9 Winter Sports To Try That Aren’t Skiing

While winter is an excellent time to stay cozy inside with Netflix marathons and hot cocoa, it’s also a great opportunity for outdoor adventure. But instead of heading to the ski slopes, channel your inner athlete and challenge yourself with other winter games. From ice skating to bobsledding, this list of winter sports has something for everyone looking for a little adventure on their next frosty getaway.

Float on the snow in Albany, New York

Take in the beauty of nature in winter on a snowshoe hike.

If you love hiking, start by booking a hotel in Albany, then bundle up and break out a pair of snowshoes for a walk in a winter wonderland. While Albany is home to several parks with miles of trails perfect for snowshoeing, our top pick is Albany Pine Bush, a National Natural Landmark featuring over 18 miles of trails and diverse wildlife and foliage.

Channel your inner champion in Park City, Utah

If bobsledding is on your winter sports list, book your hotel in Park City and have an unforgettable experience at the Utah Olympic Park. Get an adrenaline rush as you take a ride on the official Olympic track (with a professional, of course)—home to the bobsled, skeleton and luge events—from the 2002 Winter Games.

Go mushing in Duluth, Minnesota

Speed through winter wonderlands on a dog-powered sled.

If you want to really embrace winter (and let’s face it, the cold), stay in Duluth to try dog sledding, where there are a number of professional kennels and guides. There’s nothing quite like the experience of racing through the snow-blanketed landscape at 10 miles an hour thanks to sled dog power. Want to see professionals race? Plan your trip around the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, which happens at the end of every January.

Race downhill in Cleveland, Ohio

Forget the luge—try tobogganing for a chilly adventure! Book a hotel in Cleveland to get your thrills from the tallest and fastest toboggan chutes in Ohio at 700 feet. The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation is open the day after Thanksgiving through the first weekend in March (weather permitting), providing winter excitement for all.

Cast a line in Bloomington, Minnesota

For ice fishing, be sure to rent the right gear and wear plenty of layers.

Sitting atop a frozen lake for hours may sound either terrifying or incredibly boring, but rest assured ice fishing is neither. Fishing is a Minnesota tradition that continues through the winter months—you just need (at lot) more layers. Stay in Bloomington and find a local bait shop to get the scoop on the best spots for walleye, crappy and pike. Bundle up and don’t forget an ice auger to help you drill through the ice. There are plenty of lakes around the Bloomington area to try—no boat required!

Slide stones in Buffalo, New York

Curling—you know, the sliding of a large stone while a broom clears its path—is not just something to watch every four years. Plan your next stay in Buffalo so the whole family can get in on this icy cousin to shuffleboard. Visit the Buffalo Riverworks complex to experience Olympic regulation curling and test your strength and skill.

Scale the ice in Estes Park, Colorado

For extreme sports enthusiasts, test your limits by scaling a wall of ice.

If you like rock climbing, then you need to try out ice climbing. Natural water features freeze solid in the winter, giving climbers an exciting additional challenge over a typical warm-weather route. As would be expected, a stay in Estes Park, Colorado is full of fantastic ice climbing, including in Rocky Mountain National Park near Fort Collins. First timers will want to check out one of the expert guide services in the area for help and gear rentals.

Get gliding in Washington, D.C.

Drifting across ice with the twinkle of the night sky above you is a must-have winter experience—especially when you plan a trip to Washington D.C. At the National Gallery of Art’s ice skating rink from November to March you can learn to skate, practice your salchow or experience a late-night, starlit skate. When you’re ready to warm up, head indoors to explore its world-renowned art collection.

Bike through the snow in Custer, South Dakota

Experience a unique adventure on a bike built specifically for snowy terrain.

When you want to still hit the trail with some speed this winter, book a hotel in Custer and try fat biking in the Black Hills National Forest near Rapid City. Fat bike tires are 4 to 5 inches wide, allowing for the bike to float over snowy hills with ease. The Big Hill Trail System is a great spot to test your skills, whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate rider. For the more advanced, there are plenty of more difficult routes in the area as well.