For the Graff family, winter is an opportunity to create traditions and spend time together.
“I love when it’s snowy; the contrast with the blue sky is so gorgeous. I like that we have different seasons,” said Lisa Graff, a mother of five daughters who lives in Orem and has seen her family through more than 20 Utah winters. “Our family tradition is that Jan. 1, we go sledding — every year!”
The cold of an average Utah winter can chase kids indoors, where the temptation to lounge may stifle opportunities for imagination and play. But with the right preparation and creativity, playing outside and participating in snow sports can be an enjoyable time for the family.
“There's a tendency to not go outside in the winter,” said author and ski instructor Melissa Dymock. “If you give them something to get excited about, things they can do and games they can play, they're going to be out a lot more. They'll be healthier and get sick less."
She offers creative tips, games and even recipes to beat the winter blues and to encourage children to experiment outside in her book “Sliding in the Snow.”
“I looked at traditional things to do in the snow, like how to build snowshoes, and I tried to break it down for kids,” Dymock said. Some of the activities, such as making ice ribbons, snow launchers and snow tunnels, give detailed instructions for kids and parents to follow together.
“Anytime you're introducing a kid to something new, you have to make it a game … be silly, have fun with it,” Dymock said.
Family traditions can help children enjoy the winter months too, she said.
“My grandma always used to make snow ice cream with us,” Dymock said, referring to one of the recipes in her book. “I remember being at her house and going out with her whenever there was fresh snow on the ground. Every kid loves to eat snow — that's a given. It helps them to feel creative.”
Brooke Graff, 12, sees the snow with new eyes when she brings her dog along with her.
“We went sledding and we brought our dog, Finn, with us for the first time,” Brooke said. “He chased us down the hill and even went on the sled a few times with us.”
“The dog was so excited to be there,” Lisa Graff said. “He added a lot of new energy.”
George Kolbenschlag, director of the mountain school at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, said getting children outside is most successful when they have appropriate winter gear.
“They need to be acclimated to the winter environment. It's really important that they feel safe and secure," he said. "They need a good breakfast, they need the right clothing: hat, gloves, snow pants, eyewear. … They're not going to have fun if they're cold, wet or hungry. Make sure they have a full tank.”
Graff said it can seem daunting to get all the children bundled up to go outside, but when everyone is properly dressed, outings are more enjoyable for all.
“I just get cold really fast,” Brooke said.
“We got them snow pants one year, and that really made a difference,” Graff said.
Any type of outdoor activity can be beneficial to children, Kolbenschlag said, especially in Utah during the winter when they are in the midst of world-class snow, skiing and snowboarding in the mountains, or even just the piles of snow left over in the backyard.
“I remember one time during Christmas break, the whole family was out,” Graff said. “We were playing Fox and Geese, and there’s something about the whole family being together — it takes it to a whole new level of fun that you don’t get otherwise. We didn’t want to come in because everyone was having so much fun.”
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MELISSA DYMOCK’S SNOW ICE CREAM
Have everything ready to go before gathering the snow because it will melt fast. Always use fresh snow; it's more sanitary and less icy. It’s more difficult to mix in the flavoring if the snow is icy.
1 small bowl fresh snow
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 spoonful sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Optional toppings: bananas, strawberries, chocolate sauce or anything you'd put in regular ice cream
Note: The amounts above are adjustable depending on how much snow you gather and how much flavor you like.
Take a plastic cereal bowl outside and fill it with snow. Try not to smash the snow; keep it light and fluffy.
Pour in the vanilla, sugar and milk, and stir it with a spoon until the mixture resembles a thick slush. Taste. Add in more vanilla and sugar to taste. It takes a bit of stirring to get all the flavors blended.
Add in all the fun extras.
— “Sliding in the Snow,” by Melissa Dymock
Email: scobb@deseretnews.com