Winter Might be the Best Time for Parkour

Winter is a special time for parkour. We are part of a long tradition of all-weather activities: hiking, running, mountain biking, cycling, team sports, and so on. Being active outdoors is one of the best ways to boost your mood and energy. Why stop in the winter, when it’s needed most?

Many students discover a unique sense of camaraderie during the winter months. Winter parkour is like an adventure—getting from point A to point B just became much more interesting! Students connect over these shared challenges, uplifting and supporting each other as they grow.

Practicing parkour in the winter builds resilience and a positive mindset. At the season’s end, our students emerge victorious, having improved their skills, deepened their friendships, and conquered their internal obstacles!

How do you keep it safe in the rain?

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao

Safety is our number one focus, and winter gives us even more opportunities to work on this. Students who practice parkour in all conditions tend to be safer and more confident in their movement.

In class, we teach students how to carefully assess risk, test each surface, and scale their movements appropriately. There are many creative solutions to challenges, and we support each student in finding their own path. 

Additionally, all of our coaches are first aid/CPR certified and carry first aid kits.

What happens when it gets dark?

Darkness holds an additional element of adventure. Dusk inspires us to play stealth games, improve our balance, and practice footwork safety. It takes about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. We move more cautiously at the beginning. By about halfway through class, students discover their sight has adapted and are able to move more confidently. We are a bit like superheroes!

For safety, coaches choose spots with some lighting available. We also have lanterns for areas with too little light.

Ok, I’m interested! What should I wear?

Since we coach parkour year-round, we asked our coaches! Read our coaches’ recommendations here: Best Gear to Keep You Training Parkour All Winter.

At a minimum, students should wear a rain jacket, layers, and hats/gloves/scarves as needed. Waterproof shoes and/or socks are strongly recommended. Youth students can wear rain boots, as they often like to splash in the puddles. An umbrella may help keep students dry during rest breaks. Read more FAQs.

Picture this…

You step outside and inhale the crisp air. You breath out a fine mist into the sunlight (winter isn’t always dark and dreary!). Ice crystals begin to form on your scarf, but they melt as soon as you begin moving. Layers are discarded, the body relaxes, and you find yourself immersed in the joy of parkour. Too soon, class is over. It’s back to normal life. But you can come back next week!

We can’t wait to see you! Register now for winter parkour classes.

Portland: Kids classes • Adult classes
Seattle: Kids classes • Adult classes

What if a student gets too cold or wet?

The number one cause of being too cold is not being dressed properly for the weather. Make sure to wear layers and appropriate rain gear. (See above for more suggestions.)

On colder days, classes often begin with an active warm-up to get students heated quickly and sprinkle in heart-rate raising games throughout the class to stay warm. It’s hard to learn with a cold body. Warm students make the class safer and more fun.

Coaches monitor students for signs of being too cold, such as shivering or huddling, cold hands, or not wanting to participate. If a coach suspects a student is too cold, they will move the class to a warm, dry area if possible. We also have emergency blankets and hand warmers.

For youth students, coaches will call the parent to pick up a child if the child cannot warm up.

Do you ever cancel classes due to inclement weather (snow, ice)?

Sometimes Mother Nature makes it unsafe to hold parkour classes. Heavy snow or ice are the main culprits in the Seattle and Portland winters. As much as we love playing in the snow,  if the students or coach cannot safely travel, we will cancel class without reimbursement. Your registration fee continues to fund our ongoing expenses so we can keep offering classes. Your support is much appreciated!

What is your refund policy?

Refunds are available up to one week prior to class start date. No refunds will be issued after class starts. Credit may be issued on a case-by-case basis.

Register now for winter parkour classes!

Portland: Kids classes • Adult classes
Seattle: Kids classes • Adult classes