Sustainable Outdoor Winter Activities

Don’t head indoors just because the temperatures plummet and the daylight starts running short. There are many fun winter activities that make being sustainable easy and require little effort on your part. If you’re looking for some inspiration for sustainable outdoor winter activities then look no further. 

Getting outdoors and enjoying winter sports allows you to explore the most incredible snowy landscapes and appreciate nature, all while practicing sustainable living and having no environmental impact. Here are a few ideas of fun winter activities to get you out in the frosty air. 

Snowshoeing

Imagine yourself snowshoeing through a winter wonderland. Smooth and easy exercise in incredible silence and in a sustainable way. Is there anything better? You will get an even deeper sense of nature by snowshoeing to beautiful and untouched locations. But remember when visiting these unspoilt natural places to leave nothing behind but snowshoe prints. While partaking in these fun snow activities make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife, larger animals are easier to spot in the snow. 

Ski Touring 

Ski touring, otherwise known as cross country skiing, is a wonderful winter activity. This is one sustainable outdoor adventure you won’t soon forget. With the right gear, attitude, and planning, ski touring is a great opportunity for fresh air, exercise, and fun. To make these fun winter activities more sustainable try to be mindful of the landscape and vegetation around you while ski touring. And remember this is not the same as skiing at a resort because the environmental impact of downhill skiing is quite heavy. 

Winter Hiking

Although hiking may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sustainable outdoor winter activities, it is another great option. There are some truly magical winter hikes all around the world. Winter hiking is incredibly sustainable because you only leave footprints behind in the snow. You need to keep warm when doing any of these snow activities and another good eco-friendly practice is to pay attention to your gear. Eco friendly gear will keep you warm, as well as, help you to enjoy hiking even more sustainably. 

Watching The Northern Lights

Watching the Northern Lights is a bucket list item for many and a phenomenal example of fun winter activities. Also known as the aurora, this natural light display of the earth’s sky occurs predominantly in high-latitude regions. These beautiful auroras display patterns of brilliant lights that appear as rays and spirals that cover the entire night sky. To be more sustainable try to choose a tour that is provided by a local guide or tours that celebrate local cultures such as that of the Sami in northern Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. 

Ice Skating

Another great example of sustainable outdoor winter activities is Ice skating, the quintessential winter activity. If you want to feel like a kid again, strap on a pair of skates and head to your local pond or lake. Ice skating outdoors on frozen natural bodies of water makes this winter sport more eco friendly.  If that isn’t an option for you it’s also easy to find eco friendly ice skating rinks in your area. Look for rinks that use recycled water making them a bit more sustainable. 

Get out and enjoy the snowy landscape this winter and don’t let the temperatures get you down. These outdoor winter activities are effortlessly eco friendly and will provide you with a way to enjoy nature during the long winter months. Whether you choose to snowshoe or ski tour, enjoying nature in a winter wonderland is an unforgettable experience. These sustainable outdoor winter activities will leave a lasting impression on you. 

Would you like to know more about eco-friendly travel?
To receive inspiration direct to your email inbox, please click here and subscribe to the Ecotourism World newsletter!