair outcomes.
Once both teams agree they’re ready, the battle begins! Each side throws snowballs at the opponent's fortress, trying to break it down. The team whose fortress remains the least damaged by the end wins.
Crucial note: The ideal snow for this activity is slightly wet and sticky, and the temperature should be around 0°C to -5°C for the best construction and enjoyment.
Now, armed with this comprehensive list, you’re not just passing time this winter—you’re collecting moments, building joy, and actively crafting an unforgettable season. From the adrenaline rush of the slopes to the quiet click of knitting needles, each activity is an invitation to engage with the world in a new way. So, step out (or snuggle in), embrace the chill and fill your winter vacations with warmth, laughter, and adventure. Happy New Year and have a great winter! May it be your most exciting chapter yet, filled with the courage to try new things and the presence of mind to savor every beautiful, frosty moment.
Shared by
Ekaterina Voevoda
