With the winter weather firmly setting in and the potential for snow becoming a likelier prospect by the day, thoughts will most certainly be turning towards winter activities. While the biting cold temperatures in Edmonton might render outdoors activities highly improbable, there are many alternatives for family fun at home which also bring the outdoors to you.

Taking Advantage of Digital Delights

Thanks to rapid advancements in technology and software, digital devices and innovations stemming from them can come to the rescue this winter. Over the past years, we have witnessed the rise of many new phenomenon that will continue to shape the entertainment industry in the future.

Activities such as online casino, online sports betting, and Esports are currently hot topics in Canada and suited to the cold months, and with ski resorts around Alberta beginning to welcome locals and tourists into their establishments, the conversations around going skiing might grow louder. However, there is another piece of innovative tech that is finally emerging into the mainstream that can be enjoyed by all the family.

Carve Through the Snow in VR

Virtual Reality (VR) is another product of the digital revolution that is growing in recognition due to the multi-functionality of a virtual reality headset. The applications of virtual reality are manifold and can be used in many different settings, in education, tourism, healthcare, and entertainment. It is the application in the latter industry that is gaining most attention with virtual reality starting to align better with gaming.

And for the winter months, there is a way to go skiing, without setting foot outside. In fact, you can do it right in your living room. VR cross country skiing is receiving many plaudits for its impact not only on the entertainment industry, but also for its benefits on personal health and encouragement of physical activity. By taking to the virtual cross-country courses, you can not only enjoy a short workout, but you can also get the competitive juices flowing by taking on other fellow VR cross country skiers to beat them to the finish line.

Find the Best Cross-Country Skier in the Family

Local Edmontonians are blessed with the luxury of having so many ski resorts in the local vicinity. However, skiing tends to come at a price, generally a high one, but by investing instead in a VR headset, there is a way to enjoy skiing without breaking the bank for travel, lodging, and equipment. Furthermore, VR cross country skiing brings benefits for all ages. For infants, they can learn the basic technique of skiing in a safe environment, and for adults, there is the aforementioned health benefit, but also the added advantage of having another activity for those family gatherings.

Although some family members might hide it well, competition within the family is an aspect every family has in common. Like those who bet online on cross country skiing, there is the potential to create leaderboards and ranking systems, or even make a personal wager with an arch rival in the family. And if none of that floats your boat, then you can just sit back and watch the hilarity of your Mum, cousin, or Grandad try to virtually work his or her way through the snow.

Delve into the Digital

Whether you take to the physical slopes or not, there is no debating the emergence of VR tech in the world. Many interested parties are put off by the cost of a headset, but with a lot more to come from VR in the future, headsets can be considered an investment as opposed to an expense. After years of tweaking, VR seems set to finally land, and if you are a skiing enthusiast too, “free to play” games are an effective way to assess your ability at cross country skiing and take bragging rights within the family.