Beat The Winter Blues: Stay Active With Outdoor Activities In Cold Weather

Here in the depth of winter, there is a mindset among some, me included, that we should follow the example of the bears and find a nice warm cave where we can hibernate. As inviting as that may sound, being active in the wintertime provides several benefits to us. 

Dave Heaton, Public Information Officer for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department was on the Ounce Of Prevention program this morning and had some great advice. 

“Our last magazine, Health magazine, that was sent out, had an article, the very first one about how there's a Scandinavian culture of being active in winter, where really the weather doesn't stop them. It's just a matter of dressing appropriately for the weather and ways to stay active and for them, it's not hard where some of the countries in Scandinavia, there's a lot of wintery months where it's cold and darker a lot of the time and snowy,” Heaton said. 

So what kinds of things can we be doing in winter? Heaton suggests, “whether it's just walking or getting outside and doing things that are adapted to winter like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, things along those lines. But a lot of people are fans of downhill skiing. And of course, we have the Brian Head ski resort close by and a lot of people enjoy that. But if you're looking at something that maybe (is) a little bit cheaper and it's more has more exercise to it, then there's the cross country skiing option and snowshoeing.”

And you won’t have to go far if you choose the cross country skiing or snowshoeing options. Each winter, Cedar Breaks National Monument offers beginner-friendly Guided Snowshoe Tours to help people with the natural beauty found within the park. Participants will hike 1-mile roundtrip through snowy terrain, learning from rangers as they stop along the way to share information about the Monument.

The equipment, including snowshoes and a pair of ski poles, are available to all participants at no cost. There is no fee for joining a Guided Snowshoe Tour, however, there is an entrance fee to visit the park. Each individual over the age of 16 years old will be required to pay an entrance fee of $10. Alternatively, Interagency Annual Passes, also called America the Beautiful Pass, will waive the per-person fee of visitors traveling together in a single vehicle. 

And don’t think you will be alone as you engage in winter activity. Dave told us about the Cedar Mountain Nordic Ski Club.

 “It's the registered nonprofit organization that promotes cross country skiing and snowshoeing in this general area, there's people all over. In the five counties that are part of this group. And you can actually look them up on Facebook,” Heaton said. In addition to their Facebook page, the organization also has a webpage where you can get more information on how they help in promoting winter activity.

If you go up to the Deer Hollow Winter Recreation Area, you’ll find a plowed parking lot at the start of the trail facility, and there is a restroom facility there, also. And don’t worry about competing with snowmobile recreationists. The Deer Hollow Winter Recreation Area is strictly for non-motorized activities. 

As with any exercise routine, Heaton says there are some precautions you should take before beginning. “Check with your doctor and to ease into anything like that to make sure that you pace yourself. (You’ve) got to get used to that. That would be of course, recommendations for starting any new exercise or fitness program,” Heaton concluded. 

If you missed the Ounce of Prevention program from this morning, you can listen to it below.