Cool Kids, Family-Friendly Winter Recreation

So long swimsuits, it is time to bundle up. Is your back door area sporting coats, mud, and a glove missing its pair? No judgement, that just means you are outside enjoying what mother nature offers as we tilt our way toward winter solstice.

From a parent’s perspective, I’ve always felt like fall and winter require more prep work. I think the key is variety, so not every outing requires meticulous planning.

Film Festivals | Easy & Inspiring

Films showcasing the outdoors are a great way to pique interest in trying new activities and spark an adventurous spirit. Plus, theatres are warm.

Setting the tone for winter recreation, Warren Miller’s 75: A New Chapter at Gesa Power House Theatre on November 9 is sure to pump up everyone’s inner desire to shred the slopes. Next up, Calm Beneath Castles presented by Bluewood Alphine Racing Team (BART) and Ski Bluewood at Cordiner Hall on November 15 offers breathtaking scenery for a good cause with proceeds supporting the racing team. Kicking off the new year, the Whitman College Outdoor Program is hosting the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour at Cordiner Hall on January 29, highlighting adventures around the world.

In the season of giving thanks, I’m grateful for these opportunities to share such beautiful films with friends and family. I always leave feeling less inclined to succumb to winter blues and more motived to explore them!

Ice Ping Pong at Pioneer Park (Photo Credit: Gwen Dildine)Just in case ice ping pong becomes a sport in the next winter Olympics, we started training at Pioneer Park! There are so many ways to enjoy this park, especially through the seasons. Continue to visit parks in the winter and perhaps try out a snow sport or two while you’re at it.

Same Spots | New Experiences

Don’t underestimate our in-town recreation opportunities. Whitman Mission National Historic Site is gorgeous year-round but especially so on a moody fall morning. The stroll to the top of the hill boasts the best view of snow-capped Blue Mountains. The same is true of Bennington Lake. To up the family fun factor, bring bikes and ride the Mill Creek Recreation Trail to Rooks Park.

If trekking into the mountains on icy roads causes more anxiety than excitement, utilize our local parks when the snow graces the valley floor. There are advantages to teaching kids to snowshoe or cross-country ski close to home. Plus, the playground is a welcome back-up plan. Check out our Walking Paths section for more local ideas, including Big Trees and a few sculpture walks.

Andies Prairie Sno-Park (Photo Credit: Gwen Dildine)The Tenderfoot Trail is a relatively new addition to the Andies Prairie Sno-Park area. Adjacent to the parking area, this trail is perfect for new cross country skiers and snowshoe newbies. As all parents will appreciate, the vault toilet is never far away.

Mountain Memories | Go with the Snow

Alright, it is time to risk goosebumps. Key to enjoying the time and effort it takes to play in the snow is preparation. I typically lay out each person’s gear in a pile so I can visualize the layers and recognize if I forgot something when comparing the piles. Next, everyone puts their base layers on and potentially snow pants, keeping their coats with them. I put the reminder in a large tote to minimize scattering gear either at home or in the car.

Most of the time we bring the Jetboil to make a Mountain House meal, our favorite dehydrated food. It’s also fun to pack hot chocolate supplies, and absolutely necessary to bring a few of the Walla Walla Roastery’s single packs for instant coffee. Warming up our insides seems to provide the boost of energy needed to finish the day.

There are three areas I recommend going with kids. Ski Bluewood has dialed in teaching first-time skiers and snowboarders, as well as created a package deal that makes this process possible for parents. Both of my kids went through the EZ 1-2-3 program and emerged with a strong foundation of knowledge and the confidence to build upon those skills. Anecdotally, as my son and I were waiting for the lesson to start we tried the Easy Rider Lift area. I’m pretty sure we both cried. Magic Dave, as I refer to him, arrived and he kindly sent me on my way to ski alone. When I returned, I had a newfound skiing buddy and dry eyes.

The Tollgate, Oregon area is a winter wonderland of outdoor recreation. Many snowmobiling trails converge, offering extensive access to the Blue Mountains. Across from Andies Prairie Sno-Park, the only designated sledding area near Walla Walla, the Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area has several marked trails groomed for cross country skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing. The Blue Mountain Land Trust’s volunteer trail maintenance group, the Blues Crew, maintain these trails and ensure proper signage. They also created a small, kid-friendly trail called Tenderfoot adjacent to the sno-park, providing a wonderful place to practice new snow sports without crossing the highway, not to mention next to the only vault toilet in the area.

If your family is ready to try a more remote option, Rose Springs Sno-Park might just check that box. Located in the Pomeroy District of the Umatilla National Forest, it is hard to predict the weather conditions or snow depth, but when conditions are optimal, the journey is well worth the effort. Near the sno-park (maintained parking area) is a long, open hillside that is a less extreme slope than those found at Andies Prairie. Road NF-911 is closed and impassible to vehicles past the parking lot. Although not maintained, it is an option for snowshoeing. These kinds of trips are why I pack a winter picnic because if the activity aspect doesn’t play out then at least we can have a snowball fight and warm up with a meal and hot chocolate.

Those three areas not only provide different opportunities to recreate but also feature the varied landscape of the Blue Mountains. Make sure to have the appropriate passes, such as a state-specific sno-park permit. Make sure those passes are in the vehicle you drive to the mountains— again, no judgement.

Murr Sports Park (Photo Credit: Kiddo)Locals and visitors alike should recognize how lucky we are to have so many parks sprinkled throughout the valley. Don’t stop using those gems in winter months. In fact, grab a headlight and enjoy the peaceful quiet of a snowy night.

Celebrate Moments

Daylight savings ironically means we all spend our free time in the dark. Sometimes just taking a walk or bike ride with headlights is all our family can manage, and that is totally okay. Build a snowman, look at the stars before the fog sets in, and keep opting outside!

With the holidays fast approaching, consider gifting an experience: lift tickets, a Discover Pass, a guided fishing or rafting trip, a rental from Adventure Fit, or a new bike from a local shop. It is truly a gift that will keep giving as the memories last a lifetime and seem even more precious when made with family.

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