How to take advantage of a kid-free Family Day

Winter love
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Family Day weekend is chock full of fun, kid-friendly events. But what if you’re kid-free this weekend? Sure, you can still build snowmen, go skating, and indulge in so much hot chocolate that your stomach starts to ache. But if it’s an adults-only weekend, there are many other ways to spend it. Why not take advantage of the extra day by exploring a nearby city, relaxing with a winter spa treatment, or even extending your Valentine’s Day celebrations? Here are five ways to enjoy Family Day—without the family.

Try a tasting

Winter wine

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You might associate wine tours with warmer months, but wineries across the country provide equally indulgent experiences in the winter. Distinctly Kelowna Tours offers a special winter tour that features late-harvest and ice wines from four different wineries on the Westside Wine Trail. If you’re in the Toronto area, head to the super trendy Prince Edward County for a stay at the rustic-chic Drake Devonshire inn. They offer customizable winter packages that include wine tastings at some of the country’s top producers, and the winemakers themselves will lead you through barrel tastings.

Hit the spa

Spa feet

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One of the best parts of winter is the feeling of relief you get when you step inside and warm your rosy cheeks. Nordic spa treatments, which combine intense heat with brief exposure to extreme cold, provide a similar appeal. They’re also said to relieve stress, eliminate toxins, and improve circulation. Popular spas that take advantage of Canada’s cold climate include Banff Springs Willow Stream Spa, the Scandinave Spa (which has three separate locations), British Columbia’s Halcyon Hot Springs, and the Polar Bear’s Club in Quebec. Depending on where you go, you could be treated to Finnish saunas, hot and cold baths, mineral pools, and hydrating massages. Maybe it’s the dreary weather, but there’s something about winter spas that’s even more luxurious.

Get lost in the woods

hands of woman reading book by fireplace

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Winter is the perfect time to hunker down with a good book completely undisturbed, because chances are, everyone else is doing the same. And the best place to do that? A little cabin in the woods, of course. If you don’t have one of your own, the options on rental sites like Airbnb seem endless. From high-ceilinged ski chalets to rustic one-room retreats, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste—and budget. Lucky for you, they all have one thing in common: a cozy spot to curl up and watch the snow fall.

Bring the tropics north

sauna and spa

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If you’re one of those people who are never without an extra pair of socks and always carrying around a warm mug of tea, chances are, winter isn’t your favourite season. One extra day might not give you enough time to head south, but there are ways to bring the tropics home. Spend your afternoon at a salt sauna, like the 450-square-foot cave in Oakville, Ontario, and you’ll come out feeling like you’ve just hit the beach. You could also head to one of the tiki bars that have popped up in Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver. We can’t think of a better way to spend a cold winter’s day than sipping on Mai tais inside a warm room filled with bamboo, palms, and thatched walls.

Learn something new

winter snowkiting

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You have a whole extra day—why not make the most of it by checking something off your “must-try” list? Join the maker’s movement and take a class in pottery, leather-working, or even macrame. Or, if you’re more interested in getting your blood pumping, it’s never too late to learn how to ski or snowboard. With adult-specific camps, world-class coaches, and locations in Whistler, Sun Peaks, and Mont Tremblant, Pratte International is a great place to start. And if all that sounds a little too “been there, done that,” we’re willing to bet you haven’t tried skijoring, ice yachting, or winter surfing yet.


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