Are winter’s frigid days keeping you from getting active outdoors? Running from February 6 to 22, the 2026 Winter Gamesare the perfect source of inspiration! As athletes curl, sled, skate, ski and snowboard on the world stage, why not harness some of that energy, bring it into your own routine and turn your chills into thrills?
You don’t need elite skills to enjoy the benefits of being active this winter. Whether you’re gliding across ice or dashing through the snow, movement is a surefire way to keep those winter blues at bay!
5 ways to bring the 2026 Winter Games spirit into your routine (no medals required!):
1. Give curling a whirl
Featured at the Winter Games since 1924, curling is a sport where two teams of four players take turns sliding heavy, polished granite rocks across a sheet of ice towards a circular target marked on the ice called a “house”. The rocks have pre-set rotations that make them curl as they slide on the ice (this is how the sport earned its name).
Each team has a captain called a “skip” who advises their team members to sweep the ice in front of each sliding rock to change its speed and direction so they can get it as close as possible to the house. A team scores points for the rocks that are resting nearest to the centre of the house at the conclusion of each round (called an “end”), which is completed after each team has thrown all eight of their rocks. After players have completed all six to 10 ends, the team with the most points wins.
While curling may not seem physically demanding, the lunging motion you make when sliding a rock works your leg and glute muscles, and the vigorous sweeping engages your core, arm and shoulder muscles while raising your heart rate. It’s also mentally stimulating because it requires thinking strategically, planning and adapting to the opposing team’s moves. In fact, it’s often called “chess on ice”.
As a team sport played at clubs, curling is a great way to socially connect with others and make friends. Plus, it’s affordable, easy to learn and suitable for all ages and abilities, with adaptive options like stick curling and wheelchair curling available.
Want to try curling? Visit Curling Canada’s website to discover resources and programs to help you get started.
2. Slide with pride on a toboggan
The 2026 Winter Games feature three sliding sports: bobsleigh, luge and skeleton. While all of them involve sliding down an ice track on a sled at incredible speeds, the luge is considered the fastest, with athletes reaching speeds of up to 154 kilometres per hour!
Clearly, these sports are not meant for the average person, but luckily there’s a safer and more accessible alternative where you can still get a taste of some of the thrills: tobogganing! The word “toboggan” comes from from the Mi’kmaq word tobakun, meaning “sled”. The Inuit people constructed the first toboggans from whale bone and used them to transport people and belongings across snow.
Tobogganing became a recreational activity in the late 1800s, and today it still involves sliding down snow-covered hills while sitting or lying down on a wooden or plastic sled. When done safely (see these safety tips), tobogganing can be tons of active fun! As you repeatedly walk uphill while carrying your toboggan, you’ll get a great leg and cardio workout in. It’s also a fun activity to do with your friends, partner, kids or grandkids!
You can find toboggans at department stores like Canadian Tire, and chances are there’s a park near you with a hill that’s ideal for tobogganing and inspected regularly by your municipality. To prevent head injuries, it’s a good idea to wear a ski helmet when tobogganing.
3. Ice skate to participate
There are four ice skating events at the 2026 Winter Games: figure skating, short- and long-track speed skating and ice hockey. Even if you’re not comfortable enough on ice to perform spins or jumps, face-off in high-intensity races or use a stick to shoot a puck into a net, ice skating on its own is enjoyable. Suitable for all ages, this low-impact activity helps improve your strength, posture, balance, motor coordination and joint flexibility.
There’s no need to buy an expensive pair of skates to start, as you can often purchase used pairs from local community or buy-and-sell groups. Many rinks also offer rentals. No matter where you get your skates, ensure they fit your feet correctly (not too snug or loose).
When ice skating, it’s important to dress appropriately: wear enough clothes to keep you warm and let you move freely. It’s also strongly recommended that you wear a CSA-certified hockey helmet to prevent any fall-related head injuries, especially if you’re a beginner.
If you’ve never ice skated before or just want to improve your ice skating skills, check out CanSkate – Skate Canada’s learn-to-skate program.
4. Downhill or cross-country ski with glee
Of the 17 sports featured in the 2026 Winter Games, seven of them involve using skis: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, Nordic combined, ski jumping and ski mountaineering. If you’re new to skiing or simply not comfortable with performing aerial tricks, doing jumps or shooting a rifle, start off with alpine or cross-country skiing.
Also called “downhill skiing”, alpine skiing involves sliding down on a pair of skis from the top of a slope to the bottom. This activity gets you outdoors, your heart pumping and your muscles moving – all active ingredients in supporting your mental well-being – so it’s no surprise that studies find that people who ski (or get active outside in nature) experience positive mental health outcomes. Research has also shown that downhill skiing, especially when done regularly, may contribute to healthy aging.
Downhill skiing is accessible for all abilities and adaptations and often includes sit-skis, outriggers or guides for people with visual impairments. For more information, visit the Canadian Adaptive Snow Sports website.
5. Bored? Hop on a snowboard!
First featured at the Winter Games in 1998, snowboarding involves sliding down a snow-covered slope while standing on a board attached to your feet with special boots that are set onto a mounted binding. This thrilling sport was inspired by skiing, skateboarding and surfing.
There are five snowboarding events featured at the 2026 Winter Games:
- Parallel giant slalom: Two snowboarders race each other through a series of gates down two parallel courses.
- Halfpipe: Each athlete performs a series of tricks on a U-shaped slope.
- Big air: Snowboarders use a ramp to perform trick jumps
- Slopestyle: Athletes snowboard down a course with different obstacles like rails and boxes and get judged on their tricks.
- Cross: Riders race in groups of four on a course that features various types of terrain, including jumps and other obstacles.
Snowboarding works your core and lower body muscles, as being in a squat position for long periods of time keeps your quads constantly engaged, and you need to use your core to rotate your torso and support your lower body.
Downhill skiing and snowboarding can be exciting, but they’re both considered high-risk sports, so make sure you have proper instruction if it’s your first time on the slopes and wear a suitable helmet. If you’re thinking of trying skiing or snowboarding or need a refresher, Ski Canada’s Never Ever Days program has everything you need (equipment rental, a lift ticket and a group lesson) for an affordable price.
Whether the precision of curling, the simple pleasure of tobogganing, the gracefulness of ice skating or the excitement of snowboarding and skiing inspire you, the 2026 Winter Games remind us that winter offers many opportunities to be active. You don’t need extraordinary skills or costly equipment to get started – just an eagerness to try new activities or rediscover old ones and embrace the season. So, bundle up, head outside and let the energy of the 2026 Winter Games motivate you to make room to move all season long!
