Seasonal adjustments

Well, the bikes are finally away, but my family still wants to play. Some options:

• Building snowmen, throwing snowballs, snow fort building, and/or having your face washed in snow. Never gets old.
• Driveway hockey: we've got two sticks, ball, forward, goalie, and net. Free.
• Tobogganing: we're already equipped including three sets of snow pants, we have a great hill within walking distance, and no-one needs lessons. Also free.
• Swimming: stays on the winter menu; indoor pools at nearby posh hotel include multiple hot tubs and free underground parking for those unbearably cold days. Covered by our monthly membership fees.
• Skating: we need to upsize two pairs of skates, we live a short walk from an arena at a cost of less than $10 for the family to skate together, and no-one needs lessons. Outdoor rinks, including the canal, are free. Consumers' choice.
• Snowshoeing: we have no equipment, we can certainly learn without lessons, and there are lots of nice places to go nearby for free (including the park across the street from the house). Tempting.
• Cross-country skiing: one of us can ski, we have no equipment, we can probably do it without any lessons, and there are lots of nice forest trails nearby. We all need our dreams. This one can wait at least another year.
• Downhill skiing and snowboarding: one of us can ski, the other two of us need lessons, none of us can snowboard, we have no equipment, lift tickets aren't free. Driving distance to Mount Packenham: 45 minutes; Camp Fortune: 45 minutes. Probably not a good match to the attention span of the 5-year old child.