Pickleball, Shuffleboard & More: How to Stay Active All Season at Shangri-La

One of the most common things prospective snowbirds ask when researching 55+ RV resorts in Yuma is some version of the same question: What is there to actually do? It's a fair question. When you're considering spending an entire winter somewhere, you want to know that you won't run out of things to do by mid-November.

At Shangri-La RV Resort, that's not a concern you'll have for long. The daily activities calendar runs seven days a week, covering everything from high-energy outdoor sports to creative workshops and leisurely social games. Here's a look at what staying active really means at Shangri-La.

Pickleball: The Sport Everyone Is Playing

If you haven't played pickleball yet, there's a good chance you will by the end of your first week at Shangri-La. The sport has become the defining activity of active adult communities across the Sun Belt — and for good reason. It combines the hand-eye coordination of tennis with the social pace of a backyard game, and it's genuinely fun at any skill level.

At Shangri-La, pickleball runs Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings from 9 to 11am at the Pickleball Courts. Whether you're a seasoned player looking for competition or a beginner just picking up a paddle for the first time, you'll find your footing quickly — and your people even faster.

Shuffleboard: A Shangri-La Staple

Mixed Shuffleboard has been a cornerstone of resort life at Shangri-La for as long as residents can remember. Six mornings a week — Monday through Saturday from 9 to 11am — the courts are open and the competition is on. It's the kind of activity that starts as a casual game and turns into a standing appointment you look forward to all week.

Shuffleboard at Shangri-La is about more than the game itself. It's one of the best ways to meet people early in the season, build friendships across different sites, and settle into the easy familiarity that makes a community feel like home.

Aquacise: Start the Day in the Pool

Three mornings a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30am — the pool becomes the most popular spot at the resort. Aquacise is a low-impact water aerobics workout that's as social as it is effective. It gets your heart rate up, builds strength and flexibility, and puts zero stress on your joints.

For residents managing arthritis, back issues, or any of the joint concerns that come with an active life well-lived, Aquacise is often described as a game-changer. And it doesn't hurt that it takes place under the Arizona sun.

Chair Yoga: Gentle, Consistent, and Effective

Three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:30am to noon — Chair Yoga meets in the Rec Hall for a gentle seated practice designed for all ability levels. It improves flexibility, balance, and overall wellbeing, and it's one of the easiest ways to build a consistent wellness habit into your winter routine.

No experience needed, no special equipment, and no pressure. Just a quiet hour to stretch, breathe, and feel better than you did an hour ago.

Horseshoes and Putt Putt: Classic Outdoor Fun

Some activities are popular because they're genuinely fun in a timeless, uncomplicated way. Horseshoes runs Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Horseshoe Pit — easy to learn, satisfying to play, and perfect on a bright Arizona morning. Putt Putt happens every Friday morning from 10am to noon on the resort's own course, giving residents a casual round of mini golf without leaving the property.

Both activities tend to draw a crowd that grows over the season. Don't be surprised if what starts as a solo morning outing turns into a weekly foursome.

Art Classes: Staying Active in a Different Way

Staying active doesn't always mean breaking a sweat. Every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5:30pm, Art Classes with instructor Lada Ladik take place in the Craft Room. For $20 a session with all supplies included, residents create handmade note cards, bookmarks, and small artwork pieces in a rotating series of mediums — including watercolors, the first class of the season.

Many residents who've never considered themselves artistic find they love it, and end up sending handmade cards to family back home all winter long.

And That's Just the Beginning

The activities here are just the ones with a clear fitness or active component. The full weekly schedule at Shangri-La also includes Mahjong, Bunco, Cribbage, Knitting and Crochet, Bible Study, Poker, Darts, Billiards, and Friday Fun Nights — not to mention the special events, seasonal activities, and community gatherings added throughout the year.

The short answer to what is there to do? is: more than you'll have time for. And that's exactly how a great winter season should feel.

Ready to make Shangri-La your winter home? Visit shangrilarv.com to learn more about seasonal and annual sites at Yuma's premier active adult RV resort in Arizona.