Amazing Frozen Adventures - The Non-Skier’s Guide To Winter

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 here some winter alternatives – from husky sledding in Japan to ice climbing in California. Here goes:

Husky sledding - Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan
Dog-lovers can enjoy the thrill of being transported along scenic 10km winter wonderland trails and absorb the breath-taking views of the Japanese mountains while being led by well-trained huskies. Tours ranging between 2-6hrs. Prices vary according to provider. Details: https://www.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. Shade all day. Ice from November. Details: 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 which 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. Details: 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. Details: 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. All ages. Details: 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. Details: visitseattle.org

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. Details: 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. Details: 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