Top Winter Sports to Try

Top Winter Sports to Try Out

If you’re looking for a new pastime for the coming winter, then you’ll be pleased to learn that there are dozens of sports available that cater particularly to this time of year. There’s even a version of the Olympics that caters to sports that require snow and ice.

Let’s take a look at a few of the more mainstream options and assess what’s required to try them out.

Skiing

Skiing is, on the face of it, a simple sport. Strap two long, smooth planks to your feet, and you’ll be able to travel down a snowy piste at speed. From these simple principles has emerged an extremely varied and sophisticated range of sports. Alpine, cross-country, and freestyle skiing will variously appeal to sightseers, thrill-seekers, and those looking for a winter-friendly alternative to hiking.

Booking ski holidays can provide the perfect opportunity to learn and enjoy this popular winter sport. If you’d like to get a head start before you arrive, then you might take a few hours out to get some lessons on a nearby indoor or dry ski slope.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding might appear similar to skiing,  however it requires a very different set of skills and is very different to learn. It is also surrounded by a different kind of culture and even different clothing styles.

Like skiing, it’s pretty varied. Freestyle snowboarding is all about sliding up ramps and performing tricks. Alpine snowboarding is about descending slopes as fast as possible. Freeride snowboarding, on the other hand, is about exploration.

The good news is that you don’t have to decide until you get to the resort what you want to do,  as ski hire shops are pretty flexible with what equipment you rent. 

Ice Skating

Ice skating is more accessible than the sports we’ve mentioned so far. You can try it out on a specialised indoor rink or a frozen lake. You might even find that a city near you is hosting a public outdoor rink, perhaps as part of a Christmas market.

Skating like skiing and snowboarding is a great workout, and it offers a range of health benefits. Do it regularly, and you’ll lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, and you’ll drive up your aerobic capacity, too. There are rinks throughout the UK, so the chances are you’re not far from a good one.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a different kind of sport. It’s easier to get into, and it’s appropriate for every age. However, you’ll need very thick snow, which often means travelling to a Nordic country.

You can think of snowshoeing as a cross between hiking and cross-country skiing. You’ll have special boards, called “shoes,”  strapped into your feet, which will prevent you from sinking into the powder. It’s a fantastic way to see the countryside when it’s carpeted in glittering snow. The natural world can be extremely beautiful at this time of year, and snowshoeing offers a fantastic way to observe it.

Which Winter Sports Would You Try?

I am lucky to have been skiing for many years and it really is one of my favourite things to do. Considering I don’t like the cold at all, with the right gear then it’s easy to stay warm.  Out on the slopes there are no shortage of cafes and restaurants, perfect for a rest or to warm up by a log fire. I have been thinking about learning to snowboard,  but know that it takes a few weeks to learn  – much of the time closely connected to the snow so that puts me off!

Here are some great tips for planning a skiing holiday and what to think about before you book.

Many larger resorts have ice rinks and the option to try cross country skiing or snowshoeing as well so there’s a chance to try all sorts. Other activities at resorts include tobogganing, skidoo rides and even bobsleigh. Of course you are never far from a snowball fight and some apres ski as well.

This is a collaborative guest post.  Images are my own and also taken from Canva Pro.