How P.E.I. residents embrace winter activities amid changing seasons
- Judith Mendiolea Lelo de Larrea
- Feb 6, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 27, 2025
(This story was originally published by The Guardian on Feb. 6, 2025)
Ryan Merritt never expected that running in the dead of winter would become one of his favourite pastimes.
He started running at age seven with his dad, but they would normally stop their runs during the coldest months.
About five years ago, that changed.
Merritt, now manager of the Charlottetown Running Room, experienced his first winter run with the store’s running group.
“Seeing 20-plus people out there even when it was snowy and messy motivated me to give it a try —and I haven’t stopped since,” Merritt said.
Across P.E.I., outdoor activities in winter are helping Islanders stay active and beat seasonal isolation.
From the Alzheimer Society’s walking groups to Charlottetown Yoga Space’s snow yoga sessions, these initiatives encourage people to embrace the cold.
But with unpredictable weather patterns in recent years, adapting winter traditions has become a challenge.
Navigating the changing winters
Winters in P.E.I. are becoming increasingly unpredictable due to climate change.
A 2022 report by Environment Canada shows that average winter temperatures in the Maritimes have risen by 1.6 C over the past century, leading to fewer snow days and more rainfall. This shift is forcing Islanders to rethink traditional outdoor activities, with organizers adapting to rain and icy conditions.
“We’ve had lots of fun in the past with Flow in the Snow,” said Erika Killam, co-owner of Charlottetown Yoga Space. “But the last couple of years have proved more difficult with weather — no snow is not great for anything that’s meant to be ‘in the snow.’”
The Alzheimer Society has also noticed a shift. While its walking group continues year-round, winter attendance has fluctuated.
“In the summer, we get more visitors — people who are here for their cottages — and they join the walking group for a few months. Winter is quieter, but still, we get a good turnout,” said co-ordinator Bronwyn Spenceley.
Spenceley explained that adapting to milder winters has meant focusing on accessible trails that are safe in rain or icy conditions.
“We’ve had to cancel walks occasionally because of freezing rain, but we’re committed to finding ways to keep the group running no matter what the weather brings.”
Benefits of outdoor activities
Despite the challenges, participants and organizers agree that outdoor activities in winter offer unique mental and physical health benefits.
“The whole purpose of the walking group is to address social isolation and promote brain health,” Spenceley said. “Walking is a good way to do both.”
Physical activity, particularly in natural light, is known to reduce symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and improve mood.
Studies also show that exposure to cold weather boosts circulation and endurance, making outdoor activities like running and walking even more rewarding.
A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that exercising in colder climates enhances metabolic efficiency and oxygen delivery to muscles, improving overall endurance and cardiovascular health.
Other groups, like the Coasting Running Club, benefit from social time after each run, enjoying local coffee at the farmer’s market.
“I love to run in the winter because when you get to running in the spring, you don’t have to start all over again,” said Emma Adams co-founder of the club. “When you have a good group, it’s just going out and enjoying the sunshine in the winter… it’s social, you get your body moving.”
For Merritt, winter running provides a mental reset.
“I can be having a horrible day, go for a run, and it doesn’t fix everything, but it makes you feel a lot better and think clearer,” he said.
Connecting through movement
The social aspect of these activities is just as important as the exercise itself. Spenceley highlighted how the walking group fosters connections, especially for seniors.
“Volunteers get safety training because they’re responsible for a group. They also get dementia-specific training to know what to do if someone gets lost or disoriented,” she said.
Meanwhile, Merritt sees the camaraderie of running as a driving force behind its popularity.
“The running community is super supportive. Even in races, while there’s some competitiveness, at the end of the day, everyone wants to see each other succeed,” he said.
At Study Abroad Canada Institute, English teacher Scott Douris uses winter activities like skating to help international students integrate into life on the Island.
“There’s a lot we can learn from textbooks, but actually getting outside, speaking English, and interacting with people gives students a chance to see the language in action,” Douris said.
He recalled one student’s transformation during a skating outing.
“She was so scared to skate, she wouldn’t let go of my arm. By the end, we had to pull her off the ice because she didn’t want to leave,” he said.
As Islanders navigate changing winters, the importance of adapting outdoor activities remains clear.
Whether it’s running, walking, or yoga in the snow, these initiatives are about more than just exercise —they’re about building connections and finding joy, even in the coldest months.
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