The Off-Season VC Family Fun List
When winter melts into spring and the skis go back into storage, families often ask us, "So… what do we do now?"
The answer: plenty.
Because the VC spirit isn't just a winter thing, it's a joy thing. A confidence thing. A "try something new" thing. The energy, laughter, and sense of adventure that fills our festival villages doesn't disappear when the snow melts. It just finds new ways to shine.
Here's your official Off-Season VC Family Fun List to help you carry that mountain magic into the sunny months ahead.
1. Make a Backyard "Mini Challenge" Course
Transform your yard into a personal adventure zone. Cones, chalk lines, jump ropes, hula hoops, anything works. The beauty of a backyard challenge course is that it grows with your family's creativity.
Start simple: create a zigzag path with sidewalk chalk, add a balance beam (a 2x4 board works perfectly), set up a few cones for weaving, and designate a "finish line" with pool noodles or ribbon.
Kids can time each other, invent their own challenges, or simply enjoy the satisfaction of completing the course. Some families we know have turned this into a weekly tradition, with each family member designing their own section.
The best part? Confidence doesn't need snow. It just needs space to grow.
2. Start a Family Adventure Journal
Winter stories deserve to live beyond photo albums, and summer adventures deserve their own special place too. A family adventure journal becomes a treasure chest of shared memories.
Have each family member add entries throughout the warmer months:
- A trail explored
- A new playground discovered
- A funny picnic mishap
- A brave moment someone tried
- An unexpected wildlife sighting
- A perfect sunset from a favorite spot
Let kids draw pictures, paste in ticket stubs, or tape in pressed flowers. Parents can add photos and write short stories about the day's adventures. By the time winter returns, you'll have a beautiful collection of warm-weather memories to balance out those snowy race day albums.
3. Host a DIY Race Bib Craft Night
This one's a crowd-pleaser every single time. Gather markers, stickers, glitter (if you dare), and cereal box cardboard. Kids love turning their creativity into something wearable, and honestly, the concentration on their faces while they design is pure magic.
Create number templates, let them choose their "racing names," and encourage wild creativity. We've seen kids make bibs for family pets, stuffed animals, and even their scooters. The key is to make it completely their own vision.
And yes: homemade bibs absolutely count for scooter races, bike rides, or backyard obstacle courses. Some families even save their creations for winter, bringing their custom bibs to VC events the following season.
4. Take "Adventure Walks" in Your Neighborhood
Nothing fancy required. Just walk in a direction you usually don't take. The goal isn't exercise or destination: it's discovery.
Notice flowers blooming in yards you've never really looked at. Count different types of dogs you encounter. Pick your favorite mailbox design. Challenge kids to spot five different colors, three interesting sounds, or one thing that makes them smile.
Adventure is mostly curiosity, and curiosity can happen anywhere: even on the street you've driven down hundreds of times.
5. Practice Weekly "Bravery Moments"
This tradition keeps the VC courage-building spirit alive all year long. Each week, ask your kids: "What brave thing do you want to try this week?"
The brave thing might be:
- Trying a new food at dinner
- Calling a friend to make plans
- Jumping off the diving board
- Speaking up in class
- Attempting a harder bike trail
- Ordering their own meal at a restaurant
Celebrate these moments the same way you celebrated their first ski race: with enthusiasm, pride, and the understanding that bravery grows best in tiny, consistent doses.
6. Build a VC Memory Box
This project becomes more meaningful every season. Start with a simple box: wooden, plastic, or even a decorated shoebox works perfectly. Fill it with bibs, medals, photos, ticket stubs, and any tiny treasures from race days.
Add to it throughout the off-season: drawings of favorite VC moments, printed emails from the crew, or even a small pine cone from the mountain. The goal is creating a physical collection of joy that you can open together on the first cold day of fall.
Trust us: instant winter excitement, every single time.
7. Connect With the VC Community Online
Our off-season doesn't stop the cheering. The VC community stays active all year, sharing summer adventures, posting favorite winter memories, and watching for behind-the-scenes surprises.
Kids feel more confident when they feel connected, and seeing familiar faces from race days pop up in your social feeds keeps that sense of belonging alive. Plus, you'll get sneak peeks at what we're planning for the upcoming season: and sometimes, special summer surprises.
8. Plan Your Next VC Trip Together
Never underestimate the power of anticipation. Kids absolutely love being part of the planning process, and dreaming together builds excitement that carries through the entire off-season.
Ask fun "next winter" questions around the dinner table:
- "What mountain should we visit first?"
- "What should our family hot cocoa tradition be?"
- "Should we make our own race bibs this year?"
- "Which friends should we invite to join us?"
Let kids circle mountains on maps, research lodge menus, or even design team shirts for your family. The anticipation keeps the magic alive until winter returns, and gives everyone something to look forward to during those long summer days.
Your Adventure Continues
The truth is, VC families don't just participate in winter events: they live the spirit year-round. They try new things, celebrate small wins, stay curious, and support each other through every season.
Whether you're building obstacle courses in July or planning next winter's adventures in August, you're keeping that mountain magic alive. And when the first snow flies, you'll be ready to bring all that off-season joy right back to the slopes.
Want more off-season fun ideas? Join our email list for activities, updates, and family inspiration.