Winter’s Bachelor Party

It is the winter season! And although snow has been lacking in some southern parts of Ontario, you can be sure that snow machines are in full force in places like Horseshoe Valley, Blue Mountain and various resorts that offer hotel and spa stays and a variety of winter activities nearby.  Make it a weekend trip with the guys, rent your snow gear at the resort’s closest snow terrain and make sure to book a nice relaxation massage at your resort’s spa. Who says you can’t have fun with winter for your best friend’s bachelor party?

Go Skiing

Check out a resort up north or out west to such luxurious ski resorts as in Banff, Alberta! Skiing is not only a great exercise that tones your entire body, but it is also beneficial for your heart muscles. You and your five best friends can breathe in the fresh air, enjoy hitting the slopes and poke fun of your buddies who still need to ski on the bunny slopes.  Don’t forget to wind down and relax your muscles after a long day of skiing in a hot tub at your resort’s spa.  If you plan on going skiing on several days you may want to purchase a weekend or seasonal pass so you and the guys can enjoy some quality skiing time across several days, before and after the bachelor party.

 Snow Tubing

Okay so the ‘baby’ in your group of friends doesn’t want to do the skiing option because he deems it to be ‘unsafe.’  As a safer option, you may want to try snow tubing!  It is not only safe, but a lot of fun and you and your buddies do not need to take any particular lessons beforehand.  Try visiting Ski Snow Valley (www.skisnowvalley.com) in Barrie as they offer various packages for you and your friends to enjoy.  Ski Snow Valley is said to offer the largest snow tubing landscape in Ontario, making multi-person tubing rides possible on a variety of lanes and slopes.

 Hit The Ice

If your party consists of 20 or more people, consider doing an outdoor ice hockey tournament.  Guests can pick their teams once they get to the rink or you can have teams pre-determined on colour-coded invitations!  Half the invites can be printed in red and the other half in blue.  Once guests have confirmed they are coming, have jerseys made for each team from a T-shirt shop and have them laid out, ready to be worn by each player.

 Beer-Bogganing

This is tobogganing while under the influence of alcohol.  It can take place at any local park after a major snowfall; given this park has a few bunny hills.  Before we condone such an activity, ensure that your party plays it safe; keep a few sober people on location and ensure that proper winter clothing is worn at all times – hats, skiing gloves, warm winter coats and boots to prevent injury or frost bite.  One way you can ensure things don’t get out of hand is to bring a small cooler of beer with you to the park.  This way, the little alcohol there is to consume, the little time you’ll spend tobogganing drunk and risking any injuries.  Keep the party going once you all arrive back home with some videogames, great music, easy-to-make finger foods and a fresh backyard hangout!

Does he spend his late nights mostly alone in his basement on some sort of gaming console? Does he often use the words “noob” to describe someone who performs poorly in a game?  Does the term “shopping” to him mean lining up in front of Best Buy at 12 a.m. waiting for the release of a brand new videogame? Does he spend most of his spare time on gamers’ message boards and other online gaming chat lines?  If any of the above describes your best friend then he is most likely a nerd.  If your nerdy friend happens to also be getting married, then he is most likely going to want a bachelor party that suits his nerdy tastes.  If you’re not sure how to organize a nerdy bachelor party because you may not be a nerd yourself, we’ve got some great ideas outlined below – non-nerdy friends will approve too!

 Laser Tag/Paintball

Make your nerdy friend feel like he’s in a videogame with an epic game of laser tag.  Check out Rinx Toronto and feast your eyes on its 3,300 square foot environment complete with lights and special effects to heighten your experience.  Create two teams out of your group of friends and map out a plan of attack towards the opposing team.  It has the “nerd factor” for its use of mental strategy like a video game, laser guns and a unique maze-like structure.  Similarly to laser tag is the game of shooting your opponents with a paintball gun. Check out Defcon Paintball or Eastie Boyz Paintball in Toronto.  Unlike laser tag, paintballing can cause physical harm.  It is advised that you take every precaution possible, ensure protective masks are on at all times and be aware of the minimum distance shooting range rules between yourself and your opponent.  However, like Call of Duty, paintballing can be a lot of fun – with fresh sand and the backdrop of a jungle-like terrain.

 Arcade Game Night

 A nerdy night can include your childhood favourites; pinball, ski ball, shuffleboard, videogames and 80’s arcade games like Pac-Man.  Dave and Buster’s and Playdium are notorious for hosting such elaborate gaming centres.  You and your buddies can spend hours enjoying the gaming and entertainment fun; collect tokens from the videogames you do well in, pick out a teddy bear prize for your patient girlfriend waiting at home and then wind down and enjoy some delicacies and at the venue’s restaurant. 

 Go Karting

Think Mario Kart and other classic, often goofy, racing videogames.  This is definitely a nerd haven!  It’ll be great going through the rounds on the winding track and passing each checkpoint and you will be connecting with your inner child.  Sorry there are no shells, bananas or other power-ups to throw your friends’ karts off the track.

 Simply Videogames

 He’s only into his joystick and console? He won’t come out of his shell and do some of the crazy things they do at bachelor parties?  You’re on a budget? Host a Guitar Hero Party, have your friends come dressed as their favourite rock star and rock out to some familiar tunes.  Set up a cooler of beer surrounded by ice cubes and put out snack food like nachos and dip on a table. Being a nerd is not always about videogames either – set up some board game stations with Chess, Checkers, Risk, and whatever board game happens to be at his place.