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Writer's pictureJenna Goldberg

Let's Normalize Outdoor Alternatives to Traditional Holidays


Woman snowboarding on Thanksgiving Day
Photo: Instagram/caribbeancarrie

Many people love celebrating the holidays the traditional way: Thanksgiving brings the family together to indulge in a feast and Christmas is spent exchanging gifts with loved ones in a home decorated with stockings and a Christmas tree. But traditional holiday celebrations aren't for everyone.


Some of us have lost our loved ones, some years we won't be home for the holidays, and not everyone enjoys getting into the holiday spirit. Ladies who won't be having a traditional holiday can feel awkward, isolated and lonely during this time, whether they are choosing to opt out or have no one to share it with.


Skipping Thanksgiving, Christmas and other staple holidays isn't so simple when we're given time off work, school, and most restaurants and shops are closed. While the rest of the world is consumed with something we don't feel included in, the outdoors is always there for us.


My Thanksgiving tradition is snowboarding solo. With no family obligations on turkey day, I take advantage of uncrowded runs at my local ski resort as the season kicks off. Each year my heart is filled with gratitude to be able to enjoy the outdoor activity that I love more than anything.


I try not to share my plans with others, but of course, friendly people ask what your plans are for the holiday. Whenever I tell someone I'm snowboarding solo I'm met with a sorrowful response. I'm told that it's sad I'll be all alone and don't I have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving? as if going to the mountain didn't count.

Doing what you love and what makes you happy and healthy is never a bad decision, no matter what day of year it is

After years of explaining my untraditional plans to others, I now understand that choosing an outdoor alternative on a day as major as Thanksgiving or Christmas may not be socially acceptable. But doing what you love and what makes you happy and healthy is never a bad decision, no matter what day of year it is.


Although I haven't met anyone, I assumed there are other women who choose an outdoor alternative to celebrating holidays the traditional way. Even those with family within driving distance can be overwhelmed at the idea of sitting in traffic or braving the airport while the rest of the world piles on the road at the same time.


After Thanksgiving I was scrolling through my phone when I came across a woman's Instagram post. It was a photo of her with her husband and two kids at their campsite and a caption about how she took her family camping instead of eating turkey that Thanksgiving.


She shared that one of her kids asked her if they could go camping instead of celebrating Thanksgiving and she thought why not? Her kids love camping and with winter on its way, they weren't ready to pack it up for the season. The mom of two broke tradition and packed up their camping gear instead.


Are you planning on skipping out on traditional holiday plans? While the restaurants may be closed, many of the mountain ski resorts are open. When you feel like you have no where to go, the open trails call out to be explored, running, hiking, and biking in the fresh, cold air. When everyone else is surrounded by holiday cheer and loved ones, our love of the outdoors warms our heart with beautiful views, waterfalls, snow, and so much more.


Here's social proof that other women are opting for an outdoor alternative over a traditional holiday experience


Camping with her Husband and Dogs on Thanksgiving

Rebecca Lentz loves exploring the outdoors in her home state of Arkansas, and is a helluva fisherwoman! On Thanksgiving Day she and her husband went camping with their dogs.


Trail Running on Turkey Day

Ultra-runner, trainer, and nutritionist Abby Storer took her dog on a beautiful trail run on Thanksgiving Day, visiting the water and getting some miles in. Abby is an outdoor enthusiast based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She believes that genuine happiness includes practicing healthy habits, including running during the holidays.

Abby has designed her life around doing what she loves: coaching her clients to achieve their fitness and nutrition goals and competing as an ultra-runner. She also has a podcast that she shares her passion for endurance sports called Eighth Lane Endurance.


Christmas Day Hike in Hawai'i

Hawaiians don't dream of a white Christmas, they embrace island life year-round! Sarah Padrutt spent Christmas conquering the Haiku Stairs, nicknamed the "Staircase to Heaven." The trail was originally created by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Service members built a path of wooden stairs up to the high point to transmit radio communications.


Haiku Stairs has somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 stairs, making it an exhausting natural stair master that will leave your legs sore for days after. Here Sarah says goodbye to the Stairway to Heaven on O'ahu, as the iconic staircase popular with hikers is being dismantled by the city. The staircase had been blocked off, but that didn't stop thrill-seeking hikers from taking on the challenge.


Snowboarding on Thanksgiving

Carrie Cameron Hall went snowboarding on Thanksgiving and wouldn't have it any other way. Typically a warm weather babe as a swimwear designer and bikini shop owner, Carrie still loves winter and shredding powder!

Although it sounds like everyone would be on the mountain skiing and snowboarding on the holidays, that's not the case! Many people are traveling and enjoying their holiday plans with family, leaving many ski resorts uncrowded and runs wide open. Some resorts even offer lift ticket discounts on holidays.


Mince pies and Christmas day bike rides

Aoife Glass loves spending time outdoors and won't pass up a day of biking, even on Christmas. She took a slice a mince pie with her, because life is all about balance! Finding time to get outdoors and move during the busy holiday season can be a helpful reminder to take good care of yourself.

With holiday parties, traveling, cooking, shopping and more stacked into a few months it's easy for your self care and health routines to fall to the bottom of your to-do list. Whether it's a walk down the street or hitting the trail on your bike, taking just 20 minutes can be a literal breath of fresh air.


Christmas Day Hike in Oregon

After moving from Oregon to Arizona, outdoor enthusiast Kya Knuth missed the lush landscape of the Pacific northwest. She took a Christmas Day hike to soak in her old stomping grounds and visited a gorgeous waterfall.

Taking a serene hike and being immersed in the sounds of nature is a great way to find peace and calm during the busy holiday season. Exploring trails while visiting family is a great way to maintain a healthy routine when your schedule may be thrown off.



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