As the local weather starts to turn cooler, thoughts turn to planning some exciting wintersports activities and adventures. So whether you want to wrap up warm and head out to hike up a mountain or stay indoors and try your hand at curling or figure skating, consider one of these destinations;
10. New Paltz, New York, United States – Curling is becoming a favorite winter activity. Those who love to go curling or who want to learn this sport should head to New Paltz which is a popular year round destination and home to the Shawangunk Ridge, North America’s busiest rock climbing destination.
9. Yabuli, China – Head to northeast China for a skiing fix, where locals have really got into skiing in the last ten years. The Yabuli resort is packed with wealthy businessmen and young trendsetters who want to experience the largest ski run in China at some 3,000 meters.
8. Stowe, Vermont, United States – Stowe is the best freestyle skiing destination in the USA and is located near Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain. Beginners should head to Spruce Peak, while experts can enjoy the Front Four. Visitors to Stowe will also enjoy ice climbing activities on Mount Mansfield.
7. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina – Calling all snowboarders, skiers and freestylers! Bariloche caters to snow-lovers of all abilities with a great lift system to explore the terrain by day and plenty of bars, nightclubs and restaurants to discover at night.
6. Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States – Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States has the top facility in the world for figure skating. This facility is used by world-class athletes from around the world. The facility offers classes in many forms of dancing, power skating and has three jump harnesses available.
5. Oberhof, Germany – Many wintersports enthusiasts are falling in love with the sport of biathlon. The combination of rifle shooting and cross-country skiing is best done in Oberhof, Germany, which also has wonderful bobsled, luge, and Nordic skiing facilities. Oberhof is also home to the first ski tunnel in Germany.
4. Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, Australia – Serious skiers will appreciate Cradle Mountain in the Lake St Clair National Park which attracts diehard ski fans thanks to the unforgiving terrains and limited facilities. What the area lacks in plush après-ski facilities it more than makes up for with breathtaking landscapes and is largely crowd and queue-free.
3. Lake Placid, New York, United States – Luge is popular around the world. One of the best facilities is located at Lake Placid, New York. The track which was built for the 1980s Winter Olympics offer rides with professionals for those who are not faint of heart. For those who are even braver the track also offers the ability to go it alone. Lake Placid has many winter sport activities making it the third best winter sports destination.
2. Mayrhofen, Austria – Those who think that winter was made for snowboarding should head to Mayrhofen, Austria. Located in the Zillertal valley of the Austrian Alps the atmosphere is great for laying back and enjoying some great snowboarding activity on the untracked powder. Visitors will also want to make a day trip to the nearby Hintertux Glacier.
1. Whistler, Canada – Probably the best downhill skiing location in the world, Whistler was after all, a town that was built and dedicated to serious skiers. Many professionals use this mountain to train for world-class competition. And when you’re not skiing the town offers an active nightlife.
