5 Winter Activities For When the Mercury Drops Below Zero

Despite the unseasonably warm winter we've been having, temperatures across Montana are about to go low. It'll dip well below zero, and in some areas, won't even read on the thermometer. Although the daytime highs will be shockingly low, by no means should that make you have to stay indoors all day. 

Though the temperatures outside will make our frigidaires seem tropical, here are five outside activities to enjoy in our arctic landscape this week. 

Hit the mountain!

It may seem contradictory to head up in elevation when temps will be as cold as predicted, but the valleys and canyons of the state will be much colder than the mountains will. Hit the slopes! One epic benefit to the cold is the snow quality will be as good as it gets. None of this "Sierra cement" or "east coast ice", our cold smoke will frolic in these temps. Heck, even Big Sky has heated chair lifts. No excuses, get out there and enjoy this freshly dumped powder. 

Snow Shoe/Cross Country Ski!

Get out on the trails. Though they will be slightly colder than the mountain, the powder remains the same. Get the blood flowing and enjoy the crisp and clear outdoor air and experience the beauty of the trails. See the tracks in the snow from the creatures that thrive in this winter environment and surprise yourself with how warm you could actually get enjoying one of these incredible wintertime workouts. If you layer appropriately, your body will be able to regulate a good temperature, enabling you to stay out longer than you think.

Ice Fishing!

Though the fly rods will likely be stowed until the daytime highs reach the mid-twenties or around freezing, that doesn't mean the fish aren't biting. Head out to the nearby lake and give ice fishing a shot. Call up a buddy who has a fishing hut and a drill and walk out onto the ice. It is probably safe to say that if the daytime high temperatures are below zero that all still bodies of water are happily frozen solid enough to walk on. Bring some tea and coffee (or even something a little stronger) in the thermos, go and huddle up in a hut, and try your luck at a catch. 

Go For a Drive!

For those that don't dare want to step out into the frosty winter wonderland but still want to enjoy the sheer beauty of it all, start that car up, crank that heater, and go for a drive. Let the car warm up before you hit the road, but once you do, you'll see that just because the temperature decided to drop, all the creatures of nature haven't stopped stirring. Watch the ice build along the banks of the rivers, dipper birds and big horn sheep scurry about with their breath easily seen, and maybe step out of your car for a quick picture to feel what they do. The winter wonderland might be Montana's prettiest dress and the car is a great way to experience it without frost-bitten extremities.

Just Embrace It!

Long story short, whichever activity you enjoy, just accept that days like this do happen and get out there. It's astounding that temperatures like this don't happen more frequently. We do in fact border Canada, therefore temperature and weather are part of what make Montana what it is. Lace up those shoes and go for a walk around the neighborhood or a quick jog. Take the dog out to let them feel the freeze of their favorite dog park or trail. Or jump out onto your porch in your underwear to feel alive and give your neighbors a thrill.

The point of the matter is regardless of how we feel about the frost, it's here to stay for awhile. Therefore instead of binge-watching the boob tube, carve out some time in your day to at least get out there and feel it. If you layer appropriately, it won't feel nearly as bad as you may have expected. All of the favorite winter activities are still equally as enjoyable or arguably even enhanced with a dip in the temperature; it is all just a matter of mindset. Get out and take in the beauty of the crystal clear air and sunny cold skies of our arctic Montana winter days.