Best Winter Activities for Seniors

What are your favorite winter activities? Do you enjoy a swim in a warm, lap pool? Hot yoga? Here in Arizona, it’s not so much of a problem, but outdoor activities are a challenge for seniors living where temperatures are unusually cold and snowy.

Here’s a wild idea, if you want to be invigorated by a winter training course, visit the one at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Temperatures regularly drop to -20 F (or below!) for weeks at a time—not my idea of a good time! But, I admire cold-weather seniors for their tenacity, and I’m passing on their secret to staying warm: don’t get cold!

No matter what the climate is, exercise and fresh air are crucial for your body. As I wrote in a previous post, preparation is key. This includes hydrating, dressing in layers, and warming-up.

Timing is Everything

When it comes to winter activities for seniors, timing is everything. In severe winter weather, plan to be outdoors when the temperature is highest. This is often mid-afternoon, when the roads are also more likely to be clear, and safer.

Best Winter Activities

• Walk, jog, or run. When you’re properly geared and warmed up, winter walking or running is a great winter activity. As I wrote in previous posts, dress in layers. Another tip: check out crampons. These fit to almost every shoe or boot, and are great on snow and ice. This is especially important for seniors who are at greater risk for falls and fractures.
• Ski cross-country: Burn a ton of calories using your arms and legs, and many parks, forests and even golf-courses have groomed winter trails mapped for experience level.
• Ski downhill:  This activity works hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf, hip, abdominal muscles, and foot muscles. If you’re new to the sport, take a lesson, and work the equipment, hills and courses with your instructor.
• Snowboard: Similar to downhill skiing, snowboarding works the same muscle groups as skiing and increases calorie burn.
• Skate: Ice skating is a good low-impact activity, but Third and Fourth Generations beware: falling is dangerous and landing can cause loads of trauma. The same goes for ice hockey―leave this sport to the youth.
• Fatbike: A new option is winter biking with fat-tire bikes, or fatbiking. These bikes are designed for use in snow and sand, and can also be used on pavement, mountain biking trails, mud, or desert terrains. In several US states, fatbike-dedicated groomed winter trails have been created. I can see why the popularity of the fatbike is growing, and how this might soon top the charts of the best winter activities for seniors.

What about you? Are your favorite winter activities on this list? What new activity would you like to try? I’d love to hear from you!