It’s hard to believe, but winter is a tough sell for a lot of people. The fleeting daylight hours and plummeting temperatures, the need to bundle up in layer after layer, the blinding snowstorms—it doesn’t work for them. They want to grumble away into a dark cave and hibernate. And yet it’s perfectly possible to turn the constraints of winter into cozy comforts. The Danes, for instance, have long since figured it out. For them, winter is the high season for a special kind of well-being they call hygge.

With its extreme weather, winter is often the most dreaded time of year. But that same weather also provides an opportunity to enjoy special and memorable activities. To make the most of the season despite the cold, here are some suggested activities you won’t want to miss. Get out your tuque, scarf, and mittens—it’s time to play in the snow!

Getting sick or having an accident is beyond disconcerting, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar country or don’t speak the language. Fortunately your Blue Cross^® travel insurance includes a reliable, globally recognized medical assistance service that’s there for you wherever you are and whenever you need it.