29 Nov 6 Alternative Winter Sports to Immerse Yourself in Nature
Posted at 13:23h in Adventures
Skiing or snowboarding down a powdery piste is incredibly fun. But sometimes, the simple and serene enjoyment of nature gets lost in the resorts, hordes, and apres ski. If you want to connect to nature in a way that feels pure and is better for nature, these 6 alternative winter sports will fully immerse you in the winter wonderland.
OK, so the above is not entirely true. Skiing and snowboarding are great ways to enjoy nature––especially when you’re cutting fresh tracks off-piste. But that’s just for experienced shredders and definitely not recommended for everyone. We each have our own way and pace of exploring. So how do you best experience the icy beauty of the season?
Like backcountry skiing, the best winter sports are all about immersing yourself in the white oblivion of winter and experiencing nature while it lies dormant under a blanket of snow. They’re about having minimal impact on the environment and working with the elements, instead of taming the mountain to accommodate our hobbies. Want to discover a new way of enjoying winter in a pure, unadulterated way? These 6 alternative winter sports fully immerse you in nature.
Splitboarding
Before looking for new sports to take to the mountains this winter, let’s admit that snowboarding is one of the best ways to get down a slope. Why look for something new? Well, because snowboards just aren’t that great for going uphill and exploring the backcountry. Enter the splitboard, the ultimate solution for snowboarders that don’t want to be bound to ski lifts, groomed slopes, and would rather see their mountains covered in nothing but snow and trees. With a splitboard, you get to explore the pristine backcountry with real freedom and without having to do long and tiring uphill treks on snowshoes.
These boards do as their name suggests––they split in half to become skis for touring the backcountry and going uphill. Once you’re up top, simply click the halves together and start carving fresh tracks downhill.
Fat biking
If you’re one of those cyclists that can’t wait for the roads to thaw, prepare to get your mind altered. Fat bikes have really gained traction in the last few years, both literally and figuratively. Traditionally, these bicycles felt a bit clumsy and bulky. With the market for fat bikes taking off, manufacturers have been making really good bikes that look and feel like mountain bikes. They just perform way better in snow. With 40-50mm tires, they have more grip and require less effort to go uphill.
Fat biking is the way to get into nature for both hardcore mountain bikers and casual cyclists. You can ride them pretty much anywhere, from snow-covered backcountry to black diamond trails. Or take them to town, for that matter. Fat bikes open up both the roads and unexplored wilderness when the snow starts to fall. Besides, they’re completely human-powered and therefore have very little impact on the environment.
Skijoring
Always wanted to take up dog sledding but lack a pack to pull your sled? There’s another way to take to the snow with your dog, and it’s arguably even better. Skijoring sits right between cross-country skiing and dog sledding–– it involves a dog pulling you while on skis. With nothing but a springy cord between you and your furry friend, skijoring is an amazing way to deepen your bond with both your pet and nature. (Just keep your dog from chasing the local wildlife.)
Before you tie yourself to your dog and head for the snowy trails, make sure you’re comfortable on skis and your dog is fit enough and built for the job. Huskies and Malamutes are excellent breeds for skijoring, but any athletic dog that likes to pull on a leash can learn to skijor. Dogs do need to be well-trained and responsive to commands. Start before winter by familiarizing them with the basic commands for pulling, slowing down and directions while walking your dog on a leash. If you and your pet get in sync, you’re in for an amazing winter!
Does your dog lack pulling power but do you still want to take up skijoring? Or you don’t have a dog at all? Skijoring can be done with horses, too. While you might not own a horse either, skijoring with horses can be more accessible as it involves two riders––one on horseback and the other on skis.
Snowshoeing
Of all ways to get out there during winter, snowshoeing is the easiest and most low-key activity. It’s probably also the purest because you’re exploring the wild winterscape step by step, unhurried, quiet and as low-tech as possible.It’s a respectful mode of exploration that allows you to observe the fauna and flora while keeping the peace of winter. Not just great for you but for the local wildlife too, as they use the season’s silence to find scarce food and escape hungry predators.
Prep for the elements by layering your clothes, bringing a flask with hot tea, and tracking your route as you go––the white of winter can be disorienting. Old cartoons would have you believe that snowshoes are clumsy-looking tennis rackets bound to your feet. Instead, snowshoes come in all sizes and shapes. What they have in common, though, is that they increase the surface area of your feet. This allows you to walk largely atop the snow, rather than ploughing through it. Modern snowshoes are light, ergonomic, and easy to use. Get yours and get exploring!
Ice climbing
Picture yourself halfway up a towering waterfall, smashing ice axes into its frozen surface to make your way up. If that doesn’t sound frightening, you might have found your new favorite extreme sport. And if it does, you might have still found your fave winter pastime. More than an extreme sport, ice climbing is a unique and low-impact way of experiencing the winter elements––and it’s perfectly safe when done right.
Ice climbing can actually be easier than regular climbing because you have more surface to climb up against. Beginner mountaineers can give ice climbing a go with a guide and the proper equipment, including ice axes and crampons. With a low to medium inclination, you won’t need more than one ice axe as the crampons on your feet give you enough traction to walk up. Experienced mountaineers and sport climbers will find a new challenge, where glaciers, waterfalls, icefalls and frozen cliffs become breathtaking playgrounds.
Ice sailing
Probably the most unique and elegant pastime on this list––but not a new one. Ice sailing enjoyed huge popularity with the elite during the first half of the 1900s––probably because ice yachts reached speeds that far outperformed any other vehicle of the time. Iceboating still attracts speed devils, sailors, and enthusiasts alike, who flock to the lake when weather conditions align. They’ll partake in regattas that sometimes have 50 ice craft dueling atop ice at speeds over 35 knots, or 100km/h.
To start ice sailing, you’ll need a smooth layer of ice, light wind, and little to no snow. Next, find the nearest club or head to a cold destination that has one. Spend a season or two learning the ropes and harnessing the winter elements. Sounds like too much of a hassle? You’ll think differently once you’ve had a first taste of frictionless flying across the ice.
