If someone brings up winter and what to do, they’ll inevitably come across the classics.
Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating – these are time-honoured winter sports and even Olympics-recognized disciplines.
But what if you’re looking for something that’s less competitive, something beyond your typical winter sports?
Let’s be a little creative and look at some winter-only activities – that aren’t Olympics sports!
Winter Hiking (Snowshoes/Crampons)
Ever wanted to walk around in vast snowy field?
Then snowshoeing might be the thing you’re looking for!
Snowshoeing involves strapping a pair of larger, flipper-sized shoes below your own.
Boasting a massive footprint, snowshoes help you to distribute your weight across soft snow. This allows you to hike across fresh, powdery snow without sinking knee-deep and wasting a ton of energy getting out.
They typically come with a pair of hiking poles for further stability and leverage if you go “post-holing” or sinking into a large hole. Crampons or mircrospikes are also used for compact but icy terrain to get a better grip.
Before you go stomping around in snow, make sure to layer up with our Malaysian Guide to Winter Layering too!
Where to Find
Nikko, Japan: Past the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the mountains of inner Nikko and the Nikko National Park have many beginner-friendly ice and snow trails to try out winter hiking.
Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest, USA: This gorgeous stretch of the North Cascades is home to the aptly named Artist Point, a fantastic view of the Yellowstone Falls that gets absolutely caked in snow during winter.
Lake Louise, Canada: Located in the world-famous Banff National Park, the lake and its surrounding slopes are prime snowshoe territory, not to mention a great choice for a road trip.
Fat Biking
You’ve heard of biking, but have you heard of fat biking?
Distinguished by their girthy tires that can reach up to 97mm, fat bikes let you glide through snow-packed slopes and fields in shocking speed – places where conventional bikes would struggle or find it impossible to traverse.
They’re also surprisingly new too, only the modern version only being developed in the 1980s and only really taking off with the Pugsley frame in the 2000s.
Just make sure to fatbike in well-groomed snow areas with compact snow. Fatbikes aren’t miracle workers, and we don’t want you sinking into a powdery hole, do we?
Where to Find
Schladming-Dachstein, Austria: Right in the heart of the Alps, this mountain wonderland contains up to 40km of fatbike trails that go past beautiful ridges, forests and peaks. While you’re here, do try and visit one of Austria’s many beautiful cities and have a cuppa at a Viennese coffeehouse too!
Alta, Norway: This relatively flat region of Scandinavia is great for beginners to start their fatbiking journey. Expect to huge swathes of pristine sub-Arctic tundra.
Vancouver Island, Canada: Located 3.5 hours west from Vancouver by car, the Mount Washington Alpine Resort boasts 15km of bike trails through snow-caked fir forests.
Dog sledding
If you can’t be bothered to pedal through snow with your own feet, why not let some dogpower take the wheel?
This millennia old mode of transportation was first used by the Inuit peoples of the Arctic as a means of traversing the vast icy tundra where horses could not survive or navigate.
Although they’re still important as links to the traditional ways of life for the Inuit, dog sledding for leisure has also taken off in recent years.
With little more than a sled for two (a passenger and driver) strapped to a team of Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes, you too can mush your way across wintery wonders!
Where to Find
Lapland, Finland: After running dogsled laps in frozen forests, don’t forget to check out the self-described home of Santa and the northern lights!
Kiruna, Sweden: This far northern city in the Swedish Lapland offers not just dogsledding but also easy access to the nearby Abisko National Park.
Nunavik, Canada: Dogsled through these traditional lands and hunting grounds together with a native Inuit guide. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some musk ox, caribou or even polar bears!
Related: Must-See Safaris: Kenya’s 5 Best Reserves & Parks
Ice Fishing
Fishing’s plenty fun in summer, but ice fishing is a whole different beast.
The crunch of ice and snow beneath you, the chilly wind poking holes through the thickest of coats and the blind hope of a catch lurking beneath opaque ice – ice fishing can breathe some intensity into a pretty tame activity.
Oh, and don’t forget to take in the majesty of frozen winter lakes and waterways too!
Where to Find
Lake of the Woods, USA: This frozen lake straddling the US-Canadian border is famous for its massive walleye and sauger populations as well as convenient sleeper houses right next to your fishing hole.
South Korea: Find yourself in South Korea around January? Then you have not one, but TWO ice fishing festivals: the Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Salmon) Ice Festival and the Pyeongchang Trout Festival, the latter of which was a former Winter Olympics city.
Lake Akan, Japan: A pristine frozen lake topped with fresh snow and backed by the gargantuan Mount Oakan – all in one of Japan’s coolest national parks. What more could you ask for?
Ice Bathing
To cold-lovers, winter is the best time to upgrade from cold showers to ICE-COLD baths!
Besides dunking yourself into freezing waters for the fun of it, ice bathing has also been touted for its supposed health benefits like reduced muscle pain and improved mental health.
Still, make sure to take baby steps if you’re not the best with cold. And for those with heart issues, maybe skip this activity for the others on this list.
Where to Find
Lakeland, Finland: This appropriately named region is filled with frozen lakes that are perfect for a subzero dip before a rapid retreat to a classic Finnish sauna.
Lofoten, Norway: Don’t let the sandy beaches fool you, Lofoten’s waters reach a maximum of 10 °C and a low of 7 °C, letting you experience the chill year-round.
Lake Hariett, USA: Run by volunteers, this fenced ice hole out in the middle of this picturesque frozen lake provides health-conscious folk and thrill-seekers a chance to experience true cold.
Related: The Top 5 Natural Wonders of Northern Xinjiang
Stay in an Ice Hotel
Imagine coming back from a day out in the ice and snow, only to go to bed in your very own abode made of more ice and snow!
Ice hotels have been a novelty stay for decades now, ranging from traditional cozy igloos equipped with the basics to palaces outfitted with saunas and avant garde ice sculptures.
Usually located out in rural hinterland up in the Arctic circle, staying in one is also a great way to catch the Northern Lights!
ICEHOTEL, Sweden: The original ice hotel located near the town of Kiruna, it features galleries filled with wondrous ice sculptures.
Igloo Lodge, Greenland: Go back to basics with these old school igloos located right in the middle of a glacier field.
Hôtel de Glace, Canada: North America’s only ice hotel boasts a restaurant, bar and even an open-air sauna.
Related: The 10 Prettiest Winter Hotels
Ice enthusiasts! If you’re hungry for more, pay a visit to one of these Olympic cities or even pick up an Winter Olympics sport if you’re so inclined.
Links
Schladming-dachstein – Alpine Fatbike
https://www.schladming-dachstein.at/en/info-and-service/regional-infrastructure/pois/DAC/3a05e086-9e92-4f4e-b2a4-79e93f60cc76/alpine-fatbike
Visit Norway – Fatbiking: Go cycling on snow and ice!
https://www.visitnorway.com/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/fatbiking
Mt. Washington – Fat Biking
https://mountwashington.ca/play/winter-activities/fat-biking.html
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