17 Best Winter Sports

17 Best Winter Sports in the World

The cold winter days demand a cozy setting at home with hot chocolates and a perfect show to binge-watch as we remain curled up in our warm blankets.

There’s definitely no doubt that this is a great way to pass our lazy winter days. But, sometimes, it can become a bit monotonous.

So, what should you do if you get bored of staying indoors? Well, you could go out and explore the fantastic World of winter sports.

In case you haven’t heard about it, winter is gradually becoming the most exciting time of the year, with a wide selection of thrilling sports ready to be relished.

Besides, who wants to sit at home when you can go on an adventure and enjoy every bit of that chilly, snowy weather!

17 Best Winter Sports in the World

Below is the list of the 17 best winter sports in the World which are stimulating enough to get that adrenaline rushing through your body.

These winter sports are perfect for enjoying solo as well as with your friends and family.

17. Snowshoeing

If you are an enthusiast of hiking, then snowshoeing is certainly your cup of tea.

It is a form of hiking that requires a pair of snowshoes to walk over snow. Snowshoeing is a fun way to stay in shape, and it is pretty affordable as well.

You will not need expensive equipment or gear to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

Snowshoeing on a snowy mountain
Snowshoeing on a snowy mountain

Although snowshoeing was traditionally a mode of transportation, it is gaining significant attention as a winter sport nowadays.

So, take some time out to try this winter sport, and don’t forget to feel like a Yeti while you leave those big footprints on the snow.

16. Snowmobiling

Want to traverse the beautiful snowy landscapes but snowshoeing seems a bit too basic? Then how about snowmobiling?

A motorcycle ride except for the motorcycle is on snow & the riding experience is a lot more thrilling and exciting.

The snowmobile is explicitly designed to be operated on snow/ice, which comes with skis at the front and tracks at the back instead of wheels.

And you can rent/buy them as per your need and desire.

Snowmobiling promises to give you that taste of adventure which you’ve been craving.

But be sure to follow the safety rules as it also involves certain risk factors: you might get hurt if you do not handle the motor vehicle correctly.

Other than that, it is a pretty fun winter sport, and you should probably give it a go.

15. Fat biking

Another great way to exercise and stay fit in winters is fat biking. 

Get that biker mode on and explore every possible bike trail, whether a snowy capped mountain or a frozen serene plain.

As the name suggests, fat bikes are equipped with fat tires typically 3.8 inches (97 mm) or larger, making it easier to ride on snow.

Fat biking initially originated in America as a reaction to Alaska’s harsh landscapes and later became increasingly popular throughout the World.

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14. Ice Climbing

Ice climbing is the winter version of rock climbing.

The exhilarating feeling of ascending the vertical ice formations and the breathtaking view from the top is truly an awe-inspiring moment.

Along with that, a feeling of achievement as you climb and make it to the top comes as a bonus with ice climbing.

However, you will have to take some climbing lessons and master a few techniques like flat-footing and front pointing before you embark on that icy adventure.

Also, this winter sport requires equipment and tools that are specifically meant for ice climbing.

For instance, strong ropes, climbing harnesses, crampons, and ice axes, to name a few.

13. Snow Tubing

One of the safest and the most fun sports to enjoy with your family and friends is snow tubing.

All you need is a snow tube-giant inflatable ring to sit in and lay across as you slide down the snow.

A mother-son duo enjoying snow tubing, one of the winter sports
A mother-son duo enjoying snow tubing

Besides, sliding down on snow can result in some hilarious falls, making everyone giggle and twist in laughter.

Moreover, this winter sport is suitable for all ages, meaning you do not need any specific skill to enjoy snow tubing.

12. Yukigassen

Have you ever heard of Yukigassen? If the name is not enough to give the slightest hint of the sport, let us provide you with some clues.

It involves people and lots & lots of snowball. Well, you might have figured out that it is snowball fighting, but it’s not the regular one.

Yukigassen is the Japanese take on conventional snowball fighting. It is a competitive winter sport which is played by two teams, each consisting of seven players.

Your main goal in Yukigassen is to hit the rival teammates with the snowball and dodge the ones aimed at you.

Further, it is somewhat similar to capture the flag as you need to capture the opponent’s flag to win the game.

A perfect sport to stay active and entertained during the leisurely cold days.

11. Shovel Racing

A shovel is primarily a tool used for digging, and one could have never imagined that it could be something giving rise to a winter sport.

As strange as it may sound, shovel racing is a popular sport in some parts of the U.S, which involves the rider riding a shovel to race down a snowy hill.

This weird winter sport is extremely thrilling as the speed of the shovel can reach up to 73 miles per hour.

It also means that the ride is dangerous and is not free from safety concerns.

People sometimes modify their shovels with roll cages to avoid the risk of getting injured during the ride.

If you get pumped up by the risk factor associated with a sport, this one is definitely for you.

10. Snowkiting

How must it feel to glide over snow smoothly by using the force of a kite? Sounds refreshing and oh so calming! That’s what snowkiting is all about.

The chilly winds against you as you drive through the magnificent sceneries seem delightful enough to make this winter sport a popular one.

A man enjoying snowkiting, one of the winter sports
A refreshing snowkiting adventure

You can try different types of kites, the most common being inflammable kites. Other than that, racing foil kites are also in fashion nowadays.

Further, snowkiting is a family-friendly sport, and you can either use skis or snowboard for sliding. The choice is yours.

Also, keep in mind to not over-layer yourself because this sport requires high energy levels, which will make you feel warmer after some time.

9. Ice Swimming

Ice swimming is an extreme winter sport.

And it is not for the weak heart, quite literally because you should indeed talk to your doctor before you decide to dip into that bone-chilling icy water.

Doing so will relieve you of any health risks concerned with the sport.

But you may think, why would anyone want to submerge themselves in the freezing water in the first place?

The answer is quite simple. Ice swimming charges you with a sudden surge of energy, which is most of the time euphoric in nature.

It is because a quick swim in icy water prompts your body to release happy hormones such as endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.

As a result, people find the experience very satisfying and often become obsessed with the whole water-dipping thing.

In addition, ice swimming comes with different health benefits like improved blood circulation, a robust immune system, and reduced stress if done regularly.

8. Ice hockey

One of the most beloved winter sports, ice hockey, is a competitive game played between two teams on the ice.

The game involves six players on each team who use hockey sticks to drift the puck into the net of the rival team.

Further, the glory belongs to the team that scores the most number of goals at the end of the match.

If you find this sport interesting enough to give it a go, get ready to take some ice skating lessons and master a few complex tricks and movements.

And in case you already know how to ice skate, this is a perfect game for you to show off your skills and talent.

Apart from that, be sure to stay protected as this game does not come without safety concerns.

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7. Ice diving

Similar to ice swimming, ice diving is yet another extreme winter sport.

It is a type of diving done under the ice with only a single entry and exit point.

Certainly, venturing into the mysterious territory of the freezing water and exploring the delicacies of the depth makes ice diving an extremely thrilling adventure.

However, it is not at all an easy sport and requires experience.

In fact, this winter sport is so risky that there is always a surface crew for emergency concerns.

It will be best to learn special diving procedures and equip yourself with different ice diving equipment before taking that plunge into the unknown area.

Some necessary equipment to carry includes a dry suit, appropriate thermal undersuit, buoyancy control device, weight belt, etc.

6. Dog Sledding

Let an adorable pack of dogs lead your way! Yes, imagine being pulled by our furry friends while you sit and enjoy the scenic beauty of the winter wonderland.

Dog sledding is a famous winter sport that is easy and not as dangerous compared to other winter sports.

Adorable pups leading your way
Adorable pups leading your way

The technique of dog sledding initially came from Alaska, where people pulled loads with the help of their dogs.

Today, this has become one of the favorite winter sports of many people around the globe.

Moreover, dog sled racing is also pretty famous around the Arctic regions of America and Europe.

5. Ice Canoeing

True to its name, ice canoeing is a winter sport that involves riding a canoe on an ice-covered course.

The gripping ride leaves you with such adrenaline rush and excitement that the whole experience is exceptionally on another level.

Moreover, this winter sport helps you to exercise and keep your fitness in check as well.

Ice canoeing is a team sport that requires teamwork and coordination. So, gather up some friends and prepare yourself for an action-packed venture.

And don’t forget to take essential ice canoeing gear such as paddles, knee and shin pads, rugby shoes equipped with special cleats, etc.

Further, ice canoeing has initially been a means of transportation, just like many other winter sports.

However, people gradually grew a liking to it, and in 1984, the first-ever ice canoe race took place at the first Quebec Winter Carnival.

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4. Ice Racing

We all can agree that racing, in general, is extremely thrilling and entertaining, which is why there’s always a buzz around it.

And it gets even more thrilling if the race is taking place on the ice. It is generally done on snowy race tracks and frozen lakes. 

You may think running heavy vehicles on frozen lakes sounds like a bad idea and a bit too dangerous. But, don’t worry!

The event organizers measure the ice below and allow the race to happen only if it is hundred percent safe.

Further, the good thing about ice racing is that it is comparatively affordable as far as other motorsports or extreme racing is concerned.

The only thing you’ll need to do is fix a set of snow tires onto your regular road vehicle, and you are almost ready for an exciting ice race!

3. Snowboarding

Snowboarding is one of the most popular winter sports, which is all about balance and flexibility.

This sport has been around since the 1960s, and it involves sliding down a snow-covered slope with the help of a snowboard.

Most of the time, the snowboard is attached to the rider’s feet.

A thrilling snowboarding ride
A thrilling snowboarding ride

Moreover, this winter sport was heavily inspired by similar sports such as skateboarding and surfing.

Further, snowboarding is comparatively hard as it will require you to invest some time practicing and perfecting your stance & balance.

But once you get a grip of it, the icy paradise is all yours to explore. Just get your snowboard ready and head in whichever direction you like.

2. Ice Skating

Can you name a winter sport that is extremely popular and equally loved by people of all ages, whether a child, a teenager or an adult?

Kudos to you if you guessed the answer to be ice skating!

This winter sport is an easy, fun activity that requires you to glide across an ice surface on blades fixed to the shoes’ bottom (skates).

Even if you don’t know how to balance yourself on ice skates properly, do not shy away from trying this at least once.

It might take you a few falls before you smoothly glide over the ice. But, it’s all worth it!

Fun fact: Ice Skating was invented nearly more than 4,000 years ago.

1. Skiing

Winter sports and skiing go hand in hand!

Skiing is guaranteed to hit your mind instantly as soon as you think of a snowy outdoor adventure.

It is one of the best winter sports, which involves moving over snow with the help of a pair of long and flat runners called skis.

A fun-filled ski-ride
A fun-filled ski-ride

In addition to skis, some other necessary equipment that you will need includes ski boots, goggles, a helmet, ski poles, etc.

Further, skiing is a lot like snowboarding, but the main difference is snowboarding does not use poles.

Apart from that, both of them are about the game of balancing.

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