Can you play Archery Tag and paintball in winter?
Published on 4 June 2026, updated on 1 September 2026 by the Tag Brussels team
Yes: our 5-hectare forest venue in Bierges (Wavre), 15 minutes from Brussels, is open 7 days a week all year round, and we play Archery Tag and paintball in any reasonable weather, snow included. Only dangerous conditions lead to a free rescheduling. Better still: winter is probably the most underrated season to play in the forest, and here is why, with our field-tested tips to make the most of it.
Why is winter an underrated season to play?
- You will have the field (almost) to yourselves: winter slots are the quietest of the year: easy booking, even last minute, weekends included.
- The cardio warms you up fast: between sprints, dodges and assaults, nobody is cold while playing: just ask the paintball players who finish the session in a t-shirt under the overalls.
- The winter forest is a film set: mist between the trees, frosted branches, and clearer sightlines once the leaves have fallen: games get more tactical and the photos are stunning.
- The scenarios change: with less foliage, long shooting lanes open up: snipers rejoice, and zone assaults become a real challenge.
What does the forest field look like in winter?
Our 5-hectare private wood has 5 playing fields: 1 dedicated to Archery Tag and 4 for paintball, including 1 reserved for children. In winter the scenery changes completely: the dense summer undergrowth gives way to open sightlines, and the slopes, trees and natural cover that keep every game different stand out all the more.
The forest floor can get slick and muddy in damp weather: that is part of playing in a forest, and it is what gives winter games their flavour. At the briefing, our instructors adjust distances and scenarios to the conditions of the day, and they stay on the field from start to finish, as they do at every session.
How to dress for winter play?
The three-layer rule, adapted to the game:
- A thermal base layer (top and bottom): it wicks away the sweat from the sprints.
- A thin warm layer (light fleece): skip the big puffer jacket, you will be running.
- The outer layer: for paintball, our provided overalls are windproof and mud-proof; for Archery Tag, wear flexible clothes that can get dirty.
On your feet: walking shoes or trainers with grip: the forest floor can be slick in winter. Closed shoes with good support are in fact mandatory, the only piece of equipment that depends on you. Thin running-style gloves are a real plus: they stop you neither from drawing a bow nor from pulling a trigger. And a thin beanie fits under the mask.
For a piece-by-piece rundown covering both activities, our article on what to wear for Archery Tag and paintball covers it all. Do you wear glasses? The full-face mask fits over most frames, and anti-fog spray is available at the reception.
What if it rains or snows on the day?
We play: the forest blocks a good part of the rain, at paintball the overalls do the rest, for Archery Tag clothes that can get dirty are all you need, and a game in the snow is the kind of memory groups ask us for every year. The only exception: dangerous conditions (storm, black ice on the roads): in that case we move your session to another slot free of charge.
Autumn or winter rain hardly dampens the fun: we cover exactly what happens on rainy days, from the muddy ground to the gear, in our article about playing in the rain.
Archery Tag or paintball: which one to pick in winter?
Both play beautifully: Archery Tag has a slight edge in freezing weather (arrows are picked up and reused without interruption, and no paintball-on-cold-skin feeling), while winter paintball delights fans of the commando atmosphere. Still undecided? The full comparison is here.
| Winter criterion | Archery Tag | Paintball |
|---|---|---|
| How it feels in the cold | Brief push from the ~5 cm rubber tip, no mark | It stings a little, especially on cold skin; the overalls soften it |
| Ammunition | Unlimited: you pick up the arrows and keep playing | 300 paintballs in BASIC, 500 in PRO, refills available |
| Minimum age | From 8 years old | From 12, from 8 with the Birthday package |
| Edge when it freezes | Play without interruption, slight comfort edge | Paintballs stored at a suitable temperature, distances adjusted |
Our instructors' verdict: in a normal Belgian winter, just pick whichever activity appeals to you most; below zero, Archery Tag keeps a slight comfort edge. And for large groups, the two can be combined in the same time slot, on different fields of the same site.
How does a session unfold in cold weather?
Just like the rest of the year: welcome and gear distribution before the playing time starts, safety briefing, shooting initiation for Archery Tag, then 2 hours of play in rounds of 15 to 20 minutes with rotation. A session includes 5 to 8 rounds spread over 3 or 4 different scenarios, with breaks to catch your breath and collect the arrows.
That rhythm is exactly what makes winter enjoyable: you never stand still long enough to get cold, and the breaks stay short. Our instructors balance the teams every round and adapt the intensity to the group; when the cold bites, we line up the most dynamic scenarios.
A birthday or team building in winter, good idea?
A birthday in January? A team building in February? That is exactly the season when the usual activities go round in circles (bowling, cinema, laser tag…). Two hours in the forest followed by snack time or a barbecue under shelter make a guaranteed impression, and our winter slots are the most flexible of the year.
Calendar-wise, Wednesdays and Saturdays get booked up first for birthdays, Thursday and Friday afternoons for companies; in winter, even those slots often stay free until a few days before the big day. The Birthday and ALL-IN packages last 3 hours: 2 hours of play followed by 1 hour of snack time or barbecue, under shelter. Full details are on the prices page.
Open 7 days a week, all year round
Sessions from 9 am to 6 pm, gear provided, overalls included for paintball, 15 minutes from Brussels.
Book my sessionFrequently asked questions about winter play
Is the venue open during the Christmas holidays?
Yes, we are open 7 days a week all year round, school holidays included. Sessions start every hour from 9 am to 6 pm, and Christmas and half-term slots are perfect for birthdays and family outings.
Do paintballs work in cold weather?
Yes: we store the paintballs at a suitable temperature and tune the equipment accordingly. In freezing weather, instructors slightly adjust the playing distances to allow for the paintballs turning more brittle.
Is there a place to warm up during the snack or barbecue?
Yes, the snack/barbecue area is sheltered, with tables and benches at the edge of the forest: after the session, the group gathers in the dry for the cake or the grill, whatever the weather.
Can you book a winter session last minute?
Yes, it is even the best season for it: winter slots are the quietest of the year. Online booking stays open until 18 hours before the time slot, with instant confirmation, and the €100 deposit locks in your slot for good.
Are gloves and a beanie provided?
No, bring your own: thin running-style gloves and a thin beanie that fits under the mask. Everything else is provided and included: bow or marker, full-face mask, and overalls for paintball. All you need to bring is closed shoes with good support.