Skating. Ice skates were invented nearly five thousand years ago by the ancestors of the Finnish people. Skates were made from the leg bones of animals and they enabled the Finnish to thrive in their stark environment. Nowadays, ice skating is a fun pastime and Canada is sprinkled with both indoor and outdoor rinks. A frozen lake can also serve as a beautiful alternative, though one must be aware of the dangers. Even if you've never tried on skates before, skating is like learning to ride a bike - after a few careful bumpy afternoons you'll have it down.
Build a Snowman. A fun activity for children, but you do need the right type of snow. If the snow is powdery and loose, making a snowman can be nearly impossible. The best material is wet, clumpy snow; if you pack it in your hand and it stays together, you're in luck. The first step is to roll this packed snow along the ground. It'll start to grow immediately, assuming you have enough of the source. Three of these oversized snowballs make a snowman and with a carrot for a nose and rocks or buttons for eyes, you've got a traditional snowman. Variations, of course, are limited only by the imagination.
Sledding. Another activity that children will enjoy. Sledding is the winter equivalent of a playground slide; you need only a hill and a sled of some sort. For safety reasons children should wear helmets and studies have shown that the safest type of vehicle has runners and a steering mechanism. Other vehicles are widely available: Krazy Karpets, snow disks, and toboggans - but they aren't quite as safe. Both children and adults should be wearing several layers of wind and water-resistant clothing. One should also be careful when choosing a hill - sledding can be dangerous if not well thought-out. Once everything's ready and you've found a safe slope, it's quite exhilarating.
Skiing. In many ways this is the adult version of sledding, but be warned - beginners should be very careful. Skiing involves two long strips of wood that are strapped to each foot and two poles that one uses to guide their way through the snow. Movement is accomplished through flexing the knee and the hills are many times the size of sledding hills. Skiing is potentially more thrilling than any of the preceding three activities - but if you’ve never tried it, then it is best to start with some instruction from friends or professionals.
Winter Sport Safety Tips: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/cons/winter-hiver-eng.php
