Oh the weather outside’s delightful!

With the snow falling and the temperatures dropping, we are constantly reminded that there’s a lot of winter ahead of us. With that knowledge, we all have a choice to make – hide out and wait for it to end or embrace it. My vote – embrace it! It might be difficult, especially when that wind starts to howl, but winter can be a wonderful time, we just have to find activities that bring us joy. Whether you are willing to brave the cold or not, there are numerous activities around the city (and province) that you can explore.

Many such activities can be found right here on campus.

Explore Winter Activities on Campus

Recreation Services at the University of Manitoba has fantastic options to keep you moving:

• Group Fitness Classes: From yoga to strength training, group fitness classes are a fun and energizing way to stay active. These classes are included for students and members at both Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses.
• Casual Recreation: Drop by to enjoy badminton, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, racquet sports, or even a walk around the track also included for students and members.
• Recreation Clubs & Intramurals: Join a rec club or play intramurals to meet new people while having fun. Registration opens January 2nd at noon.
• Climbing Courses & Adult Programs: Explore exciting opportunities like dance classes, martial arts, and group personal training programs. Registration is now open.
• Group & Personal Training: Looking to improve your health, check out options that are the perfect FIT for you. Registration is now open.  
• Open Climb Time: Perfect for those who enjoy a physical and mental challenge on the climbing wall! Check out more information on climbing.

Pro Tip: Free Trial. Students and members can access adult programs, rec clubs, and open climb time before the winter programs officially kick off. Don’t miss out—Registration opens January 1. For all Recreation Services information visit our website.

Stay Tuned for UM Winter Active

Mark your calendars! For outdoor fun, UM Winter Active runs from February 10–14 and offers a variety of activities designed to keep you moving and having fun. Whether you’re trying a new activity or walking with your friends around campus, there’s something for everyone.

Explore Winnipeg

The Tourism Winnipeg website has a long list of winter activities – some of these are still in the works for this winter (and some are weather dependent) but it is definitely a good place to keep an eye on. The activities include everything from River Trail adventures at the Forks to locations for skiing, snowshoeing and sledding.

The Forks is a common place for winter fun – both indoor and outdoor – but there are numerous other locations around Winnipeg with opportunities for both more structured and unstructured activities. The Windsor Park Nordic Centre has 15km of cross-country ski trails suitable for all levels and they offer rentals for those who need. Fort Whyte Alive has beautiful trails suitable for walking or snowshoeing with chances to see snow-covered Bison. They also host a variety of activities and events throughout the season so keep an eye on their calendar! And there is, of course, Festival du Voyageur in February, which features live music, activities and delicious food.

If you prefer to enjoy the winter from inside, there are lots of options for that as well. For one, you can catch a Manitoba Moose or Winnipeg Jets hockey game at the Canada Life Centre. Besides all the outdoor action, The Forks is also a lovely place to wander around inside and grab a warm drink or a bite to eat. There, you can find an extensive antique shop, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (admission is free on Sundays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.!) and an arcade, among other attractions. Not far from there, you can also find the Manitoba Museum (the first Friday of every month from 4 – 9 p.m. is free!), the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Winnipeg Art Gallery (entry is free the second Sunday of every month!) and the Centennial Concert Hall (check out the student subscription deal for the Manitoba Opera!).

However you choose to spend your free time this winter, we hope that you will find a way to thrive!

Mikala Epp, Student Writer, Student Affairs