There’s no denying the fact that skiing is one of the best winter sports of all. With nothing more than a couple of boards strapped to your feet, you get to move downhill at speeds that would make your grandma cringe. However, you can’t always go skiing or maybe skiing isn’t for you!
If you want a bit of wintertime adventure, but you’re not quite ready to venture to the top of a mountain, there are other great alternatives for you. Let’s take a look at 23 skiing alternatives for adventure seekers!
1. Snow Tubing
If you’re looking for a great way to enjoy the snow and wintertime in general, but skiing down a huge mountain is a bit too much for you, then snow tubing is a great alternative to consider. Although snow tubing might not involve rocketing down a huge mountainside at breakneck speeds, there’s still a bit of adrenaline involved.
Furthermore, snow tubing is also a lot more family friendly, especially as far as kids are concerned. A lot of kids might be scared when they get to the top of a mountain strapped to a pair of skis, but looking down a much smaller hill when sitting on an inflatable tube is much less intimidating.
2. Snowboarding
Admittedly, snowboarding is extremely similar to skiing, especially as far as the climate and conditions are concerned. For the most part, people go snowboarding in the same places that they go skiing. This means that you still get to move down a beautiful snow-covered mountainside at some fairly high speeds.
That being said, snowboarding is a bit different than skiing because it usually involves more technical work, as it is slightly more difficult.
However, what’s really neat about snowboarding is that it’s fantastic for doing many different tricks, flips, grinds on rails, and more. It’s a great way for you to move down a mountain side without necessarily rocketing at the same speeds that you would when on a pair of skis.
3. Snowmobiling
Whereas skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are all manual winter adventures, here we have snowmobiling, something that involves you sitting on a very powerful motor that can propel you forwards at ridiculous speeds. For the record, some snowmobiles can easily reach speeds in excess of 100 mph, therefore making them perfect for adrenaline junkies.
The simple fact is that snowmobiles are also very versatile in the sense that you can go downhill, climb mountains, and traverse some of the most beautiful cross-country wooded areas as well. There’s also the fact that you don’t have to do any physical work, which we are sure appeals to many people.
4. Snowshoeing
In terms of physical activity and intensity, here we have snowshoeing, which for all intents and purposes is the exact opposite of snowmobiling. Whereas snowmobiling involved no physical work at all, snowshoeing is probably the most physically intense task on the whole list today.
Snowshoeing has you traversing difficult terrain and snow-covered countryside with what essentially amount to tennis rackets strapped to your feet.
Although it might sound a little odd, millions of people go snowshoeing each year, and it’s actually quite fun. It’s an ideal wintertime adventure for those people who aren’t exactly thrill seekers, and would rather just have a relaxing adventure in Mother Nature.
5. Fat Biking
If trying something new is what you would like to do, then that biking is definitely something worth trying. For those who don’t know what this is, fact biking involves cycling or bicycling on the snow. Although this might seem nearly impossible, this is done using bicycles that are specially equipped just for this purpose.
They have extremely thick tires that are suited for driving on the snow, and some of them even have tracks in the rear like snowmobiles. It can be a whole lot of fun, and it still allows you to reach great speeds. If you have enough scale, you could try fat biking right down a mountainside just like skiing.
6. Ice Skating
While some of us might like going downhill at high speeds, slopes aren’t for everybody, in which case flat ground might be more suitable for you. If you want a great wintertime adventure that involves being horizontal the whole time, you might want to try ice skating.
Ice skating is relatively slow paced, it’s graceful, and it allows you to practice a great deal of skill and technique. Being a professional ice skater is of course not easy, but no one says that you have to compete in the nationals. On the other hand, if you’re with a group of friends, get some sticks and pucks and have yourself a game of hockey.
7. Sledding or Tobogganing
If sitting down is what you like to do, but you’d still like to experience the exhilarating rush of moving down a snow-covered hill, then you might want to try some tobogganing or sledding. Whether you have an old school toboggan, a modern sled, crazy carpet, or a saucer, they all make for great fun.
Let’s not forget the fact that tobogganing and sledding are great for the whole family too, whereas skiing might only be ideal for some slightly more advanced people. You don’t travel quite as fast or have as much control as with skiing, but it still allows for a good day of fun, especially when there’s a hot cup of cocoa at the end of it all.
8. Ice Climbing
Moving away from the simpler stuff, here we have ice climbing, which is absolutely the most exhilarating, adrenaline pumping, and difficult winter adventure on our list today. Ice climbing has you donning a whole lot of specialized gear and climbing up what essentially amounts to vertical walls of ice.
For anybody who likes to experience as much adrenaline as Bruce Willis fighting off Hans Gruber, then this is definitely the sport for you. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but if you like adventure, then it is worth a try.
9. Winter Hiking
Going right back in the other direction, if slow paced relaxation is what you like, then doing some regular winter hiking might be best for you. Here, you get to walk through some snow-covered trails and enjoy the serene beauty that is Mother Nature.
While skiing is high paced, a good winter hike is very slow paced. This is something that you can easily do with a group of friends, combined with something like bird watching or collecting various pieces of nature.
On the other hand, if you’re just having a long day and you want to be alone, then going for a solo hike for a bit of reflection time is a good idea too.
10. Dog Sledding
Although it’s not something that a lot of people will get to experience, if you live in a place like Alaska or any other such area that is known for dog sledding, then this is something that you should absolutely try at least once in your life.
Dog sledding offers an absolutely unparalleled adventure that nothing else can rival, whether we’re talking about skiing, tobogganing, or snowmobiling.
There’s just nothing like the feeling of having a dozen large Huskies pulling you along. You might think that dog sledding is fairly slow, but you’d be mistaken because once those dogs have had a nice meal, they can run very fast.
11. Roller Skiing
If you happen to be a professional skier or just someone who loves skiing so much that you can’t wait until the snow comes back, then you could try some roller skiing. For those who don’t know what this is, imagine a pair of skis with wheels strapped to the bottom, almost like a combination of skis and roller skates.
Now, this is not something that most people would just do for fun, but rather it is designed as a hardcore training exercise for professional skiers. However, if professional skiing is something you might like to try, then you might as well start with some summertime roller skiing.
12. Hiking
We already covered wintertime hiking, but let’s face it, the cold isn’t always fun, and if you aren’t wearing the proper gear, you’ll start to freeze really quickly. Therefore, you could always try hiking during the warmer seasons. It’s a good physical activity that can help you burn some calories, all without being too adventurous or exhilarating.
If you just like being relaxed and connecting with mother nature, then going for a nice hike is always a great option to consider. The simple reality is that there are hundreds if not thousands of hiking trails located across the USA, all of which are ripe for exploration.
13. Mountain Biking
If it’s summertime but you still have a hankering to be on the mountain, then you could always try some mountain biking. Instead of being strapped to two pieces of fiberglass, here you are sitting on a seat that is firmly mounted above two wheels.
If you thought that skiing down a mountain was adventurous, just wait until you’re flying down a mountainside at breakneck speeds on an aluminum bicycle. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could try downhill Alpine biking, which involves rocketing down a mountainside while also navigating diverse trails, jumps, and obstacles. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
14. Rock Climbing
Whereas most of the activities that we discussed so far involved going down a mountain or being on flat ground, here we have one of the few that has you traveling upwards. Yes, here we’re talking about rock climbing, which is in fact one of the most physically intense and challenging adventures on the list today.
The simple reality is that rock climbing is not for the faint of heart and it takes a whole lot of courage to climb up a totally vertical and sheer rock face. That said, it’s a great way to test your mental fortitude and your physical abilities. That said, it’s probably not something that you want to do alone.
15. Trail Running
If you like traveling at high speeds, but you like doing so under your own power, then you might as well try some trail running. Once again, there are thousands upon thousands of different trails located all across the USA that make for perfect daytime adventures.
If you’re somebody who likes to explore the great outdoors, but you’re too impatient to do so at a walking pace, then this is the adventure for you. It’s also a great way to get some exercise while being outdoors.
16. Kayaking or Canoeing
Whereas everything we’ve talked about here today has been on the ground, now we want to take a look at a water adventure, kayaking or canoeing. Although kayaking and canoeing are definitely not the best for thrill seekers, they are great for people who like the water.
Remember, when you go canoeing and kayaking, you can also go swimming right from your pleasure crafts, not to mention that fishing is always an option as well. If you just want a bit about relaxation while pleasantly gliding across some serene water, then both canoeing and kayaking are worth a try.
17. Paragliding
For those people who like a whole lot of adventure and adrenaline, you could always try paragliding. If you fancy yourself a bald eagle who soars above everyone else, but you don’t have your own wings to fly with, then paragliding is the next best option. If you think paragliding is an adventure, try what this man did and paraglide on a motorized scooter!
Of course, this is not something for beginner thrill seekers, and it’s not something that you usually do alone the first time.
All of that being said, if you want a bird’s eye view of everyone down below, and you like the idea of everybody looking as small as ants, then paragliding is something you should absolutely check out at least once in your life. Those panoramic views are unbeatable.
Read Related: 25 of the Most Famous Places for Paragliding in the World
18. Ziplining
If a fast-paced adventure is what you want, you like seeing the world below you, and moving at high speeds is what you like, then zip lining is also worth a try.
There are of course different types of zip lining, such as zip lining where you are spanned in between two cliffs right above a large canyon, as well as treetop zip lining where you zip through tree top canopies, such as in a jungle or rainforest.
It’s a great way to get them high speed adventure in, it’s a good way to get your adrenaline pumping, and if you’re doing treetop zip lining, you’ll probably get to see a bit of wildlife as well.
19. Whitewater Rafting
Going back to the water, although canoeing and kayaking are of course a whole lot of relaxing fun, relaxation isn’t for everybody. If you’re somebody who likes the feel of your adrenaline pumping and your heart beating out of your chest, then some whitewater rafting might be right for you.
Whitewater rafting involves navigating fast moving waters, often filled with obstacles, all while trying to stay seated in an inflatable raft. Although it might sound a bit scary, which it can be at times, it provides A thrill like nothing else, not to mention that it’s something that you get to do with your best friends.
20. Canyoning
Canyoning, also known as canyoneering, involves traversing canyons. Here, you might climb down a rock face into a Canyon, hike through it, and then possibly have to do some swimming as well.
This is by far one of the most unique adventures that offers a mix of challenges because there are so many different terrains. It can be challenging and a bit dangerous too, which is something that many people absolutely love.
21. Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
When it comes to exploring clean and clear seas and bodies of water, stand up paddle boarding is something worth trying. It’s a really gentle and slow-paced activity that won’t get your adrenaline pumping in the least, therefore making it ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels. If you just want a day of relaxation, but you don’t want to sit inside, then stand-up paddle boarding is a neat option to consider.
22. Igloo Building
If you fancy yourself a bit of an architect, and you were always a fan of those awesome snow igloos that people in the north are known for building, then igloo building is something that you could try for yourself.
Now, make no mistake about it, because building an igloo is not easy. This is something that takes a whole lot of skill, technique, time and patience.
That said, it’s a great way to connect with your friends and to work in a team environment, not to mention that you also get to learn a thing or two about old school architecture.
23. Ice Sculpting
Last but not least we have ice sculpting, which is one of the admittedly only artistic activities on the list today. Get yourself a chainsaw, some manual saws, hammers, and ice picks, and see what you can create.
There are some absolutely amazing ice carving and ice sculpting competitions out there where professionals create absolutely mammoth sized ice sculptures using high-powered chainsaws in mere minutes. If you’re an artistic type, then this is certainly something that is ideal for you.
These 23 activities provide a range of options for adventure seekers who love skiing but are looking for something different. Each offers its own unique way to enjoy the outdoors and experience new challenges. Whether you’re gliding on snow, water, or air, or exploring nature by foot, bike, or boat, there’s always a new adventure waiting for you.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!
