It's Not Just The Skiing - Resorts Present A Non-Skier’s Guide to Winter – 13 Amazing Frozen Adventures
Don’t see the fun in strapping wooden planks to your feet and careening down a steep mountain? For those seeking fun alternatives to skiing and snowboarding, discover 13 winter activities – from husky sledding in Japan to ice climbing in California – to suit every taste.
Action and Adventure
Husky sledding - Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
Dog-lovers can enjoy the thrill of being transported along scenic winter wonderland trails and absorb the breath-taking views of the Japanese mountains while being led by well-trained huskies. With trails more than 10km long, set sight on Japan’s lesser-known backcountry routes with tours ranging between 2-6hrs. Tour prices vary according to provider. japan.travel
Ice climbing – Mammoth Lakes, California
On the outskirts of Mammoth Lakes in California's Sierra Nevada lies the Lee Vining Cascade, an internationally-renowned ice climbing destination. Whether visitors want to experience the thrill of climbing a frozen waterfall or enjoy an accessible training ground for high peaks with top quality instructors, there’s an ice program for it. There are plenty of routes to climb, allowing climbers of any level to be challenged. The area receives shade nearly all day with ice forming around early November. visitmammoth.com
Cross-country skiing – Yosemite Mariposa County, California
If your idea of the perfect winter retreat is to head into beautiful and isolated backcountry and retire to a rustic ski hut at the end of the day, then this is for you. While technically skiing, cross-country skiing is when skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than ski lifts or gravity - making it more of a means to get spectacular, back-country views than a sport. Glide through one of the main cross country ski trails in Yosemite to fully appreciate it’s majestic, wintery beauty. Yosemite offers some of the best cross-country skiing in California, with more than 90 miles of marked trails and 25 miles of machine-groomed track. yosemite.com
Heli-cave winter adventure – Whistler, Canada
Check into one of Whistler’s most luxurious properties, Fairmount Chateau Whistler, for the chance to explore the most remote glaciers via helicopter, offered exclusively by the hotel. Lift off from Whistler and fly over Canada’s southernmost ice fields and explore an evolving landscape of ice and snow by snowmobile, snow bike or snow buggy. Once at the top, guests can tee off for a little glacier golf while giving back to the environment – 3% of the profits go to the ‘White is Green’ Ice Cap Research Initiative which facilities research projects and student learning opportunities in a real-world Ice Cap setting. whistler.com
Snowmobiling – South Lake Tahoe, California
Located in the stunning Sierra Nevada mountain range and nestled on the border between California and Nevada, South Lake Tahoe is a hot spot for cold weather adventures. Turn up the speed with a fast-paced ride through the snow. Hop on a snowmobile tour through the mountain trails and snow-covered trees of South Lake Tahoe and Hope Valley. Zephyr Cove Snowmobile Center guides adventurers through the back-country trails where the elevation reaches nearly 9,000 feet. It’s an incredible vantage point for panoramic views and the perfect spot for selfies. Lake Tahoe Adventures offers a variety of tours for all ages. tahoesouth.com
Fat-biking in the North Cascades, Washington State
Fat-biking is a fun way to navigate the mountains without having to strap on a pair of skis. Specially-made bicycles with ultra-wide tyres allow the rider to breeze across snowy surfaces with ease and provide a great alternative activity to skiing. Trails open to fat-bikers are announced daily at Methow Trails, a resort in Washington’s North Cascades that is recognised as one of the finest locations in North America for cross-country and Nordic skiing, mountain biking, trail running and hiking. visitseattle.org
Calm, Cool and Collected
Ice fishing at Twin Lakes, Colorado
The main season for ice fishing in Colorado is December to late February, when the ice is typically safe and conditions are right. Twin Lakes Reservoirs are great for fishing Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, longnose sucker and other species. Home to the Leadville Rod and Gun Club's annual February Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby, the two bodies of water combine for 2,700 acres of lake trout bliss at the base of picturesque Mt. Elbert, Colorado's tallest peak. Before layering up and heading out, pop into a tackle shop for advice on the best places to go, the best bait to use and plenty of fish tales. colorado.com
Zao Sumikawa snow monster spectacle – Miyagi, Japan
Boarding the Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures is Zao Sumikawa snow park, located at 1100 meters, the highest-elevation in Miyagi. Visitors can hike, book a snow cat vehicle tour or take the gondola from Zao Sanroku to the famous ‘snow monsters’ of Miyagi-Zao. During the winter months, trees take on curious shapes due to the heavy snowfall and freezing winds, disfiguring and transforming them into monsters. During the evening, the monsters around the summit are lit up with visitors invited to enjoy the view with from outside or from inside a cosy nearby café. visitmiyagi.com
Snowshoe tours – Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, California
Snowshoeing through Shirley Canyon is the best way to get up close and personal with the landscape. Beginning in December 2019, Alpenglow Expeditions will introduce new half-day guided snowshoe tours through the beautiful Shirley Canyon. Already a popular hiking route in summer, the new experience will allow visitors to explore with the help of an expert mountain guide. squawalpine.com
Snowshoeing in Tuolumne Grove – Yosemite’s Tuolumne County
Head farther south to continue a snowshoeing adventure. Located 2.5 hours east of the San Francisco bay area lies Yosemite’s Tuolumne County; a destination consisting of three unique experiences in the Gold Country, High Sierra and Yosemite National Park. Those looking for a truly beautiful winter activity should try snowshoeing the 2.5-mile loop in Tuolumne Grove located on the outskirts of the park. This grove is quieter than its popular counterpart and due to that very fact, allows for a more peaceful time hiking amongst the majestic giants. visittuolumne.com
Hakuba Mountain Beach – Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Torn between a snow or sun holiday? Now you don’t have to choose. Opened July 2019, Hakuba Mountain Beach is perched 1,400 metres above sea level in a famed Japanese ski resort. Take a dip in one of the inviting bubbling Jacuzzis around the snow before stepping into a four-person gondola sauna. This new mountain beach is scheduled to stay open throughout the winter season, allowing for a taste of summer during the snowy months. japan.travel
Big Bear Mountain – California
Big Bear Mountain offers the ‘Alpine Slide’, the only authentic bobsled experience in Southern California. Riders navigate their own sled down the run with an option of two quarter-mile long cement tracks filled with high-banked turns and long tracks. Riders can have control over the speed using the brake with the control handle. Prices start from £4/ $6 per run.www.visitcalifornia.co.uk
Rusutsu, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
One of the best ski resorts in Hokkaido, Rusutsu Resort offers visitors the ultimate in R&R. Enjoy sweeping views of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park from the hot springs, or enjoy the spacious outdoor cave bath, jet bath and the dry and steam saunas. For those wishing to get on the mountain, try snow rafting – flying over the snow in a rubber boat attached to a snowmobile. japan.travel
