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There
is no reason that a little snow should slow you down during the cold winter
months. There are plenty of activities that can keep you warm during the
winter, especially if you’re interested in playing in the snow. Snow sports
continue to grow in popularity and provide a surprising number of options
for the entire family.
Here
is a look at five snow sports that you should try this winter.
Cross-country
skiing
Cross-county skiing is widely recognized as one of the healthiest snow
activities. It’s not only a great way to burn a few calories during the
winter months—cross-country skiing can also be quite enjoyable. The motion
of cross-country skiing is non-jarring and easy on the joints, making a
great alternative to high impact exercise like running. Because
cross-country skiing uses every major muscle group, it tones the whole body
and is an excellent way to burn fat and work the cardiovascular system.
Exercising may be a chore, but cross-country skiing is an adventure.
Snowmobiling
Although primarily a recreational activity, snowmobiling also provides many
other useful functions. In remote portions of Canada and the US, snowmobiles
are some citizens' primary source of transportation. The number of
snowmobilers continues to climb each year, with an estimated four million
snowmobilers enjoying the sport in the US and Canada. Snowmobiling appeals
to people of all ages—from kids to senior citizens. Snowmobiles are often
available for rental at many winter resorts. With just a few minutes of
training, you’ll be ready to hit cruise through the powdery snow at speeds
up to 50 miles per hour.
Snowboarding
In
recent years, ski resorts have shared the slopes with more snowboarders than
ever before. The wide single skis are an exciting way to get down the
slopes. Snowboarding is easier to pick up than you might think. The feet are
loosely bound perpendicular to the board. No special footwear is required
for snow boarding, but podiatric physicians say large, sturdy, insulated
boots flexible enough to accommodate the twisting of the lower body are best
to safely control the board. Most popular with young people, snowboarding
has become a bona fide alpine sport, and more snowboarders will share the
slopes with skiers in the future.
Snowshoeing
Slap
on a couple oversized shoes, and you are on your way. There may not be a
more simple, snow sport that snowshoeing. Showshoeing can accommodate a wide
variety of activities—a casual hike in the woods, an overnight backpack
trip, or an alpine climb. Snowshoes are highly maneuverable, allowing you to
go places where cross-country skiers and snowmobilers cannot go. Traveling
through thickly wooded and/or steep terrain is not a problem when you’re
wearing snowshoes. You’ll find snowshoes available for rental at most winter
resorts, making them a nice choice for adventurous types that are not as
comfortable on skis.
Snow Tubing and
Sledding
Easy
and fun, tubing is yet another way to hit the slopes and is becoming
increasingly popular among people of all ages. It's a fun and fast ride to
the bottom of the hill and many snow-tubing parks offer the added bonus of a
towrope or lift that eliminates the long, uphill climb to the top. Some
downhill ski and snowboard hills now offer snow tubing for fun for the whole
family. No special training or advanced skill level is needed for this
high-speed sport. Jump on a sled or tube and hang on as you speed down the
side of a mountain.
Chris Saunders is a freelance writer living
in Illinois.
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