Don't Hibernate! Be Active This Winter

Staying active in the winter is challenging if you're not into snow sports or rainy day walks. Try these ideas to keep moving.

Check out your community center for indoor activities such as Ping-Pong, badminton, or basketball.

Go swimming. Many communities have public indoor pools. Some offer shallow-water exercise classes.

Get more out of shopping. Instead of going to the nearest escalator at the mall, take the long, circuitous route between shops you want to visit.

Or just go to a mall and walk. Take a cue from senior mall-walking programs and create your own mall walk, preferably during non-peak shopping hours.

Learn how to snowshoe or cross-country ski into the winter wonderland. Start with an organized outing and be aware of avalanche dangers. For resources, see the Washington Trails Association.

Dance! Pretend you're prepping for "Dancing with the Stars." Take dance lessons, or just turn up the music at home and improvise.

Weatherize yourself and get outside. Put on rain or snow gear, waterproof shoes, and head outdoors to walk. Check out lowland trails for hiking, perhaps in city and county parks.

Take group lessons to ski or board at one of the Northwest's many ski areas. Check into package deals for rentals and lessons.

Indoor skating. You don't have to be an Olympic ice skating champion like Michelle Kwan to glide around your local rink for an hour or two. Or, how about indoor roller skating?

Try something new, such as boxing, yoga, or martial arts.

Head to a large museum and visit all the galleries for a visual and physical workout.

Invest in an active gaming system like Wii and get ready to spike a volleyball, knock down some bowling pins, or smash a tennis ball.

Visit a public garden. Many are open in the winter.

Have a dog? Go extra blocks. Instead of taking shorter walks when the weather turns cold, stretch out your dog walks to make up for this more sedentary season.

Plan a scavenger hunt for your kids or friends that takes them up and down stairs and around the neighborhood.