Winter provides unique opportunities for student participation in outdoor physical activities that support physical literacy, well-being, and appreciation to the outdoor environment. Winter activities should be planned with all students in mind, these can range from more traditional winter activities (e.g., skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing), outdoor activities (e.g., winter camping), or bringing physical activities to the outdoors (e.g., tag-games, low-organizational games). At the same time, winter conditions introduce additional safety considerations. Thoughtful planning, clear instruction, and confident decision-making are essential to supporting safe winter physical activity opportunities.
When you are planning outdoor winter physical activities make sure you:
Check your School Board Policies and Procedures:
School Board Policies and Procedures provide direction related to the use of local weather sources as well as specific roles, responsibilities, communication, transportation, and documentation when planning and supervising outdoor winter physical activities.
Use Activity-Specific Safety Standards and Checklists
A key element of planning safe winter physical activities is to:
follow the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE); and
use the Sample Guiding Question Checklist when planning outdoor winter activities for students with disabilities.
OPASSE activity-specific safety standards support educators in making informed, consistent decisions that prioritize student safety while enabling meaningful participation. The safety standards provide direction related to:
the clothing and footwear appropriate for winter conditions, including footwear that supports traction, warmth, and safe participation.
activity-appropriate equipment (e.g., skis, skates, snowshoes) and protective equipment (e.g., helmets) required to participate in the activity.
the outdoor facilities being used (e.g., school field, community facility, ski resort) and environmental considerations (e.g., extreme weather, protocols to manage change in conditions).
progressive activity-specific skill development and ongoing safety instruction.
the level and type of supervision and monitoring required to support safe participation.
Access OPASSE Tools and Resources
OPASSE Tools and Resources section provides information to support planning for outdoor winter activities. Winter-relevant resources include guidance related to cold temperatures, wind conditions, and the UV Index, which can be used to assess exposure risks and determine appropriate activity modifications.