The weather has been absolutely freezing lately! With temperatures dropping below minus 30, I know that going outside is the last thing we want to be doing. However, instead of holing up in your blankets all winter, here are some fun ideas for you to get out there and embrace the chilly snow! (We do have several more months of it.)
5. Winter Sports
Calgary has a lot to offer in this area, with skating rinks opening up both indoors and outdoors. Perfect grounds for snowboarding and skiing include WinSport Canada Olympic Park, Nakiska, or Sunshine Village. Many places offer lessons for beginners, and don’t feel shy about being the oldest one there. You can never be too old to try and learn something new (unless you’re at risk of busting a hip), and knowing how to ski or skate is a valuable skill when you live in Calgary.
4. Once Upon a Christmas
If you’re not really the sporty type, Heritage Park has a special event every winter called Once Upon a Christmas. Here, you can enjoy visits with Santa, take a look at the petting zoo, play snow games and snow-painting as well. Although it is geared towards kids, there’s no time like the present to rekindle your inner youth. One of my favourites is the Kid’s Only store, where nothing is over $20 and you can shop without any parents looking over your shoulder. Passes for youth are $13.00, up to and including 17-year-olds, so get going! If you aren’t into the whole scene, taking a stroll around Heritage Park is not a bad idea either.
3. Explore Downtown
Although it is cold, with the proper amount of clothing, taking a walk downtown isn’t so bad. Exploring the Plus 15 walkway is something that I’ve never done, but would love to try. Attractions in downtown are tight-knit with one another, so if you get cold, you’re never far away from a dainty bistro or family-run bakery to warm you up. Calgary is a very safe city. Our downtown area isn’t very dangerous, even at night. Fun places to go would be Stephen Avenue, Olympic Plaza, The Core and the Devonian Gardens, Chinatown, plus so much more. I would highly recommend getting to know the city. You may even end up finding some last-minute Christmas items.
2. Zoolights
Everyone loves the twinkling, sparkling lights that are associated with Christmas time, so why not immerse yourself in the dazzling lights at the zoo? Zoolights is available all December and is the perfect event to go to with your friends or to take a special date. Tickets are only $12 for a wonderful night of special features and performances. It’s all the cost of going to the zoo but with an added bonus.
1. Volunteer
December is about Christmas, and although as a society we’ve strayed, Christmas is a time for giving. There is no better present than your time. It really makes someone’s day when they know that you’ve taken the time out of yours for them. Inn From the Cold, Salvation Army, The Mustard Seed, and food banks all around Calgary are in constant need of help. A simple donation of an old jacket would do as well. The whole point is to think about those who are less fortunate, especially in this time of harsh weather. We might be warm, but many aren’t.
Get out there and have some fun. Life is too short to waste a moment.