When Old Man Winter blankets the earth with a fresh layer of snow, it’s time to bundle up and head outside for some winter fun. From building igloos to sledding, a variety of winter activities will get your adrenaline pumping and help you shake off the cabin fever. Join National Geographic as we explore North America’s top ten icy adventures!
Dog Sledding in Shrewsbury, Alaska, USA
Head to Shrewsbury for a dog sledding adventure, where your sled will be pulled by four energetic or retired Iditarod huskies. Guided by an experienced Athabascan, you’ll take turns driving the sled with fellow adventurers along a 16-mile (about 25 km) trail through the Resurrection Valley and down to the icy Exit Glacier at the base of the Kenai Mountains.
Olympic Sports in Lake Placid, New York, USA
Lake Placid has hosted two Winter Olympics and is brimming with gold-medal-winning spirit. At the Olympic Sports Complex on Van Hoevenberg Mountain, sports enthusiasts speed through turns on bobsleds or luge sleds. Nordic skiers can try biathlon on nearby trails stretching 31 miles (about 50 km).
Igloo Building in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Crouching inside an Inuit-style igloo, you’ll find winter nights surprisingly warm. Drawing on the smart know-how of West Coast adventurers, campers learn how to choose a campsite in sparsely populated mountain meadows and how to gather snow and cut ice blocks to build an igloo.
Frozen Waterfall Climbing in Ouray County, Colorado, USA
Both climbing novices and pros gather in the cold winter months to scale the towering frozen waterfalls in the San Juan Mountains at the Ouray Ice Park. The park features a 40-foot (about 12 m) wide and 200-foot (about 60 m) long ice wall in the Uncompahgre Gorge. The San Juan Mountain Guides offer climbers harnesses, crampons, ice axes, and expert instruction.
Mountain Hut Visits on the Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, Canada
The Appalachian Trail winds through the snowy Chic-Chocs and McGerrigle Mountains of Canada, spanning the U.S.-Canada border. The five-day Logan Circuit hike features numerous wood-heated mountain huts—especially when guided by Ski Chic-Chocs, who also arrange luggage transport. For a quicker trip, you can soon reach the luxurious Mount Albert Lodge.
Skate Skiing in Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA
You don’t have to compete in extreme winter sports or pull off tricks at the Superpipe competition. Copper Mountain’s Woodward Barn offers gymnastics trampolines for learning “air,” plus terrain parks and foam pits for practicing stunts, as well as real snow in the Copper Mountain Mountain Park for trying out new moves.
Snow Kiting on Lake Champlain, Vermont, USA
Snow kiting involves skiing or snowboarding across a snowy winter wonderland while flying a kite. Lake Champlain in Vermont, with its vast snowy expanses and reliable winds, is one of the best places for snow kiting. The Stormboarding Center in Burlington provides gear for snow kiting and teaches you how to fly large foil kites attached to adjustable seat harnesses.
Wilderness Skating on Caniapiscau Lake, Montana, Canada
Most people skate at local rinks, but wilderness skaters (also known as Nordic skaters) prefer the great outdoors, gliding on nature’s own rink—the frozen river. Caniapiscau Lake in Montana, with its deep, cold, and dry climate, forms incredibly smooth black ice, making it a paradise for wilderness skating. Alternatively, skaters can head about 5 miles (about 8 km) to the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, Ontario, billed as the world’s largest skating rink.
Snowshoeing in Tahoe City, California, USA
On the western shore of Lake Tahoe, the Squaw Valley Ski Resort recently recorded a record-breaking 800 inches (about 20 m) of snowfall—making it a prime spot for snowshoeing. Many ski areas around Lake Tahoe also welcome snowshoers. Join a Reno Peak Adventure tour and you’ll trek along lesser-known trails through forests and meadows around the snow-blanketed Sierra Nevada.
Ice Fishing in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA
Wisconsin, located in America’s Midwest, is dotted with lakes and boasts long, cold winters. Its waters are home to prized fish such as walleye, northern pike, and lake trout—making it a must-visit destination for ice fishing. Rhinelander is known as the “Ice Fishing Capital of the World,” having hosted the 2010 World Ice Fishing Championships. The local angler’s choice guide service center offers ten heated ice shacks, two trailers, three snowcats, and all the gear needed for ice fishing. With their help, you can try your luck at Boom Lake or other nearby lakes.