How would you define a great winter break? Late mornings, preferably, but also playing with friends. We would probably say that a really great winter break is spent outdoors. With family, perhaps even several families. And while there is something special about heading to the mountains to go skiing, there are plenty of winter adventures closer to home. Here are several tips for a memorable winter break for the whole family.

Take a trip together
To be able to take a few days or even a whole week in the mountains is a dream for many. Take the opportunity to enjoy spending time together and being outdoors. Go skiing, go sledging, eat lunch outside…all of the small things that are a part of winter break. But remember one thing: winter break is not a competition. It is easy to have really high expectations when you have spent a huge chunk of money on a “dream vacation”. Winter break is supposed to be filled with sports activities and relaxation – if you do not have the energy to stay on the slopes all day long, there is nothing wrong with that.

Image from Storlien 2009 – from our yearly winter trip

Marketing Manager Jerry Engström is (probably) getting what he deserves during one of our many winter adventures.

Spend winter break at home
Winter break doesn’t mean that you have to travel. There is plenty to discover at home – both small, simple adventures and slightly larger adventures. (If your family has never gone winter camping, that could be a great expedition – but we suggest maybe starting with something a bit easier.)

Go out, for example, and spend time outside as a family. Find a good destination, whether it is a forest close by (if you have younger children) or a nature reserve or national park a bit further away (if your children are older). In some places there are official rest sites with lean-tos and fire pits surrounded by nature. These are perfect! Bring some hot dogs and fixings, or make a special campfire bread (see Recipe Tips), and grill out in the fresh winter air. Contact your closest tourist office, county administrative board or municipality for tips about where you can go.

Photo from Alvik in Stockholm a couple a weeks ago taken while ice skating  (photo taken with Iphone)

A warm drink can make the outdoors even better
Bring a backpack filled with warm drinks. Your child might want to carry his/her own backpack, and many children like to be involved and decide what goes into their bag. Like we said, hot dogs are always a big hit, or delicious, filling sandwiches and thin pancakes (available in most grocery stores if you do not want to be tied to your stove). Maybe hot chocolate in a thermos and preferably some baked buns. Often it is the break and warm drinks that make a great outdoor experience and give us cosy memories of being outside. Take lots of breaks! Particularly if you have small children.
Listen to your children and adapt your activities to their needs (yes, it might be possible to negotiate that they stop whining about wanting to play video games). It is more fun that way, for everyone. If you do not reach your destination, even if it is only 1 km away, the day could be just as fun a little closer to home.

Tag along with someone who knows
There is so much to do in the winter. Ice fishing. Ice skating, on a ploughed path or on unploughed ice (only if you choose safe ice and have the proper equipment). Cross-country skiing, either in tracks or off on your own. And there is a lot you can do close to home, too – you do not have to be up in the mountains to experience the outdoors. If you are unsure where to go, ask a local outdoors group for some tips.

A good meal is a great goal
Sometimes it is difficult to convince children to go outside. Find a tempting place to eat, whether it is a cabin selling waffles or a nice café, and turn it into a short excursion. The only rules are that you have to use your own two feet and that you have to be outdoors. You can get there on foot, skis or skates – or maybe by bike of you live where the roads are free from ice.

Relax and unwind
Turn off your phone. This is probably the most important piece of advice we can give. Spend time with your children and give them all of your attention during the time you spend together. Telephone calls, e-mails, SMS, Facebook updates and everything else – it can wait.
We wish your entire family a happy winter break!

Great links for taking the children outdoors:
Try something new. Friluftsfrämjandet offers tips for outdoor activities around the country.

Spend the night in nature. The Swedish Tourist Association has hostels with affordable prices both close to home and further away.
Visit a national park in the area. Descriptions of Sweden’s 29 national parks are available on the national Environment Protection Board’s website.

Recipe Tips:
Campfire Bread
5 dl flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 dl water
Start at home by pouring all of the dry ingredients into a plastic bag. When it is time to grill, add the water and make the dough by squeezing the bag. Take out a scoop, shape it into a patty about the thickness of your finger and wrap it around a thick stick for grilling. Spin the stick over the fire, making sure that the dough does not burn. When the bread turns golden brown and separates easily from the stick, it is finished (this can take 6-8 minutes). Eat the bread while it is warm.