Have you ever thought about going out with your family on a weekend trip, but could not convince your loved ones to accompany you? Well, if you have tried and failed, then we were in the same boat barring the last week.

I have always been a travel junkie. Nothing gets blood flowing into my veins quicker than the idea of going outdoors on an adventure. But I have always found it difficult to convince my immediate and extended family to go on a trip, for enjoying the nature at its best in the winter time. When I was watching the Discovery channel last month, I came across the program which was showing a family enjoying its vacation on the snowy mountains. I was so amazed by the simple, yet beautiful experience shared by them that I TIVO’d the entire show and showed it to my kin after dinner. The effect was as intended; kids were excited, and the parents had to comply with their requests. Within an hour we had planned our trip outdoors.

1. Planning and Packing

We based our trip outdoors as on the show that we were watching. We packed our suitcases with scarves, sweaters, and winter jackets. I called on the ski equipment vendor close to my location and ordered skis for everyone who was interested in whizzing through the snowy slopes.

I chose a snowy adventure as I had an easy access to a snowy hill from my location. You can either choose to follow in my footsteps or go for a hike or a beach adventure, depending on the distance of the place from your location. I advise that you do not plan for a long distance journey, as that can be filled with hassles if you have a large group of people with you. The idea is to go to the nearest place and enjoy together.

2. Journey

Next day I rented an RV (Recreational Vehicle) and we packed our stuff in it. We all packed light as we had a short trip planned for that weekend alone. As I drove the RV, I stated hearing members of my family singing and rejoicing in one another’s company. Kids, who usually keep themselves busy with their cell phones, were busy playing new board games that I brought along for the journey. Our ride to the designated place went smoothly and everyone seemed happy as we got off the RV.

It is always great to book an RV, if you have a large group of people accompanying you. But if you are on a short budget, you can also use a wagon or a van. Make sure that you bring some games or playing cards along with you, so that your family can keep themselves active during the journey. Also, create a playlist of songs for the journey with numbers that your kin likes, and play them for a wholesome and lovely experience.

3. Stay and Outdoor Activities 

We stayed at a cottage that I rented before setting on our travels. The space was small but it was good enough to accommodate all of us. I unpacked the barbecue grill outside, in the porch. A part of the porch was covered with a shed (which I enquired about earlier), where I kept my cooking equipment. After a wholesome lunch we went outside on the snowy hills. Kids started making snowmen and playing dodge ball with snow rolled into balls. Even a few adults with yours truly included had a fun time hitting each other with those snowy orbs. After that, some of us who are keen skiers, made our way to the hills, and had a fun time while skiing.

After we came back, everyone gushed about how happy they were with the adventure. We felt fantastic, as we knew we had created some beautiful memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.