I don't need no stinkin' gym membership.  Making a snow mountain, sledding track and igloo is a full body workout :)  And the bonus is my kids get to have fun on the fruits of my labor!

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/7z7fcO6v-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/7z7fcO6v-image.png)
*@thingone & @thingtwo, kings of the mountain*

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I have been constructing and maintaining a little sledding hill in the pasture behind our place.  I started after a good snowfall by rolling up a bunch of huge snow balls (about 4' in diameter or so) and pushing them together, then packing snow around and on top of them.  

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/PH6xPwhg-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/PH6xPwhg-image.png)

After the initial giant balls phase (hmmm that may not have come out of my mouth right ;) most of the construction has been with bricks of compacted snow.  I shovel snow into this blue tub and my big helpers jump up and down inside the tub to pack it down for me.  A smaller snow brick like the above probably only weighs about 40 pounds or so, but when I pack the tub full it is *heavy*.  

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/6YXhCCGr-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/6YXhCCGr-image.png)
*@thingtwo particularly likes helping me pack the snow down, I think he enjoys being taller than @thingone :)*

Just for fun, I always do a curl up with the tub of snow to chest level and then press it up over my head with arms extended while I walk it back to the snow mountain.  I try to do reps of pushing it up and down above my head while I walk, although with the heaviest loads sometimes just holding it above my head is enough of a workout.

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/tuvkgclE-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/tuvkgclE-image.png)
*Planking!*

The tub is an awkward shape with large diameter and smooth rounded edges even at the bottom.  Just picking it up with snow gloves on is a fun challenge!  Then I have to put it back down under control to avoid breaking the snow brick up on impact with the ground.  I am telling you, this is an amazing full body workout.  

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/QNdY8cyW-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/QNdY8cyW-image.png)

It is pretty cool inside the igloo ;)  The sound is muffled and strange, and it is very peaceful to lay back and look out at the snow covered mountainside.  I am 5'8" and I can just stretch out head to toe fully inside the igloo.  

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/dpCniNTf-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/dpCniNTf-image.png)
*Halfway through igloo construction - yes I used the giant balls technique for the base layer of the igloo as well.  Giant balls are surprisingly versatile!*

One awesome benefit of getting my full body workout in the back pasture with my kids is the breathtaking sunsets we get to enjoy.  This is a significant upgrade from the views inside any gym I have ever visited :)

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/sqgADTM6-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/sqgADTM6-image.png)

The sunsets paint the mountains glorious hues of peach and yellow.

[![image.png](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/wbPPMRzW-image.png)](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/wbPPMRzW-image.png)

And there is a horse, of course.
![dat horse](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/carlgnash/EElLLmt7-DSC_8110-ANIMATION.gif)