Get Out There!

Get the Most of Your Winter by Engaging in Winter Sports
 
By Avanti Vadivelu
 
Ok, so we should all agree that hibernating all winter season long will do no one any good. After all, it’ll just make you cranky with possible seasonal affective disorder, lazy with nothing to help your blood circulate or your heart rate going, and just plain bored with cabin fever. Sure, there are activities that can get you going indoors… but why not embrace this part of the year with open arms by getting out there and taking full advantage of sports that only the cold weather can bring. 
 
Ice Skating
Hardly anything is as romantic or cozy as going on an ice figure skating date with your significant other followed by a couple of steaming hot cups of cocoa. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an ice skating novice, skating hand in hand with that special someone gives you that added warmth needed for those cold winter nights. Your date could also give you that extra padding needed for those clumsy tumbles on the ice. But let’s face it, there’s worse things than falling into the arms of the one you love, right? By the way, ice skating isn’t just for couples! Go with a group of your friends and laugh at on another while trying to make a complete ring around the ice rink without tripping! Besides, you never know who you could “skate” into while on your group outing.
 
Looking for something to get your heart pumping even faster? How about trying out speed skating? Several community ice rinks offer lessons in such events for people of all ages. Check out your local ice rink to see what they have to offer.
 
Snowboarding
Just in case you’ve been living under a rock during the past few Winter Olympics, let us enlighten you on one of the fastest growing winter sport phenomena….Snowboarding, created in the United States in the 1960’s, is a sport is similar to skiing, but inspired by surfing and skateboarding. It became an official Winter Olympic sport in 1998 and is popular among almost anyone interested in hitting the slopes during the snowy season. It’s true that snowboarding is a sport that’s fun to catch on for newcomers, and exciting to try out for old skiing pros. According to a report conducted by CNN in January or 2004, the number of snowboarders has increased well above 300% since 1988. Part of the attraction may be because of it’s relatively lower cost (a pair of skis may run anywhere between $400-$1,000, whereas a beginner snowboard would run about $200). The younger generation may also be more drawn to snowboarding than other winter sports due to the fact that one can try stunts pretty easily with it. Try it out yourself to see what the fuss is all about! Who knows? You may find yourself immersed in that hip, cool snowboarding culture that exists in America today.
 
Skiing
Of course, we’d be amiss if we failed to mention the most popular winter sport in America, and perhaps the world, today. Skiing remains the most practiced sport in the mountains, despite the growing popularity of snowboarding. What better way to experience the beauty of snow capped mountains during those winter months than getting a ride up a ski lift and swishing down to the bottom on a pair of skis. Or, work those muscles out by indulging in an afternoon of cross-country skiing. Plan a ski getaway with your family, significant other or friends and rent a cozy mountain cabin or stay at a posh ski resort. After a fun filled day on the slopes wind down with a warming massage, dip in a hot tub, or indulge yourself with the best of malt liquors (hey… whatever to stay warm, right?!). Want a unique spin on skiing? Try the latest in winter sports – skiboarding (or snowblading). Skiboards are basically shorter skis (usually around 1 meter in length) and allow for more maneuvering and increased flexibility. This trendy new sport has been seen practiced on mountains for the last five years, and has recently been tagged as a legitimate competitive sport. Be warned, though! According to www.ski-injury.com, skiboarding causes the most injuries than any other winter sport! 
 
Ice hockey
Are you the type of person who would rather get their recreation through team sports? Do you fill your summer weekends with games of ultimate Frisbee and your fall weekends with some good ol’ fashioned football fun? This winter season gather your chums for a game of ice hockey. Get a schedule from your local community ice rink to see when time/space is available for an independent game of ice hockey. Or, take part in this heart-thumping sport in a more organized fashion. There are several amateur hockey leagues across the country just waiting for new members. Never done this before? Your local community ice rink may host ice hockey lessons for both youth and adults. And don’t worry, ice hockey is fun for those of us who would rather sit on the sidelines as well. Look up your local professional ice hockey team’s game schedule to watch a fast-paced, rough and tough game of puck & ice! (Yes, you CAN enjoy winter sports as a spectator!)
 
Sledding
Sledding – it’s not just for kids! The next big snowfall in your city is a great excuse to bring that old sled out of the attic and haul it to the big hill in your community. Not only is sledding a super-fun way of taking a wild ride down snow-filled hills, it’s quite a workout as you trek back up the snowy hill to enjoy another ride. Of course, it’s fun to find a hidden hill in which you and your friends or loved one can experience the white day on your own, but it’s also a blast to be among the kids in your neighborhood while taking your sled ride. Can you think of a better sound than children squealing with joy as they speed down the hills?
 
While ice-skating, snowboarding, skiing, ice hockey and sledding are definitely among the most popular winter sports that you can take part in, here are some other more “non-traditional” sports to keep in mind the next time you’re feeling a case of cabin fever coming on:

• Building a snowman
• Snowball fighting
• Ice fishing
• Ice boating or sailing
• Ice swimming
• Dogsledding or Dogsled racing
• Snow trekking

 
What other unique winter sports have you taken part in? Got any suggestions or recommendations for quality winter weekend getaways? Have an idea of how to get your kids involved in winter sports? Please share your thoughts with the MyHealthGate community!