Introduction

 

When the view outside looks to be covered in a soft blanket of snow.  Don’t act like the landscape and hide under the nice warm blankets safe from the frost outside. The following blog posts are filled with ideas old and new to use to stay warm and active during these cold winter months.

If you would rather stay inside and bask in front of the fireplace the latter posts provide ideas on a number of indoor activities to enjoy during the winter months. Friends and family can make the dreary months fly by.

If a snowfall overnight ruins your next morning look for some ways to treasure it instead. Exploring new active hobbies during the winter months is a must to chase away the winter blues.

Embrace the Cold: Snowshoeing in Victoria Park

Nestled in the midst of the bustling town of Truro there is a serene wilderness waiting to be explored.  If you enjoy hiking during the warmer times of year snowshoeing may be the perfect winter hobby for you to try. The town of Truro encourages everyone to discover Victoria Park in the winter. Available for loan from the town is the winter gear to discover your inner adventurer. Choices include snowshoes and cross country skis. During the Long John festival in February guided tours are provided all day long on Sunday.

 

As long as your shoes are buckled tightly snowshoeing is not very different from walking or hiking. Some people find they need to adjust to walking with a wider stance to avoid stepping on their own shoes.

With snowshoes securely attached to your feet it is time to see the magical forest in Victoria Park.

Enjoy your adventuring! Remember to always hike with a buddy or small group of friends and always carry a map and compass.

Skating

In Canada skating is considered a national pastime. People of all ages enjoy skating for many different reasons. Yearly an outdoor rink is created beside the Tourist Bureau in Victoria Square. Some winters are better than others for outdoor rinks and ponds. However, there are also plenty of indoor skating arenas in the Colchester area that offer family skate times for a reasonable price.

 I have found that Canadian families make sure to expose their young children to ice skating as soon as possible. I remember learning to play hockey when I was less than 5 years old. There is something that draws Canadians to ice ponds in the winter. Some families even build their very own outdoor rinks in their back yards. I have seen a few of these in Bible Hill. Often, neighbor kids will be playing a game of ice hockey in the backyard rink.

You are never too old to learn to skate! The local skating arenas offer learn-to-skate programs for adults as well as children. These rinks also offer open skate times on weekday afternoons and weekends. I highly recommend trying skating at any age as you can always continue to improve your skill level.

Horseback Riding

If the wind is not too cold it can be a lot of fun to enjoy a trail ride in the snow or even just a jaunt through the pasture. There are a number of riding and boarding facilities in the Colchester area, few I have discovered offer lessons. Horses produce a lot of body heat so just being near them can help you warm up.However, if the wind is cutting through all of your layers today it may be best to stay inside. If you can find a barn that possesses an indoor riding arena it is the best choice for winter riding. Though the barns are still cold you are out of the biting wind. 





 

Once riding it does not take long to warm up. Depending on your skill level and previous experience, instructors will create a lesson plan based on your ability. Flat work (not jumping) is my personal favourite as you can consistently feel yourself working with your horse. I also find you warm up fastest moving on the flat.

If you have the flat work skills, you might wish to try jumping. Jumping on horseback is an experience that is difficult to describe. The togetherness of flat work is combined with both horse and rider’s skill and confidence.

Break the Ice

When the wind and cold do not seem to want to quit, it may be difficult to be outside. The following are some ideas to try that involve staying warm indoors.

With icicles collecting on the eves it may be nice to just stay home. There are a number of things that you could do at home, be it a family movie or games night. Try to forget about the temperatures outside. The warmth provided by the happiness of family and friends keeps the frost away the best.

A good way to melt away your thoughts of ice and snow is to relax with a book by the fire.

After adventuring in the snow perhaps the best thing to warm up from the cold is a mug of hot cocoa. When topped with whip cream or marshmallows it makes for a special treat.

Ruminant Animal Centre

Cuddle up with some animal friends. The Nova Scotia Agricultural College campus houses a number of animals in the Ruminant Animal Centre. If you are an animal lover or would just like to see the facilities it makes for a nice visit. The barn is open during weekday business hours.

Come relax with these cool cows. Ruminants (cows and sheep) have complex stomachs. The rumen is the largest chamber in their stomach. In this chamber microbial fermentation takes place. This microbial activity creates a lot of heat. Cows are comfortable at a room temperature of ~4°C. However, the barn will not be cold during your visit with the amount of heat these girls put off.

If the heat produced by the cows was not enough to warm you up. A visit to the sheep wing is sure to warm your heart. February and March is the most common time for the ewes to begin lambing. If your visit to the barn is timed right the shepherd may let you bottle feed an orphan. If not, you will be sure to see lambs frolicking about to avoid the shivers.

NSAC Campus Sports

If outdoor sports are not your thing indoor sports might be more of your taste. The Langille Athletic Centre offers a number of fitness programs for its members. 

Beginning this year in January two, six week yoga programs have been put in place. This allows for members to try out yoga instructors of different styles. The two instructors so far have had very different styles but both have been enjoyable.

Also available is Zumba. Which has been a popular exercise class for women. It is so much fun that getting a workout is just a bonus. This is a definite way to heat up on a cold day!

It is a given that just about any night of the week if you stop by the Athletic Centre there will be a pickup game of basketball taking place. This is not only a great way to warm up but also a way to meet new people and forget about the weather outside.

Defrost in the Scotia pool. The Scotia pool offers a number of lane swim times as well as Aqua-fit belt classes. The NSAC water polo club-team practices Tuesday and Thursday nights. Non-students are welcome to the practices for a drop in fee of $5.

Conclusion: Beat the Blues

Winter can sometimes seem overwhelming. The tall snow banks on the roadsides or the groaning trees under the weight of the snow. Whichever way you see our winter season I believe there are two ways to tackle it.
Embrace the season and all the weather it brings with. Find ways to take advantage of the snow. It is often only here for three to four months of the year. 

If winter weather does not get you excited to explore the outdoors, forget about the frost and wind outside by keeping busy indoors. Active sports at the gym or entertaining at your home all are ways to fight the winter blues everyone gets during this time of year.