A few weeks ago, after glancing at my family’s shared Google calendar, I felt a twinge of disappointment.
I scrolled through the coming weeks and saw very few entries that felt special. Mostly, it was the steady rhythm of everyday life: school drop-off, volunteer shifts, church commitments, practices penciled neatly into their recurring slots.

I caught myself thinking, Ugh. January and February are so hard. I wanted Christmas back — when something festive seemed to happen every other day. Or summer, when festivals and late nights spill over into one another and the calendar feels crowded in the best way.

Then — because I’ve had a lot of practice doing this — I stopped myself.

“I need a new way to think about this.” I thought. “What if this is the perfect moment when life slows enough to notice what’s always here”

With fewer “special events” competing for attention, there is room to enjoy Minot as it is — not dressed up for a holiday, not bursting at the seams with summer energy, just steady and present. And then another thought followed close behind, “This might actually be the perfect time to try something I’ve never done before.”

So, I played a quiet game of “never have I ever” with myself. I made a short list of winter activities I’d lived alongside for years but never tried. Then I shared that list on Hey Minot, a social media channel I run to help others embrace life in North Dakota.

The video gained traction, and lots of fun comments followed.

People chimed in with ideas they’d always wanted to try but hadn’t — or things they enjoy, and thought I might, too. The enthusiasm was contagious, and honestly, the ideas were too good not to share.

If you’ve been feeling a little restless during these in-between winter weeks — after the holidays but before spring — consider this permission slip to experiment.

Here are a few local winter experiences mentioned that you may want to investigate.

Sled hockey with Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports.
This free program welcomes adaptive and able-bodied athletes, ages 18 and up. No experience is required, and all equipment is provided. Games are held Wednesday nights from 8:45 to 10 p.m. at the MAYSA Arena. It’s fast-paced, welcoming, and surprisingly fun to watch — even if you’re just there to see what it’s all about.

Kick sledding.
If you’ve never seen one, a kick sled looks like a chair mounted on steel runners, propelled scooter-style by the rider. Kick sleds are available at several North Dakota state parks, including Fort Stevenson near Garrison and Lake Metigoshe near Bottineau. It’s a simple, old-school way to get outside without committing to a full workout.

Fat-tire biking.
Fat-tire bikes — with their oversized tires — are designed to glide over snow and uneven terrain. Rentals are available at several state parks, with Fort Stevenson being the closest option to Minot. They’re surprisingly beginner-friendly and a great way to enjoy cycling in winter.

Ice fishing.
You don’t need to own a truck or an auger to try it. A quick search will turn up rental options near Lake Sakakawea, and even outfitters who will handle the logistics. Minot Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation also rents equipment.

Cross-country skiing.
Skis are available for rent right here in Minot through the Parks Department at the Corbett Field warming house. Trails exist in town, with additional options at state parks throughout the region.

Snowshoeing.
Also rentable at Corbett Field, snowshoes offer an easy, quiet way to explore winter trails without needing special skills.

Outdoor skating.
Minot maintains several outdoor rinks, many with warming houses where skates can be rented for just $2. Skating is also available downtown at Citizens Alley, with rentals for $5.

Downhill skiing or tubing.
Bottineau Winter Park and Huff Hills offer both, with equipment rentals available on-site. Tubing is also offered locally at Souris Valley Golf Course on Saturdays through Minot Parks.

None of these activities are about becoming an expert or checking off a bucket list. They’re about curiosity — about letting winter be something we participate in rather than endure.

These months may lack the sparkle of December or the ease of July, but they offer something else: space. Space to try, to notice, to shift the story we tell ourselves about where we live and how we’re living.

Instead of focusing on what winter takes away, maybe we can ask what it leaves room for — and step into that, one small experiment at a time.

Next week I’ll move from exploring new experiences, to exploring ways we can better love ourselves. Cornerstone Chiropractic will be helping me out, and the ideas might not be what you’d expect.

For more on enjoying life in North Dakota, join me online at amyallender.com or on social media @heyminot.