By: Aliana Romo

Winter is often seen as long and boring for many people, although there’s many things to do during the winter that can make it pass more quickly. Since I live in Minnesota, the winters can start from November and last until March, which is a long time to be inside since it’s cold and snowy. I used to dread going out into the snow until I learned how to enjoy it. These winter activities can make the winter season go by much quicker.

My personal favorite activity to do in the winter is to go skiing or snowboarding; it’s a perfect way to get together with family and friends to enjoy time outside. In Minnesota there’s ski resorts such as Afton Alps and Buck Hill that offer amazing views and many different hills for different skill levels. Skiing and snowboarding allows for you to be outside and enjoy the weather instead of staying inside and praying for it to be sunny again. It also helps the winters to go by faster since you can progress at it, over the winter you can get better and better each year, to have something to look forward to.

Another way to get out of the house during winter is by going ice skating. Ice skating is a classic and well known activity to do during the winter since it can be taught easily. It’s a perfect family activity and something to do with friends. Me and my friends like to go ice skating together and then get pizza, ice cream and hangout.

One way to spend time besides skiing and ice skating is to go sledding or snow tubing. Unlike skiing and ice skating, going sledding doesn’t take much money or effort. As long as you use a nice hill and a sled, it can be one of the funnest winter activities there is. I have many memories from when I was younger of going sledding with family and friends while having hot cocoa breaks and sitting by a campfire. Snow tubing is mainly similar to sledding, although it includes going down a much bigger hill and instead of on a sled, it’s a tube. This creates a more fun and exciting experience of sledding.

Playing in the snow is also a simple way to be outside, and enjoy the weather. This can differ from building a snowman, to snowball fights or overall just enjoying the snow. Many times after my family and I would get done shoveling the snow we would begin playing in the snow together. It’s a great way to experience the snow and spend simple time with loved ones.

Being able to get outside during the winter is mainly how winters will be able to go by quickly. Staying indoors for way too long can drastically change how you feel. For me personally, I feel much happier in the summer than I do in the winter, this is because I spend much more time outside in the summer than I do when it gets cold. Once it gets cold it seems unnecessary to be outside. This goes to show that instead of hating the winter and snow, it’s better to enjoy it and make the best of it, since being outside is important for mental and physical health. Overall, it’s best to spend these winter activities with loved ones to get together with people, make memories and create the best winter possible.