[00:00:00] The Best Thing in the World

I think it is so much fun. Mm-hmm. Probably it's, like, it's probably the best thing in the world. And we're just never gonna know. We recommend it. And don't do it ourselves.

[00:00:15] Welcome and Topic Intro

Hello, EEPers. Welcome to another episode of Extra English Podcast with Misha- And Larissa. We're two Canadian English teachers talking about life in Canada, our lives, and anything else that might interest us, and hopefully will interest you too. So join us for another conversation.

Today we're gonna talk about some popular winter activities in Canada. Yeah.

[00:00:43] How Cold and Snowy

As you know, or maybe you don't, we live in Canada And it is currently winter, and it is cold. It's so cold. Mm-hmm. Dangerously cold out right now. Dangerously. Mm-hmm. Yeah, and we have a lot of snow. Mm-hmm. Everything was canceled yesterday.

Um, like the schools were closed. That's right. Toronto got this much snow in one, in one storm. If you're just listening- ... she's holding her hands about a foot and a half apart. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Too much snow. Yeah, it's a lot. Yeah. And so we thought maybe we'll talk about some fun things to do- Mm-hmm

because the snow can be interesting. Winter can be exciting. Yeah. Plus, we live in a place where it is winter for half the year, whether we like it or not, so we gotta find ways to enjoy it. Yeah. Mm-hmm.

[00:01:31] Skating and Zamboni

So tell me, Misha, what's your favorite thing to do outdoors in the winter? Uh, good question. I feel like there are a few things that I like to do.

I really enjoy skating. Mm. And there's a rink ... I live downtown in my city, and the city hall has a rink every year that's very well-maintained, so I like to go skating at the, the outside rink at city hall. And I think this rink is actually controlled, like the temperature's- Mm-hmm ... controlled, right? That's right.

It has ... I don't know what the technical term is, but it has coolers in it, so even if it warms up, because some days in the winter it goes above zero, uh, this rink won't melt, so it's easy for them to maintain a really nice- Mm ... icy surface. Plus, my three-year-old loves to watch the Zamboni drive by. Isn't that a fun word, Zamboni?

Zamboni. It's a great word. If you don't know, it's a machine that cleans the surface of ice on an ice rink so that it stays flat and smooth. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And- Yeah, it's very exciting to watch a Zamboni It's a pretty cool-looking machine. If you're three. If you're three. Or an adult. Well, yeah. I mean, it's also fun to watch construction sometimes.

Agree. The same kind of, same kind of interesting- Big machinery ... yeah. Yeah. What are some of your favorite winter activities? Winter activities.

[00:02:47] Sledding Basics and Safety

My favorite winter activities are indoors. Fair enough. The snow looks very beautiful from- It is so- ... inside ... gorgeous. I love watching snow fall- Mm-hmm ... from a nice, warm place.

Agree. But when I go out, I do enjoy just walking, um, on the trails in the forest if it's not too much snow- Mm-hmm ... or if people have already walked on it and they've packed it down a little bit. Mm-hmm. Um, I like to, um, tobogganing or sledding- Yeah ... which is sitting on a- A sled, which is often made of plastic, it could be metal.

Yeah. Used to be wood. And then... Used to be wood. And then we walk up a hill, sit on it, and just slide right down. Mm-hmm. This is probably, in my opinion, the best activity because it's free once you have a sled. Right. And sleds are not really expensive. No. And, um, such good exercise. Mm-hmm. You can do it as long or short as you want.

You don't have to organize a team. Like, if you wanna play hockey or something- Mm-hmm ... you need a team. That's right. This you can just go by yourself or with a friend- Mm ... or you can bring a whole group of people if you like. Totally. And yeah, stay as long as you like, leave whenever you're cold. Yeah. Kids love it.

Yes. Right? Yeah. Agreed. And in a lot of cities, they have, um, places that are maintained- Mm-hmm ... by the city- Mm-hmm ... for sledding, so they'll make sure that there are, that you are not, not gonna run into a tree or -- Yeah, exactly ... not gonna get hurt. It can be dangerous, sledding, 'cause you go really fast- You do

often. Mm-hmm. So there is a hill near here where I go with my son and my nephew sometime, my brother and his family, uh, and they've put hay bales- Yeah ... by all the trees at the bottom of the hill for this exact reason. Oh. So that if anyone is going too fast and is about to run into a tree, which could be dangerous, they'll be stopped by a nice soft hay bale.

Yeah, ju- just bump into the hay. Mm-hmm. I've never sledded far enough that I've hit the hay bales. Me neither. But I'm glad to know they're there- Yes ... just in case. Often I'll fall off my sled partway down, which is also fun. Also fun. Tumble a little bit, roll down the hill, get all snowy. It's, it is... This is making me wanna go out sledding.

Yeah. It's fun. We should go sledding. It is fun. It is fun. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:04:58] Winter Clothes

The key is, if you're coming to a cold country, if you live in a cold country- Mm-hmm ... I think the key is dress appropriately. That's right. As long as you have the right footwear, you got some nice boots, snow pants, or at least multiple layers of pants.

I don't have snow pants. And now that I have a kid, I really need to buy a pair- Yes, you do ... of snow pants. Yes, you do. I could avoid it before, but tobogganing without snow pants is a cold- No ... endeavor. Not a good idea. Mm-mm. Not a good idea. This is why there's that expression, there's no bad weather, just bad clothing.

Ooh. Have you heard that before? I haven't, but I agree. Right? Mm-hmm. I- if you dress right for whatever the weather is, you'll be all right. You'll be comfortable. Okay, but what about hot? If it's so hot, what is the right clothing for that? Cotton? Like- Yeah ... linen? I think so. But- Yeah ... I don't know. I've been some hot places.

I like a natural fiber, long sleeve, keep the sun off your skin. Uh, yeah. I, I think. But, I mean, we certainly aren't experts on hot weather. That's not- No ... not our- And I wonder if that expression was made by a clothing company. Oh. We could, we could look it up. A winter clothing company, more specifically. Yes.

It's very good advertising.

[00:06:15] Snowshoeing Explained

Another activity I really enjoy in the winter, although more so when I'm out in the country at my parents' house, is snowshoeing Snowshoeing Mm I've never- So fun ... tried this. Never in your life? No. Well, I don't have snowshoes. Oh, well, come with me. Okay. Let's go. It's so fun. It's better

It's not really a city activity because you need- Mm ... a, a large area of, of snow, not a sidewalk or a, I guess a city park, but anyway, snowshoes are flat, large things that you tie or attach to your boot. Mm-hmm. And they were used by, and are still used by Indigenous Canadians, and at that time were made of leather and wood often.

Mm. Um, but you can buy them today made that way or made of metal, plastic. But what happens is the snowshoe spreads your weight out over a larger area so you're not as likely to fall in the snow. Yeah. So you can walk more easily, and it's a nice ... It's just a nice peaceful way to- Mm ... to walk around. My parents have these beautiful trees that collect a lot of snow- Ah

so it's always very picturesque, always a beautiful scene out there. Yes. Uh, so I really enjoy that. I can't believe you haven't tried it. I know, and 'cause I said one of the things I like doing is walking- Mm-hmm ... on the trails- Mm-hmm ... but I have to wait until they've been, they've been walked on. Yeah. But if I had snowshoes, I could go out anytime.

Anyti- anywhere. Although, as I did also mention, my favorite activities are indoors, but We're gonna, we're gonna turn that around. You're gonna make me an outdoorsy person. Exactly. Snowshoeing. Snowshoeing. I won- are they expensive, snowshoes? You know, I don't know actually 'cause I've never bought them. I just use the ones at my parents' house when I'm there.

I, I mean, I can't imagine so. And my feet aren't growing anymore- No ... so I don't think I need to- You buy a pair- ... change them every year, like when you're a kid and you need- That's right ... to get different size skates all the time. True. Yeah. I could probably invest in a pair of snowshoes. Mm-hmm. You can ... I'll lend you a pair first.

You can try them out. Okay. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Try before you buy. Uh-huh. I like it.

[00:08:26] Skiing and Snowboarding Talk

So what about skiing, skiing or snowboarding? Mm. Are you interested in either of those activities? Uh, it's not really my speed. No. I've tried skiing. Mm. As a teenager, I think was probably the last time. I found it a bit daunting, a bit scary.

Yeah. 'Cause you're ... The hills are high and steep. Mm-hmm. And you go fast on those things. Yeah. So I ... It is very popular in Canada, both skiing and snowboarding. Mm-hmm. I haven't tried it very much. I'm not experienced, for sure. Same. Same, same for me. Okay. I have one or two experiences in my past. They didn't go well.

I love s- tubing or sledding- Oh, tubing ... because I'm sitting. But- Yeah ... skiing and snowboarding, you're standing on your feet, and so I feel like a fall is a lot more common- Mm-hmm ... and dangerous. A- absolutely. I don't mind falling off of my sled, but- I don't really wanna fall down and tumble- Or get your foot caught

from skiing. I, I... Skiing and snowboarding take skill. Which sledding does not. Sledding, you just gotta hang on and you hope for the best. Yes. There's no skill involved. It's, it's luck- Yeah ... I suppose. I think so. But people who love skiing and snowboarding love it. They love it. I think it is so much fun.

Mm-hmm. Probably, it's like, it's probably the best thing in the world. And we're just never gonna know. We recommend it. And don't do it ourselves.

[00:09:51] Cost of Winter Equipment

It's also quite expensive to have- It is expensive ... lessons, the equipment- Mm-hmm ... the time on the hill. Yeah. Sledding is free. The hill is always there. If it has snow on it- Ab- absolutely

you just go. You go. You know? Snowshoeing, skating, those are also- Yeah ... very affordable. Yeah, skating, you just need a pair of skates, but- Yeah ... really, you can buy them secondhand all the time. Yeah. Mine were, I think, 60 or 70 bucks. Ooh, yeah. And I'll wear them probably the rest of my life. Yeah. Yeah. I got mine for $8.

Ooh. Yeah, 'cause- Impressive ... 'cause I like to buy things used. Great. Somebody else worked them in for me, and I just got to enjoy them. They're ready to go. Yeah.

[00:10:28] Snowmen and Snow Types

One other thing I end up doing these days, since I have a small child, is, you know, the fun snowman making, snowball throwing, this kind of fun stuff.

Mm-hmm. But what you might not know if you don't live somewhere with snow is that not all snow is the same. Nope. There are very different kinds of snow- Mm-hmm ... mostly dependent on the temperature. Yeah. So right now, it is very cold. Mm-hmm. I mean, for where we live, it's very cold. But, like, it's minus 15, 18, 20.

Yeah. It's cold. It's cold. Mm-hmm.

[00:11:01] Packing Snow Basics

And end of this week, it's supposed to get even worse. Ah. Prepare yourself. And so in this really cold weather, the snow is not what we would call packing snow. Nope. To make snowballs, to make a snowman, you need something called packing snow. Mm. Which is called that 'cause you can pack it together.

Yeah, it sticks together. Uh-huh. It's wet. It's wet. It's dense. Exactly. Um, but when it's packing snow, we... I mean, snowballs are fun. Mm-hmm. Kids love throwing snowballs at m- whoever. Me, their parents, each other. Your kids must have... Do they still like that at their- They do ... their older- They do. Yeah. Teenagers can have a lot of fun- Yeah

throwing snow at each other. Mm-hmm.

[00:11:41] Building the Perfect Snowman

But s- like, making a snowman, I think- Mm-hmm ... is one of the kind of iconic, best things to do in the snow. Mm-hmm. And the same, you need packing snow. You just make a little ball, and then you roll it. Uh-huh. Just, like, roll it along the ground, and it picks up more snow as you roll it- Yeah

and it gets bigger and bigger, and- You can go huge. Yeah. Yeah. Make a couple balls, put them on top, stick a carrot in for a nose- ... and a hat on top. Have you ever actually used a carrot? I have. Oh, inter- that's the- Have you not? That's the quintessential thing. Yes. But I don't know that I've ever actually used a carrot.

Oh, it- Cute ... it's g- I mean, it, it is very cute. Yeah. And then also, it feeds the animals. You know, if the squirrels or the birds wanna nibble on my, on my snowman's nose. Do they... Do squirrels eat carrots? Uh, the squirrels are eating my leftover pumpkins from Halloween. Uh, to be fair, our garbage bin behind my building is full of squirrels, so.

I suppose they eat a lot of things I'm trying to help you keep them out of your garbage by giving them gifts. Draw them to the snowman. That's ... I appreciate it. Good tactic. Sometimes snowmen will get scarves. Mm. People will put a scarf on them. Sticks for the arms. Stick arms I've definitely done. Yeah, that's really cute.

A little toque- Mm-hmm ... which is a, a winter hat. Mm-hmm. Hmm, that's true. Yeah, it's really cute. Yeah. It's kind of funny when they start to melt when it warms up, and they, they get smaller. And get mushy. They shrink. Yeah, that's fun. Yeah.

[00:13:05] Snow Angels

Another thing, popular kid activity I think is snow angels. Yes. Right? We can do that in any snow.

Any snow. Yeah. In fact, even maybe this powdery snow we have in the really cold weather might be better. Better, I think so, yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm. A snow angel is when you lie on your back fully in the snow. Mm-hmm. And you move your arms and legs i- in and out or up and down to make what looks like, when you stand up, a person in a robe, or what people call an angel.

It looks like- Yeah ... an angel. Yeah. Snow angel. Yeah. I haven't done that in a while, actually. No. I should try that with- Hmm ... with King Shook. Yeah, you should. Mm-hmm. Get out there, lay down. Yeah. Lo- you can look up at the sky. I would agree it's better in the powdery snow, 'cause the, the wet snow- Hmm ... can get into your clothing, and it's not as- That's right

good to sit in it. But- Mm-hmm ... yeah, snow angels. I, I'm gonna try that today perhaps. The hardest part is getting up without ruining your angel. That's right. You have to kinda leap out of it- It's hard ... as fast as you can. We'll have to post a picture and/or video of this process- I think so ... so people can- The snow angel

fully grasp. Yeah. Snowman, I think we know. Mm-hmm. We know what that is. Mm-hmm. But a snow angel, yeah. Right. Super easy to do. Maybe. Maybe.

[00:14:19] Hot Tub Snow Plunge

I thought of another winter activity. Yeah. People who have hot tubs- Yes ... or if you have a friend with a hot tub- Yes ... like to sit in the hot tub- Mm-hmm ... get out, roll in the snow, and then hop back in the hot tub.

Have you done that? No. Larissa, we are gonna go, uh, let's find a friend with a hot tub because I do not have one. Me neither, yeah. But that's a, that's a real Canadian experience you need to have. I have definitely sat in a hot tub in the winter. Okay. Yes. Well, good. And I've had snow falling on me. I often wear a toque or a hat- Mm-hmm

because, like, my ears get cold- Absolutely ... from the steam. That's a good idea. It's cold, but then my body is nice and warm. Mm-hmm. Um, I just haven't done the rolling in the snow bit. That is fun. Also, it occurred to me that maybe hot tubs don't exist everywhere in the world. Oh, yeah, of course not. No. So if you've never been in a hot tub, it's a large tub.

Or a small pool. Or a small pool, that's right. And norm- I feel like they can fit, like, eight people comfortably often, and it's very, very hot water. Mm-hmm. And they're outside. Mm-hmm. So people use them all year round, but they are- Yeah ... really nice in the winter- Yeah ... when it's so cold, but you're so warm.

Yeah. But maybe not, like, this cold. The, it does feel like this might be. Maybe, 'cause you have to, it's costs a lot of money to heat the water- That's true ... and so maybe you'd wanna ... Maybe around zero- Yeah ... is better. I don't know. I don't know. We don't have a hot tub. We don't. But I have done this, jump out, roll in the snow.

Okay. And I liked it. It just, your body is like, "Wah," shocked. So, it's a little fun. Then did you go back in the hot tub? Yeah, then you get back in- Mm ... 'cause you're so cold then. Yeah. It's kind of, kind of a fun activity. You are ... You're adventurous. I, I like, uh, I like to try new things. I like an adventure. I don't like risky things.

Hmm. I'm not skiing- Yeah ... for example. Right. Yeah. Or, you know, skydiving, but, uh, rolling in the snow, it can't hurt me. Nope. No. I guess. It can be uncomfortable, but- Yeah ... not dangerous. No. Yeah. Okay. All right.

[00:16:22] Shoveling and Sidewalk Rules

So one thing that I really, I'm trying to dislike less- ... about winter- Not like Dislike less. This is the scale here.

Liking is too big a- It's too much. I'm being honest here. I appreciate it. It is shoveling the snow or clearing the driveway- Mm-hmm ... clearing the sidewalk. Mm-hmm. Every time it snows, um, if there's a sidewalk in front of your house or beside your house, by law you are required to clean it off so that people can walk.

Mm-hmm. And of course, I should do that. I want people- Of course ... to walk on the sidewalk. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Um, but it's hard work. It is. And in a winter like this where we're getting snow, like, multiple times a week- Mm-hmm ... it's just constant- And as soon as somebody has driven on it or walked on it, it gets pressed down, and then it's really hard to shovel.

Uh-huh. I'm trying to think of it as like strength training exercise- Yeah ... or something, like I'm going out and I'm working. It's my gym. I like that. But it's not, it's eh. It's not- I'm not there yet. I mean, are you excited about gym? No. That's the problem. Me neither, so I get it. Yeah. Yes. But it, I mean, it's very satisfying- Mm-hmm

when I'm done and I see the nice clean sidewalk, and I, like I feel good afterwards. And then when you look out an hour later and it's snowing on it again. Oh. Yeah, that's hard. Yeah. Um, I do have a c- couple older children, so sometimes I'll get them to come out with me. Mm-hmm. And I enjoy spending time together, and we're working- Yeah

on it, and it feels like we're, you know, making progress, but it's just that it never ends. It seems to never end. That's the part- This winter has been a real m- snow and snow and snow. Yeah. Yeah. My ideal winter has a lot of snow- Mm-hmm ... but it all comes at once. We get a giant snowstorm. Yeah. We get that like foot and a half like they got in Toronto.

Uh-huh. And then we have a day to clean the roads- Mm-hmm ... clean the sidewalks, and it stays. Yes, when it's really cold and it stays. Yes. 'Cause it is beautiful. Mm-hmm. Snow is really beautiful. And then we can do the fun things. We can- Yeah ... build the snowman and go sledding- Mm-hmm ... but without having to clean the driveway every day.

Well, sometimes. You know, I can't complain about this because I live in a condo building. Yeah. And we pay someone to do all that work for us- Yeah ... of course, so I never have to shovel, which is a nice- That's a great perk ... it's nice. Yeah. It is a great perk. Yeah. Yeah. Also, it's good to get me out. Forced exercise- Forced exercise

for people who don't like the gym. That's right. What a good idea. The gym comes to me. Thank you, gym. Mm-hmm.

[00:19:15] Hot Drinks Outdoors

One other thing I love to do in the winter is sit outside in the snow with a hot drink. Mm. Mm-hmm. In particular, during the pandemic I started ... My favorite coffee shop has a bench outside, and I would bring my coffee out there because I was avoiding, you know, small spaces and germs- Mm

whatever. Yeah. Uh, but then ever since then I've really enjoyed it. The snow falling, you have a hot steaming cup of coffee. It's really nice. So I ... Yeah, when it's actually snowing- Mm-hmm ... I bet that's almost a romantic- Mm-hmm ... feeling. Totally. Um, but even when it's not, just, like, being in the cold and seeing the cold.

Yeah. Mm-hmm. The fresh air. Mm-hmm. It's nice. I can, I can see that. Mm-hmm. I would rather drink that delicious hot drink under a blanket at home- Fair enough ... looking at the snow falling through my window, but I get it. I get it. It's not for everybody. It's not for everyone. No.

[00:20:18] Snowshoe Plans and Wrap-Up

Well, Larissa, we have to plan a time soon where you and I can go snowshoeing- Yes

so you can try it out. Yes. Followed by nice, warm hot chocolate at my place. Inside. We'll compromise. That sounds perfect. I'm looking forward to it. Ah, it sounds great. Thanks for listening to another episode. Find us on Instagram or YouTube to join the conversation.