My First Winter in Canada: Snow, Kids, and Life-Changing Adventures

Fifteen years ago, we landed in Canada with four kids—and I was pregnant with our fifth. As you can imagine, it wasn’t exactly a smooth landing… but it was unforgettable.

Coming from Mexico City, I had never seen snow before—let alone felt the bitter cold of -30 degrees. What a shock! But being married to Ernesto—an adventurer at heart—the one thing that was certain was that we were not going to hibernate all winter. And I’m deeply grateful for that. I’ve met people who spend the season hidden indoors or wandering aimlessly through shopping malls, hoping for a glimpse of joy. That sounded depressing to me.

When the adventure starts with the wrong clothes

One of our first brave actions was to go buy what we thought was “good winter gear.” It worked well for sliding in the snow, sure… but the day we hiked up a mountain, we realized we were completely unprepared. We ended up frozen solid, snow in our ears, soaked socks, and kids curled up in little shivering balls.

But the views we saw… were worth every frozen toe.

The mountains from the schoolbooks—now in real life

What we had only seen in our childhood geography books was suddenly right in front of us. The Canadian Rockies. Seeing them from the highway, covered in snow, towering and majestic… is something I’ll never forget.

And once we started walking—feeling the crunch of snow beneath our boots, throwing ourselves into the drifts, making snow angels at every turn—that’s when I understood why nature is transformative.

I call it “the white silence,” that moment high up in the mountains when everything stands still. From up there, you see endless mountain ranges, ice bridges, pine trees laden with snow. And it’s in that cold embrace, under that vast sky, that you start to find yourself. That’s where the best conversations begin. First with yourself, then with your children, your partner, with God.

And little by little, we began to discover the Rockies… and to rediscover ourselves as a family.

How Dare & Explore began its Canadian adventures

It was during those early winters, walking among snow and pine trees, that Dare & Explore began its journey in a new country. We had already shared unforgettable experiences with families in Mexico, but now we were facing a totally new landscape—colder, whiter, but just as full of possibilities.

The values that have always been at the heart of Dare & Explore—family, nature, and meaningful adventure—remained just as important here, in the Rockies.

Since then, we’ve kept exploring, growing, and helping other families discover everything Canada has to offer—not just in landscapes, but in real opportunities for connection, growth, and transformation.

What if discomfort is part of the plan?

Our first snowy adventures were pretty calm. We were just figuring things out. But of course, not everything was magical.

There were days when a child’s fingers froze or someone broke down in tears. And in those moments of frustration and laughter, we realized something:Adventure is not always comfortable.And that’s okay.

As a family coach, I can confidently say: the experiences that shape us the most are the ones that push us out of our comfort zones.

That’s when patience, teamwork, empathy, leadership, and resilience show up.

And what better classroom for these life skills than the mountains, the snow, the forest?

Family Winter in Canada Tips: How to survive and thrive

Here are a few practical tips I learned through trial and error—useful if you want to make winter an opportunity for growth as a family:

1. Invest in good winter gear. Thermal layers, proper socks, waterproof gloves—they make all the difference, especially with young kids.

2. Choose short, scenic trails. It’s not about reaching the summit—it’s about enjoying the journey. A nearby forest, a safe trail, and a good snack make the perfect plan.

3. Use walks to spark conversations. At home, your kids may say little—but get them into the woods, and their hearts often open. Walking encourages thinking and talking.

4. Don’t aim for perfection—go for authenticity. One kid cries, another loses a glove, someone needs a bathroom break. That’s life! Embrace the messy beauty.

5. End the day with something warm. Hot chocolate, soup, reading together in pajamas—these quiet moments are just as valuable as the wild ones.

What we truly plant

Looking back, I see how every snowy walk planted something deep in our children.Confidence. Love for nature. Effort. Openness. Gratitude.Even something as simple as walking into a warm house after a cold adventure becomes a lesson in appreciation.

And as a family coach, I can assure you—those seeds grow. Sometimes it takes years. But they grow.

That’s why I love inviting other families into these kinds of experiences. Because I know it’s not just a day trip or a pretty Instagram photo. It’s formation. It’s growth. It’s real life.

Dare & Explore: More than an adventure company

If you’ve made it this far, I want you to know: Dare & Explore is not just another tour company.It’s a space where we believe every adventure is a chance to:

• Reconnect with your loved ones

• Overcome fears

• Discover hidden talents

• Build strong values

• And most of all, create lifelong memories

If you’re looking to step out of routine, share meaningful moments with your kids, have deep conversations in snowy forests, and hike mountains without rushing but with purpose—join us.

And if you’d also like to work on parenting, family connection, or healthy habits more intentionally, I’d be happy to support you as a family coach.Because everything is connected: nature, relationships, challenges, and growth.

Thanks for reading!If you found this blog helpful, share it with families who want to live the adventure consciously.And if you’d like to receive tips, trail recommendations, and family reflections, subscribe to our newsletter at dareandexplore.com and follow us on social media.

The next adventure might start with a hike… or with a conversation.See you in the mountains!

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