Snowy outdoor activities in Toronto let you chill outdoors with your friends all winter long instead of hibernating. These unique ideas will let you get out and have fun, and they're better than just walking around in the slush downtown.

Here are my picks for snowy outdoor activities in and around Toronto to do with friends this winter.

Go night skating

There are several rinks in Toronto that are great for a nighttime skate. Smaller community rinks leave the spotlights on late, and then there are places like Nathan Phillips Square and the Harbourfront Centre that not only have coloured lights around the ice, but also music to keep you moving.

Feel like you're flying while snow kiting

The Toronto Kite Club isn't just for breezy summer days. You can rent equipment from them all year long to feel like you're flying. In the winter, you can fly across frozen ponds thanks to a large parachute that acts like a sail.

Cross country ski on the Toronto Islands

Cross country skiing will let you explore the Islands without hoards of tourists. There are trails spread all across the Islands for cross country skiers so you can peacefully ignore the city for a couple of hours while working those glutes.

Go backcountry snowshoeing

Coronation and Battery Park trail can be found just east of Ontario Place along the Martin Goodman Trail. It's right along the water and enveloped by rings of maple trees. It's not a very challenging trail, and that's what makes it perfect for snowshoeing. Take the TTC all the way down Bathurst and walk down to the park to float over the lakeside snow trail. You can easily rent snowshoes from MEC on King Street.

Hop on a Parkbus and explore nearby winter wonders

Parkbus is a pretty amazing service that allows you to escape the city for the day, a weekend or even a month. Winter trips start in January and give downtowners a chance to get outside and explore a place they never would have dreamed of going. Hop on the bus and they'll take you to trails at the Elora Gorge, Rockwood or Albion Hills, often with guided tours from companies like Overhang Adventures.

Thanks to Baci Perugina for sponsoring this post.