Snow Sports

If you’re looking for information on snow sports or winter activities because the prospect of lounging on a beach is just too boring, then you’ve arrived at the right place. We love the great outdoors and we like to make the most of our free time in it, especially when there’s fresh snow to plough through!

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Winter Sport Injury

How to limit the chances of snow sport injuries

We all love to race down a mountain full of fresh snow but the odds of doing it safely are against us! Forewarned is forearmed as they say!

Read about winter sport injuries and risk mitigation >>

Snowboard Binding Types & Setups

Read this article to get clarity on the types of bindings available for snowboarding and their various setups.

See more on Snowboard Bindings and Setups >>

Snowboard binding setups

What to Wear Snowboarding & Skiing

Some things are a must-buy when you’re planning a winter trip on the slopes but sometimes you can go over the top. Check out our guide for the full low down on key snow sports apparel.

Read about snowboarding and skiing gear >>

Snow Sports Gear

Buying the right gear for snow sports is vital not just for comfort but also from a safety aspect too. Snow sports are responsible for a high number of injuries obtained while on vacation, so it’s important to do your research ahead of time. Lucky for you we’ve done much of the leg work for you and broken the information up into easily consumed morcels.

Snowboard Boots

There are an array of boot styles on the market, all geared towards different riding styles. This article walks you through the varying boot attributes and what you should be looking for with some recommendations.

Our top Pick: DC Travis Rice

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Kids Ski / Snowboard Helmets

Children and snow mean just one thing – FUN! This fun can be stressful as a parent as accidents and injury can happen on the slopes. Protection is always advised especially in the form of helmets.

We’ve compiled a shortlist of some of the best out there. We don’t mind which you choose, just make sure they wear one.

Our top Pick: VOKUL

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Best Snowboard Bindings

Want to control your snowboard and be comfortable doing it? Get your snowboard bindings right. This article puts you straight and helps to bring you to a good investment decision.

Our top Pick: Burton Cartel

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Snowboard Bags

Looking for a snowboard bag but don’t know which way to turn? We plough through the marketplace and bring you a shortlist to help expedite your buying decision.

Our top Pick: Burton Wheelie

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Ski / Snowboarding Kneepads

Knees are one of the first points of contact with the ground when you’re slammed forwards. These little protective beauties are worth their weight in gold if there happens to be rock just lurking below the snow surface.

Our top Pick: Demon Hyper

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Snowmobile Handlebar Gauntlets

If you’re looking for the best handlebar gauntlets and mitts for your snowmobile you’re in luck. We’ve scooted through the best available and reviewed a shortlist for you to cast your eyes over.

Top Pick: Kolpin Mitts

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Ski / Snowboard Wrist Guards

It’s a fact that wrist injuries are among the most common type of injuries suffered by skiers and in particular, snowboarders. Simple wrist guards can be the difference between a good and bad winter holiday experience.

Top Pick: Soared Impact

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Ski / Snowboard Locks

You save up all year to buy great gear, search, find and pay for the perfect resort, then get your skis stolen on the first day! That’s a holiday destroyer right there!

Make the minor investment in a decent lock and at least make the thieves work damned hard to get them. Don’t let your belongings be the easy target.

Top Pick: Fat Ski Lock

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Ski / Snowboard Padded Impact Shorts

I remember my first experience of snowboarding and the battering that my body took from the compacted snow. The fluffy powder had long since gone. I vowed to better protect my bruised body next time and invested in some grade-A padding.

Top Pick: Bodyprox

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Snow Sports

For many people, the winter season is a time for fun and excitement. And for those who love to ski or snowboard, the winter season is the best time of year. There are so many different snow sports that can be enjoyed, from skiing and snowboarding to tubing and sledding. No matter what your age or experience level, there is a snow sport that is perfect for you.

Kids having instruction at ski school

If you are new to skiing or snowboarding, it is important to take a lesson from a professional instructor. This will help you learn the basics of these sports and make your experience more enjoyable. Ski resorts offer beginner lessons for both skiing and snowboarding, and there are also many private instructors who can help you learn the sport in a controlled environment. It is also important to remember that even experienced skiers and snowboarders need lessons from time to time, particularly if they are trying something new or want to improve their technique.

Snow sports are wonderful for both children and adults alike. Today, families often take ski vacations together so that everyone can enjoy the fun and excitement of a day on the slopes. Kids learn to ski or snowboard as young as three years old, and by the time they are six or seven, they can be pretty great skiers with the right instruction. And for older kids and adults, learning to ski or snowboard in a group is a great way to make friends.

Snow Tubing

Snow tubing is another fun winter activity that children and adults of all ages can enjoy. Snow tubing involves going down a hill on an inner tube, which can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour! For many people, especially families, this is a great way to explore the snowy mountains in winter and have fun with the kids.

Snow sports are popular because they are so versatile. For example, if you do not feel like skiing or snowboarding on one day, there are many other activities that can be enjoyed when it snows. You might want to go sledding with your children or maybe try ice skating for a change of pace.

There are many sports and fun activities that take place on snow or ice, in fact there is a whole event dedicated to them every 4 years in the form of the Winter Olympics. Some of the activities include: Skiing, Snowboarding, Luge, Bobsleigh, Skeleton, Speed Skating, Curling, Ice Skating, Alpine Skiing, Freestyle Skiing and Ski Jumping to name just a few.

Here’s a list of the most popular activities that the majority of winter sports lovers take part in:

  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding
  • Ice Skating
  • Ice Hockey
  • Sledding/Tobogganing

Skiing

Skiing is probably the most popular of all winter sports. It is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Skiing involves traveling down a hill on two skis, and there are many different types of skiing, including downhill skiing, freestyle skiing, and cross-country skiing

Cross country skiers

There are many countries around the world where you can ski at different times of year such as the United States, Canada, Europe, and even Australia. In the United States, skiing is most popular in states such as Colorado, Utah, California, and Wyoming.

Every ski resort caters to skiers of all levels with areas of the slopes assigned colors that represent difficulty levels that vary from a green circle (easy) to double black diamond (expert).

Skiers enjoying a gentle Green Circle run

Ski resorts offer lessons for both skiing and snowboarding, as well as equipment that can be rented on site. Many families choose ski vacations instead of summer vacations because they know the kids will have just as much fun learning a snow sport as being on the beach. Every kid loves snow, right?

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is very popular and is considered the fastest-growing winter sport. It was invented by Jake Burton Carpenter and Tom Sims, and is vaguely similar to skiing but done on a single board. Snowboarding can be done on all types of terrain and follows the same color designation as skiing for describing the skill level of the mountain slopes.

Snowboarder (left) heading down the slopes

Snowboarding is generally a younger person sport as it’s pretty unforgiving of mistakes. It’s right up there on the snow sport injury list so be warned if you’re aiming to get into it! There are many competitions that take place all around the world including the Olympics. Watching the freestyle snowboarders is truly something to behold and is not for the faint-hearted.

Ice Skating

If skiing is not your thing then maybe ice skating is more up your street? Ice skating is one of the most well-known winter sports and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Ice skating is the act of moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for recreation, exercise, or sport.

Ice skaters

Ice skating has been around for centuries and was originally done as a form of transportation. There are many different types of ice skating, including figure skating, speed skating, ice hockey, bandy, rink bandy, broomball, synchronized skating and more.

Ice skating is a popular activity at many places around the world including public areas or arenas that have been specifically designed for it. Many families love to do this together as it gets everyone out of the house during wintertime! The majority of ice skating rinks offer classes for all ages and abilities, as well as skate rentals.

Ice Hockey

If you’re looking for a more competitive sport then why not try ice hockey? Ice hockey is a contact sport that is played on ice. It is very popular in North America, Europe, and Russia. The objective of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team by hitting a flat disc called a Puck past a goaltender and into a small netted goal.

Ice hockey

Ice hockey is a physically demanding sport and requires a lot of stamina, speed, and strength. There are many different positions that players can play, such as goaltender, defenseman, and forward. Players use ice hockey skates, a stick, and a puck to play the game. There is a lot of padded clothing and guards worn to protect you from collisions of other players and being struck by the puck or caught by an opponent’s stick!

The sport is governed by the International Ice Hockey Federation and is played in over sixty countries. Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the Winter Olympics and has been played in this event since 1920, although its origins go back to Canada in 1875.

Sledding / Tobogganing

This is a classic childhood pastime that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. All you need is a sled or toboggan and a hill!

Sledding / tobogganing

Sledding / Tobogganing is a great exercise and is a lot of fun. It’s also really affordable as all you need is a sled or toboggan and some warm waterproof clothing.

Sledding is generally done on a hill but you can also sled in large open areas such as a snow-covered field and be pulled or pushed by a friend. There are many different types of sleds, some better for going down hills and others designed to go across flat areas. Just make sure that the area you are sledding in is safe.

The majority of sledding hills are free to use, however, some may charge a small fee depending on where you are. It’s good to go with friends as the more the merrier. Most kids love doing this for hours on end so be prepared to spend time building snowmen, having snowball fights or making snow angels.

The sport of sledding has been around for hundreds of years and was first used as a way to get people over snowy hills quickly. The first toboggan was created by the indigenous people of North America, who used them to transport goods across snowy ground more efficiently. Toboggans today are much more comfortable and generally have steering devices, such as ropes or handles.

Safety Precautions for Snow Sports

Before you head out for a day of snow sports, it’s important to take some safety precautions to make sure you have a good time and stay safe. Here are some things to remember:

Make sure to wear the appropriate safety gear that’s particular to the activity or take necessary equipment with you. This includes but isn’t limited to: life jackets, ice picks, flares, food, navigational tools (map and compass), extra batteries for your headlamp or flashlight, methods of keeping warm etc.

Dress appropriately. Make sure that you’re wearing layers, so that if one layer gets wet from sweat or snow you can change and add another layer. Wear a wind-resistant outer shell, and wear a hat to protect your head and face from the cold.

Wear good quality goggles or shades to protect you from strong sunlight and glare from the snow.

Know where you are going and make sure you have enough supplies for the way back as well. You don’t want to get stranded somewhere without any food or shelter. Be aware of the weather conditions and take appropriate precautions.

Avoid avalanche terrain. Avalanches are a very real danger when skiing or snowboarding in the backcountry, and can be fatal. Make sure you know how to identify avalanche terrain and take all local advice and precautions.

Tips on how to enjoy your time in the snow

It sounds obvious but staying dry and warm are the biggest points for enjoying your time in the snow. If you’re neither of these, you will soon feel very uncomfortable and your fun will quickly turn to misery and you’ll seek to get to the warm and dry areas asap.

Stay safe and have fun within your ability and skill level. Overstretching yourself often leads to injury in winter sports and these injuries can be severe.

If you’re going off the beaten track, take someone with you or at least let several people know where you are at all times and set check-in times with those people.

Enjoy

Winter holidays are by far my most favorite holidays, they beat beach holidays hands down every time. I like to be active and there are so many snow activities to take part in that the days are filled with fun from start to finish.

I prefer to wrap up in the cold, get active outdoors, then come indoors at the end of the day to a roaring fire and hot food and drink.