Downhill skiing and snowboarding

Skiing and snowboarding are both great for working leg muscles that don’t usually get much attention when you run. You may not feel particularly winded after a run down the slopes, but you are definitely working those leg muscles — especially your thighs! Make sure you take your family along with you and enjoy the slopes together. Just because you’re a better skier than your kids doesn’t mean you can’t ski with them. Unlike running, which is constant forward motion, downhill skiing tends to be bursts of activity with rests in-between. So if you make it down a part of the slope before your kids, take a break. Watch them come down after you, or enjoy the scenery. Family days out on the slopes are guaranteed to be fun, and you’re building memories for your kids that they will always treasure.

Cross-country skiing

Cross country, or Nordic, skiing is a favorite among distance runners. You’ll definitely get your heart rate up and will enjoy a very vigorous workout, especially if you’ve got a few uphill slopes to battle through. If you’re new to cross-country skiing, make sure that you don’t dress as warmly as you would for downhill skiing. You won’t be sitting still on a lift freezing, so you can wear much lighter layers. In fact, I would recommend dressing like you would for a run — just make sure you have waterproof pants or leggings. Beginners should start out on a flat course. The downhills take some getting used to, so you’ll want to get comfortable on your skis before attempting them. You can also bring your family for an outing together! Just make sure to take rest stops to let the slower family members catch up. Remember, when you’re trying to have fun as a family while doing something healthy — you don’t want to leave your kids or your spouse behind! Save the Olympic effort for when you’re out solo.

Snowshoeing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwona_kellie/

Snowshoeing is a fabulous way to keep running no matter how deep the snow gets! And, no, I don’t mean on those wooden and string things that you see in the movies. Running snowshoes are lightweight, streamlined, and built for speed. (OK, maybe not for speed…)

You’ll find that you will need to modify your gait a little so you don’t stumble over your snowshoes. It may feel clumsy at first, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly. You’ll also want to make sure you have the right gear — heavy or clunky snowshoes can be very frustrating.

This snowshoeing article from active.com has some great information to get you started.

Sledding

Photo credit: phaewilk from morguefile.com

Of course the most family-friendly way to cross train is sledding! You’ve probably never viewed sledding as cross-training (and may not have even tried it since you were a kid), but if you get out there with your kids and spend a few hours trudging uphill after each thrilling ride down, then you’ll really be feeling it the next day. Besides, your kids will get a kick out of seeing Dad or Mom try to fit on one of those little plastic discs, slide down the hill, and wipe out in a cloud of white powder. If you’re at a loss for nearby sledding, look for a golf course. They usually have lots of hills and rolling terrain, even in areas that are largely flat.

By including your family in these fun winter activities, not only will you get a good cross-training workout but you will also help your family stay fit while all having fun together. And when you’re done, you can all share some hot chocolate while laughing about Dad’s huge wipe-out!