Join Ariannita and two guest teachers as they explore winter activities around Cincinnati, from skating and tubing to a Christmas market and ski slopes. Learn practical language for asking about reservations, rentals, prices, equipment, and joining seasonal events, while noticing which details depend on the venue or conditions.
Read the full lesson summary
Outdoor Winter Activities in English 🏂🎿 is a guided community & services lesson for English learners who want to understand and use language in this real-life situation. The short description introduces the lesson; this expanded guide draws its details from the transcript and its phrase notes, so it focuses on what this particular video actually covers rather than a generic channel overview.
What the lesson covers
The lesson moves through Introducing winter activities and ice skating; Checking in, reserving, and paying; First-time skating and collecting rental skates; Lacing skates and getting onto the ice; Trying skating, then returning the rental skates; Getting warm and joining seasonal events; Comparing sledding and tubing prices; and further related moments. Following that sequence helps learners connect each expression to what the speakers are doing, asking, or responding to, instead of memorizing vocabulary as a disconnected list. Listen for how the meaning changes with the situation and how the speaker's wording keeps the exchange moving.
Language to take away
right now — At the present moment, or immediately in this context. Neutral everyday English; can create a sense of immediacy.Use it when: Explain that you are paying or taking an action at this moment.When it may not fit: If you mean later rather than immediately, say when you plan to do it.Example: “I can check the schedule for you right now.”
come along with me — Invites someone to accompany the speaker. Friendly and conversational.Use it when: Invite a friend or audience to join you on an outing or walkthrough.When it may not fit: For a formal invitation, give the plan and ask directly whether the person is available.Example: “Come along with me to the market, and I’ll show you the best stalls.”
to be honest — Signals that the speaker is about to give a candid opinion or personal reaction. Conversational; can gently soften a disagreement, though it may also imply unusual candor.Use it when: Share a sincere preference or reaction in informal conversation.When it may not fit: Do not use it to imply that other comments were dishonest; in formal contexts, state the point directly.Example: “To be honest, I’d rather take the earlier train.”
A way to use this lesson
Try using “right now” in a sentence about introducing winter activities and ice skating. Replay the relevant moment, then adapt the language to a real conversation you expect to have. Keep the original situation in mind: the goal is not simply to repeat a sentence, but to choose wording that suits the people, purpose, and tone of the exchange.
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Transcript
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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00
Introducing winter activities and ice skating
Hey guys! It's Ariannita la Gringa and welcome back to my YouTube channel. If you saw my latest video about Christmas vocabulary, you know that we're in the month of December and we're in the middle of the winter. it's winter time and in today's video I will teach all of you guys outdoor activities you can do during the winter. And in today's video, I won't be by myself (I am not alone), I am with two English teachers. Come on over guys! Hey! This is William and this is Maria and they are both English teachers and I have a question for both of you
Try it: Try using “right now” in a sentence about introducing winter activities and ice skating.
Phrase cheat sheet
All phrases at a glance
Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.
30 phrases
Showing 30 of 30 phrases
right now
Introducing winter activities and ice skating · expression
At the present moment, or immediately in this context.
Tone and use: Neutral everyday English; can create a sense of immediacy. Explain that you are paying or taking an action at this moment.
May not fit: If you mean later rather than immediately, say when you plan to do it.
Example“I can check the schedule for you right now.”
come along with me
Introducing winter activities and ice skating · expression
Invites someone to accompany the speaker.
Tone and use: Friendly and conversational. Invite a friend or audience to join you on an outing or walkthrough.
May not fit: For a formal invitation, give the plan and ask directly whether the person is available.
Example“Come along with me to the market, and I’ll show you the best stalls.”
to be honest
Introducing winter activities and ice skating · expression
Signals that the speaker is about to give a candid opinion or personal reaction.
Tone and use: Conversational; can gently soften a disagreement, though it may also imply unusual candor. Share a sincere preference or reaction in informal conversation.
May not fit: Do not use it to imply that other comments were dishonest; in formal contexts, state the point directly.
Example“To be honest, I’d rather take the earlier train.”
let me know down below
Checking in, reserving, and paying · expression
Invites viewers to leave a response in the comments area beneath an online video.
Tone and use: Casual creator-to-audience language. Ask an online audience to respond in the comments.
May not fit: In direct conversation, ask the person to tell you or send a message instead.
Example“Let me know down below which winter activity you’d try first.”
make a reservation
Checking in, reserving, and paying · expression
Arrange in advance to secure a place, time, or service.
Tone and use: Neutral and common for restaurants, events, and activities. Ask whether booking ahead is necessary, especially for busy times.
May not fit: Check whether the venue uses reservations, timed tickets, or walk-ins instead.
Example“Should we make a reservation for Saturday afternoon?”
as long as you’re here
Checking in, reserving, and paying · expression
For the duration that you remain at this place; the clerk is saying the skating time has no fixed limit while they are there.
Tone and use: Natural spoken answer; the exact policy depends on the venue. Explain a time limit that is tied to how long a visitor stays at a place.
May not fit: Do not treat it as a universal admission rule; confirm the venue’s current terms.
Example“You can use the study room as long as you’re here.”
piece of advice
First-time skating and collecting rental skates · expression
One recommendation or helpful suggestion; advice is an uncountable noun, so it is a piece of advice rather than an advice.
Tone and use: Neutral and common. Introduce one recommendation before explaining it.
May not fit: If you have several suggestions, say some advice or a few pieces of advice.
Example“A piece of advice: keep a copy of your booking confirmation.”
pick up your skates
First-time skating and collecting rental skates · phrasal verb
Collect your rental skates from the designated counter or area.
Tone and use: Common service and rental language. Ask where to collect equipment that has been rented or reserved.
May not fit: If you mean purchase rather than collect, say buy or purchase the skates.
Example“Where do I pick up my rental skates?”
fall to one side
First-time skating and collecting rental skates · expression
The speaker gives this as a direction for falling while skating; it is oversimplified and should not be treated as complete safety instruction.
Tone and use: Direct, informal advice. Understand what the speaker is suggesting in this lesson, not as a stand-alone technique.
May not fit: Beginners should learn falling and getting up from a qualified skating instructor and follow rink staff guidance; recommended beginner instruction covers safety basics.
Example“Before skating independently, ask an instructor to teach you how to fall and get up safely.”
put on my ice skates
Lacing skates and getting onto the ice · phrasal verb
Place the ice skates on your feet and wear them.
Tone and use: Everyday clothing and equipment language. Describe getting dressed in sports or protective equipment.
May not fit: For attaching boots to bindings, use clip into or fasten rather than put on.
Example“I need to put on my skates before the session starts.”
lace them
Lacing skates and getting onto the ice · expression
Thread and tighten the laces on the skates.
Tone and use: Practical equipment instruction. Talk about tightening footwear that closes with laces.
May not fit: Follow the equipment maker’s or instructor’s fitting advice; do not assume one tightness works for everyone.
Example“Make sure you lace them securely before stepping onto the rink.”
make sure that your feet do not move around
Lacing skates and getting onto the ice · expression
Check that the skates hold the feet securely rather than shifting loosely.
Tone and use: Direct instructional language. Describe checking the fit of footwear or sports equipment.
May not fit: This is not a substitute for proper sizing and safe fitting guidance from rink staff.
Example“Make sure your heel does not move around inside the boot.”
get on the ice
Lacing skates and getting onto the ice · expression
Step onto the ice surface to begin skating.
Tone and use: Common skating language. Talk about entering or starting on an ice surface.
May not fit: Only step onto an open rink at an authorized entry point and follow rink rules.
Example“We can get on the ice after the resurfacing break.”
make sure
Lacing skates and getting onto the ice · expression
Check or take care that something is true or happens.
Tone and use: Common and direct. Emphasize a necessary check or precaution.
May not fit: In a sensitive request, phrase it as a polite reminder rather than an order.
Example“Make sure you have the right ticket before boarding.”
for sure
Trying skating, then returning the rental skates · expression
An informal way to confirm something or express confident agreement; in this sentence it reinforces the speaker’s positive evaluation.
Tone and use: Conversational and emphatic. Agree confidently or add emphasis in casual conversation.
May not fit: In formal writing, use certainly or definitely where appropriate.
Example“I’d go to that exhibit again for sure.”
return my skates
Trying skating, then returning the rental skates · expression
Give rented skates back to the place that provided them.
Tone and use: Neutral customer-service language. Ask where rental equipment should be taken after use.
May not fit: For equipment you own, say put away or store rather than return.
Example“Where should I return my skates when we’re finished?”
check out
Trying skating, then returning the rental skates · phrasal verb
Visit or look at something to see what it is like.
Tone and use: Casual and common. Suggest visiting another activity or attraction.
May not fit: In a hotel or store context, check out can mean pay and leave; clarify from context.
Example“Let’s check out the food stalls before they close.”
keep me nice and warm
Trying skating, then returning the rental skates · expression
Help me stay comfortably warm; nice and intensifies the pleasant result.
Tone and use: Friendly and informal. Describe clothing, a drink, or a place that keeps you comfortably warm.
May not fit: For a serious cold-weather warning, state the temperature or risk clearly.
Example“This insulated coat should keep me nice and warm on the walk.”
dress up as
Getting warm and joining seasonal events · phrasal verb
Wear a costume or special clothes to look like a character or person.
Tone and use: Neutral and common for parties and themed events. Talk about choosing a costume for a celebration.
May not fit: If you mean ordinary clothing rather than a costume, say dress for the occasion.
Example“The kids dressed up as their favorite storybook characters.”
bar crawl
Getting warm and joining seasonal events · expression
A social outing that involves visiting several bars, often with a group.
Tone and use: Informal; the event can involve alcohol and is not for everyone. Describe a planned group outing between bars, sometimes with a theme.
May not fit: Do not assume everyone drinks alcohol; describe non-drinking options and follow local age and safety rules.
Example“They joined a holiday bar crawl but chose nonalcoholic drinks.”
hang out with my friends
Getting warm and joining seasonal events · phrasal verb
Spend relaxed, informal time with friends.
Tone and use: Casual and friendly. Talk about an unstructured social plan.
May not fit: For a scheduled or formal event, say meet, visit, or attend instead.
Example“I’m going to hang out with my friends after class.”
go sledding
Comparing sledding and tubing prices · expression
Ride a sled downhill on snow for recreation.
Tone and use: Everyday activity language. Talk about a winter activity that uses a sled and a suitable snowy slope.
May not fit: Check local conditions and use a designated area; do not imply snow or safe conditions are guaranteed.
Example“If the hill is open after the snowfall, we can go sledding.”
all the way down
Comparing sledding and tubing prices · expression
From the starting point to the full lower end of a route or slope.
Tone and use: Conversational emphasis on the entire distance. Describe traveling to the bottom of a hill or path.
May not fit: For exact directions, give a named endpoint or route marker.
Example“The path runs all the way down to the lake.”
worth it
Comparing sledding and tubing prices · expression
Good enough to justify the time, effort, or money spent.
Tone and use: Common conversational way to evaluate value. Give an opinion after considering cost or effort against the experience.
May not fit: It is subjective; explain what makes it worthwhile if the listener needs details.
Example“The guided tour costs more, but the small group made it worth it.”
a ripoff
Comparing sledding and tubing prices · expression
A highly informal negative judgment that something costs far more than it is worth, or is unfairly priced.
Tone and use: Strong, blunt, and potentially confrontational. Express a strong personal complaint in casual conversation.
May not fit: For polite service feedback, say it seems overpriced or ask about the charge instead.
Example“I thought the extra fee was a ripoff, so I asked for an explanation.”
shop around
Comparing sledding and tubing prices · phrasal verb
Compare prices, products, or sellers before deciding what to buy.
Tone and use: Neutral and practical. Look at several stores or options to find a suitable choice.
May not fit: If you have already chosen a seller, say shop there or place the order.
Example“We shopped around before buying a new coat.”
pay to enter
Browsing a Christmas market · expression
Pay an admission fee for permission to go into a place or event.
Tone and use: Neutral and practical. Ask whether an attraction charges an entrance fee.
May not fit: Admission may be free while food, rides, or purchases cost extra; confirm what the fee covers.
Example“Do visitors have to pay to enter the garden?”
ski down the mountain
Talking about skiing and snowboarding equipment · expression
Travel downhill on skis from a higher point on a mountain.
Tone and use: Neutral sports description. Describe a downhill skiing route or activity.
May not fit: Only ski on open terrain appropriate to your ability and follow posted resort guidance.
Example“They plan to ski down the mountain after checking the trail conditions.”
for balance
Talking about skiing and snowboarding equipment · expression
To help someone remain steady and control their position.
Tone and use: Neutral explanatory phrase. Explain why a person uses a support or piece of equipment.
May not fit: Balance aids do not replace instruction or make a slope suitable for every beginner.
Example“She held the rail for balance while learning the steps.”
strap them on
Talking about skiing and snowboarding equipment · phrasal verb
Fasten equipment to the body or footwear using straps.
Tone and use: Informal equipment language. Describe securing snowboard bindings or other strapped gear.
May not fit: Follow the equipment and resort instructions; secure fit varies by gear and user.
Example“Strap them on according to the instructor’s directions.”
Knowledge check
Practice the phrases you heard
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Use it in a sentence · “make a reservation”
A rink may be busy on Saturday. Which question best checks whether you should book ahead?