Every January brings a familiar rhythm: set New Year goals, feel motivated, and hope this year will be different. Yet research consistently shows that most New Year’s resolutions fade within weeks, not because people don’t care, but because many goals lack structure, support, and meaning.
Winter hikes and experiences offer a surprisingly effective alternative. Rather than relying on abstract intentions, trips and guided experiences translate three common New Year goals into action.
1. Winter hikes: Movement that feels purposeful
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to be more active. The challenge? Motivation drops quickly when exercise feels repetitive or disconnected from enjoyment. Outdoor winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or winter hikes naturally increase physical activity in a highly rewarding way.
Studies show that walking in natural environments improves cardiovascular health and reduces perceived exertion compared to indoor exercise. According to research published in Environmental Science & Technology, participants experienced greater mood and self-esteem improvements when exercising outdoors versus indoors.
Practices like “forest bathing” (shinrin-yoku) thrive even in winter. A study confirmed that winter forest environments significantly reduce psychological stress symptoms, lowering tension and fatigue. Just 20 minutes connecting with nature can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), according to research published in Frontiers in Psychology.
Winter trips create built-in movement, without the pressure of performance metrics or gym routines. You move because the landscape invites it.
2. More calm, less rush
Another common intention is to slow down, be more present, or manage stress better. Nature plays a measurable role here. Research from Stanford University found that time spent in natural settings reduces rumination, a pattern of repetitive negative thinking linked to anxiety and depression.
Winter, in particular, encourages a slower pace. Shorter days, quieter trails, and snow-covered landscapes create conditions that support patience and mindfulness. Guided winter tours help reinforce this by removing logistical stress and allowing you to focus fully on the experience.
Of course, these restorative benefits aren’t exclusive to winter. They’re available every season of the year! Spring’s renewal, summer’s warmth, and autumn’s vibrant colours all offer their own invitations to unplug, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the present moment.
3. Connection that’s actually meaningful
Many people set goals around spending more time with family or strengthening relationships. Shared outdoor experiences are powerful in this regard. According to research in the Journal of Leisure Research, participating in outdoor recreation together improves communication, trust, and relationship satisfaction.
Winter trips create shared challenges, moments of learning, and collective memories, elements that strengthen bonds far more effectively than passive activities. Whether it’s families snowshoeing together or friends learning about winter ecology, these moments tend to linger.
Our Science Ice Walk is a family-focused adventure that brings everyone together in a breathtaking winter canyon and frozen waterfall near Crowsnest Pass. Designed for all ages, it creates the kind of meaningful collective memories that strengthen relationships long after the day ends.
Why structure matters
One reason guided winter experiences work so well is structure. Dates are set. Plans are handled. Expertise is built in. Behavioural science shows that commitment devices (particularly, pre-scheduled activities with accountability) dramatically increase follow-through on goals.
Instead of hoping motivation appears, winter trips remove friction. You show up, and the experience does the rest. Not to mention they’re ridiculously fun, making the whole thing feel like play instead of work!
Crush your 2026 New Year goals: Embrace the year of adventure
Adventure doesn’t have to mean extreme or overwhelming. Sometimes it simply means stepping outside when it’s easier to stay in, choosing experience over intention, and letting winter work in your favour.
In 2026, rather than chasing resolutions, consider choosing experiences that naturally support the life you want to live. We have year-round trips for adventure, tours for immersive learning, and courses for all kinds of skill-building that offer movement, peace, learning, and connection without needing a reset button in February.
Bundle up, step outside, and watch your resolutions thrive amid the magic of winter!