Winter is here, and that means the time of year to get more time outdoors – despite how cold it may be outside! The importance of getting fresh air and as much vitamin D as you can absorb, especially during the colder months, cannot be understated. Whether you're seeking a snow-globe winter wonderland or just looking for some nature in your daily routine, it's never too late to start exploring.

Winter is the perfect season to explore the natural beauties that the world has to offer or to get your heart pounding if you have the correct mindset, gear, and equipment. In consideration of your financial constraints, the following are some ideas that can help you have an enjoyable winter while maintaining your connection to mother nature:

Budget-friendly winter adventures

It is not necessary to spend an exorbitant amount of money on travel expenses in order to enjoy a memorable winter vacation. There is a wide variety of fun things to do that won't break the bank, and some of the things on this list don't even require a monetary investment at all. In spite of the frigid weather outside, there is really no justification for staying indoors. You should go on a winter excursion not only to feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and sneak in a good dose of vitamin D, but also to feel more connected to Mother Nature.

The following section comprises of suggestions for winter outdoor adventures that are appropriate for everybody, regardless of their level of physical prowess or age, including children. You won't have any trouble finding something in this section that is suitable not only for your finances but also for your preferences.

Ice Skating

Water has this strange feature where it turns into a solid when it gets incredibly cold, and enormous amounts of frozen water are capable of supporting the weight of a human being when they are frozen solid. After that, we came up with a sport that makes use of the frozen water, and it's called ice skating.

Ice skating is one of the most fantastic winter outdoor activities that can be done on a budget. Although it is usually done indoors throughout the year, but there’s an added magic when skating is done outdoors in the winter. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and Manchester’s Winter Funland are two popular sports to enjoy a few laps around a rink outdoors. Another interesting outdoor skating venue is in the moat by the Tower of London, possibly the most dramatic outdoor skating venue in the world. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a Beefeater on the ice.

But for an even more interesting winter adventure, consider grabbing a pair of skates and seeking out a frozen lake to skate on! Your best chance of finding a frozen lake that’s skateable is up in Scotland. But if you’re willing to spend a bit more money on skating, consider flying out to Europe’s largest free skating rink, located in the Swiss Alps. Lake Joux calls the Jura Mountains of Switzerland its home and during the winter, the lake is completely frozen over and is safe to skate on. There will even be vendors who set-up shop upon the frozen surfact of the lake itself!

Surfing

Even though you probably might not think of surfing as a "winter sport," the finest waves are sometimes only available during the colder months of the year. When it comes to the United Kingdom, this statement could not be more accurate because wintertime brings some of the largest waves that surfers in the UK have the opportunity to ride. The beaches, on the other hand, will never be crowded because of the chilly weather. This is the nicest part!

Cornwall and Pembrokeshire are some great spots for wintertime surfing – especially since it’s slightly more tolerable weather-wise, being in the south. But if you’re really looking for some big waves to ride, then consider bopping over to the north, to Scarborough, where some of Britain’s best waves await you. For bigger, more consistent waves and a more exciting winter adventure, consider heading across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland.

Remember to bring heavy wetsuits with you if you plan on surfing during the winter months; wetsuits with a thickness of 5 or 6 millimetres will typically do the work. Find a pair of surfing boots that are sturdy and close together at the toes. This is an essential piece of equipment for any surfer. The waters throughout the winter will undoubtedly be icy and merciless; therefore, you need to take precautions to keep yourself warm by utilising the appropriate gear.

Winter outdoor adventures that are a bang for your buck

With a bit of money to spare, the type of winter outdoor activities that you can enjoy become even more exciting. These next few activities, which range from those that are more relaxing to those that are certain to give you a surge of adrenaline, are bound to pique your interest in some way or another.

Plus,, there are some things that are so astounding that they can only be experienced firsthand. So, if you intend to spend a little bit extra on your winter outdoor adventure, you might want to think about adding one of these activities to your itinerary in order to inject a little bit more excitement into your winter this year.

Ice Climbing

Frozen ponds and lakes aren't the only things that can be discovered during the wintertime; there are also a variety of frozen buildings that are unique to this season. If you have the good fortune to stumble upon a frozen waterfall, you might be shocked to learn that this is an excellent place to do some climbing. Ice climbing is one of the many exciting wintertime outdoor sports that can be enjoyed during the colder months of the year – just make sure you have the upper body strength to get through it!

With the help of specialised equipment and a great ice climbing guide, you can explore beautiful landscapes in an unparalleled way. One of the most highly recommended ice climbing spots in the UK is in the Lake District, with ice climbing showcasing a completely different side of the District! The best times to go ice climbing in the UK are between January and February as those tend to be the coldest months, meaning that the water streams are solid enough to withstand the continuous use of ice picks and crampons.

If you’re keen on adding a bit of a twist to your ice climbing experience, consider booking an ice climbing trip in the Italian Alps. The Italian Alps are home to some of the best ice climbing in the world. Ice climbing will not only be a very exhilarating experience for you, but it will also provide you with the opportunity to discover the world-famous Italian Alps in a completely new and unique way. You can rest assured that participating in this winter outdoor activity will provide you with one of the most amazing experiences that you will ever have in your whole life.

Skiing

We wouldn't be doing this list justice if we didn't include one of the most iconic wintertime outdoor activities: skiing. There is nothing quite like skiing; nothing beats the feeling of hurtling down well-groomed slopes, tearing up freshly fallen snow while inhaling the crisp air of the mountains. Skiing is an absolutely essential outdoor sport, particularly for individuals who are enthusiastic about having an experience in the snow.

Although most people choose to get their "ski fix" in countries on the continent of Europe, such as France or Italy (which can lead to some ridiculous expenditures), there are actually a few locations within the UK that are ideal for skiing. If you have a craving to go skiing but don't want to spend too much money doing it, you might want to think about going somewhere further north.

The slopes that descend Cairngorm are the ones that are most frequently chosen for in-country skiing vacations because of their accessibility and variety. In addition to being a fantastic place to go skiing in the United Kingdom, Glenshee features over 40 kilometres (25 miles) of downhill slopes spread throughout its four mountain ranges.

Luxury wintertime outdoor adventures

Seeking a more exclusive way to embark on some winter outdoor activities? Then this section is definitely for you. “Outdoor activities” and “luxury” don’t tend to go hand-in-hand, but sometimes we’d still like to connect to Mother Nature while enjoying certain modern comforts and taking the moment to relax.

Even though these activities are somewhat pricey due to the costs of flights and accommodation, they are nonetheless enjoyable wintertime activities that are inaccessible unless you have the financial means. Because they offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are impossible to have in any other manner, these luxurious wintertime excursions will, in the end, be well worth every penny spent on them. These are some winter adventure ideas for individuals who have the financial means to spend, ranging from vacations that are more laid-back to those that steal your breath away in more ways than one:

Glamp Under the Northern Lights

Glamping is the combination of the words “glamour” and “camping”, which gives guests the feel of a few nights out in nature, with most modern-day amenities like running water and sometimes WiFi. And, as you may have guessed, with those modern-day comforts come quite the price tag. While glamping is also a great spring outdoor adventure, this entry on our list of best winter outdoor activities takes things a step further.

The Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, are a unique celestial phenomenon that involves the dissipation of solar flares across the Earth’s atmosphere. This results in a brilliant light show that can only be enjoyed in some of the northernmost locations on Earth during a clear winter night. You can expect to have to sleep under the stars and the Northern Lights for sure, which most definitely involves being out in the cold. This entry is one of the most unique winter adventure vacations that are perfect for Northern Lights chasers who’d love a bit of comfort.

For a few thousand pounds a night, sleep in comfort beneath nature’s most spectacular light show, with plush beds and a warm fire. There are glamping sites across popular Northern Lights hotspots like Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland, with some of these sites offering saunas and access to washrooms so you can stay fresh throughout your stay.

Reindeer Sledding

Reindeer sledding was the traditional method of many peoples around the world for getting across great snowy distances. Nowadays, it has become more of a tourist activity as snowmobiles offer a much quicker and more efficient way for tribespeople to get from A to B. But, luckily for us, there are still a few places where you can experience this traditional transport and explore the snow-covered outdoors – for a price!

Reindeer sledding is a slower alternative to dog sledging that gives people the opportunity to explore huge winter landscapes with the assistance of some four-footed friends with antlers. If you choose to travel to any of the Scandinavian countries in order to have this one-of-a-kind experience, you will also have the opportunity to learn about the Sami tribe, which is one of the few remaining tribes in the world that still places a meaningful focus on the practice of reindeer husbandry.

The municipality of Tromsø in Norway is an excellent destination for engaging in a variety of exciting winter activities. There are companies that provide the opportunity to go reindeer sledding at night, and as an added bonus, guests have the possibility of witnessing the Aurora Borealis. These wintertime outdoor activities also feature a magnificent meal by candlelight, which is followed by a cultural showcase that focuses on Sami culture by relating the history of the community and telling stories from its past.

Enjoy some winter outdoor activities

Despite the weather turning much colder, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have the opportunity to embark on some fun winter outdoor adventures! From gliding across frozen lakes to traversing across frozen waterfalls or sleeping cosily beneath the Northern Lights, there is definitely something for everyone to do to take themselves outside this winter season – regardless of what their budget may be!

Best winter outdoor adventures