By David Janeson

If your perfect vacation means walking a sandy beach in warm sunshine, you’re right — it’s a perfect vacation. But, have you thought of taking a winter vacation? Not a winter vacation where you travel to the tropics, but a vacation where you embrace the cold weather and enjoy the fun cold weather and snow have to offer?

Offseason vacations have lots of advantages over summer. Travel and accommodations typically cost less and destinations aren’t crowded.

Winter vacations give you a chance to enjoy the great outdoors in a different way, too. If you’re ready for a whole new experience, take a look at what a winter vacation has in store.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

If you love to hike trails in the summer, you’ll discover a whole new world on many of those same trails in the winter. Cross-country skiing is the perfect way to experience nature’s winter beauty.

Another winter hiking option is snowshoeing down the trails.

“Most people learn to walk with snowshoes quickly, making it ideal for those who want to get out and go without a steep learning curve.” — David Janeson

Gull Harbour and many other resorts offer groomed trails and winter accommodations for those who want to enjoy nature’s winter beauty and a warm fire and comfy bed at the end of the day.

Ice Fishing

If you love to fish in summer, wait until you try it in the winter. Be warned, however — ice fishing is addictive. You’ll want to spend all your free time out on the ice once you’ve tried it.

Ice fishing equipment and protective gear have come a long way, and that’s part of the reason ice fishing is such a great winter activity. Another reason is the fish. Perch, bluegill and walleyes are just a few of the fish you could catch.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is the perfect winter family activity. It gets the kids out of the house and is a wonderful way to exercise and enjoy physical activity in the winter. Again, many summer resorts, including Gull Harbour, provide family accommodations and ice skating opportunities.

Snowmobiling

Many winter trails are specifically groomed for snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is the perfect group activity. Gather your friends, pack a lunch and see the woods as you’ve never seen them before.

Visit a National Park

Most national parks offer wintertime activities and programs for the whole family to enjoy. Enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat bike riding over winter trails. Many parks feature winter programs with guided tours. Family activities, such as winter carnivals and stargazing events are scheduled throughout the winter season.

Winter vacations give you a golden opportunity to experience the beauty of nature and its wonders in an entirely new way. You’ll discover new ways to recharge and renew.

And, after a winter getaway or two, you may find that your idea of a perfect vacation changed from sand to snow.

David Janeson owns Gull Harbour Marina, a seasonal lakeside resort on beautiful Hecla Island, Manitoba.

By David Janeson

If you’re on a tight budget, you might think taking a family vacation is out of the question. But, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, if you plan it right, you and your family can look forward to a memorable vacation that doesn’t cost a fortune.

Start Saving Now

Open a savings account dedicated to your family vacation. Your contributions don’t have to be large. You’ll be amazed at how quickly putting away a tiny bit of money each week adds up.

Look Close to Home

Disneyland may be out of your budget range. But, there are countless treasures near you. For example, Gull Harbour, with affordable accommodations and a load of recreational activities, is just two hours from Winnipeg.

Ask your friends and co-workers if they know of any little-known places near where you live. Conduct internet searches to find vacation possibilities you’ve never heard of.

Many family-owned vacation resorts and facilities offer incredible deals to families. They also tend to be less crowded and go beyond the norm when it comes to serving their guests.

Go OffSeason or During the Week

The time you choose to go makes a huge difference in the money you’ll spend. Prime vacation times are summer and holidays. That makes sense because that’s when everyone has time off from school and work.

If at all possible, plan your vacation for offseason or weekday stays instead of those prime travel times. Flexibility is key.

Try Camping

Purchasing camping equipment will cost you, that’s true. But, you can often find budget family camping packages on special or used tents and camp stoves sold in online marketplaces. Once you have the equipment, your adventure options are wide-open.

“Quick tip: If you purchase a used tent, assemble it in your backyard to test for leaks and practice setting it up before you take it on your trip.” — David Janeson

Many parks have campgrounds with affordable rates. Depending on the park, your adventure could include biking, fishing, swimming and hiking on any numbers of scenic trails.

Choose a Different Type of Vacation

Driving to a place and hanging out isn’t the only kind of family vacation there is. Some of the alternatives are not only affordable but provide a unique experience for the entire family.

Factory tours may not sound like the most fun type of vacation experience, but how does a chocolate factory tour sound? That’s something you can sink your teeth into. Many factories offer tours, and some let you sample the goods as well.

Learning vacations, such as learning to make crafts, riding a horse or digging for fossils, are increasingly popular. Learning vacations are budget-friendly and give you and the kids hands-on experiences you won’t forget.

Another type of vacation possibility is the volunteer vacation. A volunteer vacation is not only a great way to spend time with your family, but it also teaches children the joy that comes from helping others.

Getting away from the stresses of everyday life is important even if you can’t afford to take a two-week trip to Disneyland. Some of the best places to recharge, regroup and have fun with your family are right outside your back door.

David Janeson owns Gull Harbour Marina, a seasonal lakeside resort on beautiful Hecla Island, Manitoba.

By David Janeson

If the thought of spending hours in the car with your kids fills you with dread, take a deep breath. With a little preparation, you and the kids can spend hours in the car together without driving each other crazy.

Whether it’s a lengthy drive to your destination or a road trip is your goal, use these tips to turn those hours in the car into a fun memory you’ll always remember.

Pack With Fun and Care in Mind

One of the best ways to keep kids occupied is to pack a bag specifically for each child that they can access as you travel. Let them participate in choosing which toys, books or other items they want to bring. Some items won’t travel well, and you’ll likely have to suggest different items or veto one or two, but overall, make sure their bag has a variety of objects for play and comfort.

Play Old Style Road Trip Games

Playing classic car games is a great way to include the entire family. “I Spy” is probably the oldest road trip game there is. Other fun family games include “Spot the License Plate” and the “Alphabet Game.”

Of course, many vehicles come with backseat entertainment centers and kids often have tablets that provide other ways to entertain. But, nothing beats the classics if you’re looking for a way to get the whole family involved.

Games Made for Travel

Look for travel versions of your child’s favorite activities. For example, Crayola makes  a variety of activity and coloring book sets designed specifically for road travel. Board games, such as travel bingo, also provide hours of fun.

Make Stops and Recharge

Plan to make frequent stops. In fact, plan on taking twice as much time on a road trip with kids than you would without them.

“Stops not only give everyone a chance to use the facilities, but they also provide a much-needed reprieve from being cooped up in a car.” — David Janeson

Take a short walk, stretch your legs and let the kids expend some energy. You’ll be surprised at how much better everyone feels once they pile back in the car for the next leg of the journey.

Pack Snacks and Essentials

Discovering new places to eat is part of the fun when it comes to traveling down the highways and byways. Travel can wreak havoc on stomachs, though, so make sure you bring healthy snacks, such as fruit, along to counter whatever else you and the kids eat.

Pack a travel bag with the essentials, such as cleaning wipes, trash bags, facial wipes, motion sickness medications and other items to clean up spills and take care of anyone who gets sick.

Have Fun

A family road trip can be one of the best experiences you can have with your children. Sure, not everything will go as planned. But, with a little preparation, you can create lasting memories the entire family will cherish.

David Janeson owns Gull Harbour Marina, a seasonal lakeside resort on beautiful Hecla Island, Manitoba.