In some places around the world, winter means one thing: downhill fun. Skiers and snowboarders embrace winter in all its frozen glory, but leave those who don’t partake in a chilly conundrum: How to have fun outdoors?
We’ve put together a list of alternative (albeit quirky) winter activities.
Night sledding
Night swimming? Try night sledding. But we’re not talking about your neighborhood hill, here, we mean ski slopes on tubes at night. Wait for a night with a full moon and clear skies to get the best visibility, and wear warm and breathable gear for the optimum comfort. Goggles are a must! Because it’s in the dark, this sport needs extra attention to safety, so travel in groups or with partners, keeping the heaviest person at the back of the sled or tube.
Broom Ball
Seriously. A sport born in Canada around the turn of the century, Broom Ball has taken off as a cool (arguably much safer) version of hockey throughout the United States and Europe, with official competitions. Instead of skates, players wear special rubber shoe, and instead of a puck, the game is played with a ball. Keep in mind, you’ll still have to wear protective gear like helmets, pads and gloves.
Snow kayaking
Who needs water? Row, row, row your boat gently through the snow for a fun wintry substitute. Instead of navigating your way through rapids, you’ll glide through snowy hills wearing a snowsuit and goggles. The World Snow Kayaking Championships takes place in Austria each year, but the sport is gaining momentum in places where snow and kayaking coexist.
Snowmobiling
This sport requires no road or trail to be done. Snowmobiles can even operate on frozen lakes, and can take winter adventurers further into the woods than if on foot. You’ll get better access to remote trails and untouched snow to tour the backcountry, see the sights and master the terrain.
Ice climbing
Don’t go chasing waterfalls? We disagree – just wait until they’re frozen over. Each winter, outdoorsy folk defy gravity and pick their way straight up the ice. This sport is safer once the ice has already been climbed and picked through, but to take on a vertical challenge, rope yourself in and go up and away.
Winter mountaineering
Basically, this is a way for avid vertical challengers to extend the beloved climbing season. Winter mountaineering isn’t all just climbing and hiking though, the term also incorporates winter camping, rope team travel, and knowing how to avoid or persevere through an avalanche. Take it as far or as close to home as you’d like.
Caving/spelunking/potholing
It’s called a few different things depending on where you’re coming from, but caving is unique in its terrain, and (although actually a year-round sport), a great way to get outside in the winter in lieu of heading down extreme hills. Mostly based on exploring wild and non-commercial cave systems, caving offers untouched scenery and glimpses of beautiful limestone formations, among other things.
Snow kiting
Much like it’s sister sport – kite surfing – snow kiting joins the momentum of a kite with a courageous person on a slippery surface. Hang on tight to the string of a large kite, and hop on your snowboard or skis to cruise up and downhill. Frozen lakes make another great surface.
Snowshoeing
For the fanciest feet around, pick up a pair of these. Wide-brimmed and extra supportive, snow shoes cover a lot more ground to evenly distribute a person’s weight on top of snow, making it easier to trek. Its recreational use started in Quebec, and from there, walks, hikes and winter tours have taken off – even public schools have incorporated the activity into physical education classes.
Indoor slopes
Ok, we promised alternatives skiing or snowboarding, but this isn’t your regular slope. Indoor centers for these downhill thrills are springing up all over Europe, and they offer classes and practices for both veterans and beginners. Most snow domes also happily cater to freestyle, toboggan and tubing events, so if your day plans get sacked by rough weather, check out one of these for a paradise of perfect powder.
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