It is that time of year when we all think about our winter holiday. As children most of us enjoyed playing in the snow, making snowmen and sledging down which ever banking we came across. But there is more to having fun in the snow than just a snowball fight. In recent years some of the newer snow sports have come to light and been taken upon by many enthusiasts.

Snow Shoeing

One of the oldest forms of transportation through snow. It is believed that they were originally invented over 6,000 years ago! Today it is a popular sport enjoyed by many mountain lovers that want to get away from ski resorts and the piste. Snowshoes are cheap to rent and one of the most affordable winter sport kits to buy. Deep snow can be easily tackled with them and you can explore to your hearts content. Anybody can try snow-shoeing, even children and seniors. What a better way for a family day out everybody can enjoy.

Ski Touring

This is another old form of transportation which has turned into a competitive sport over the years. The best bit about Ski Touring is the fact you can go up the mountain on a pair of ski\’s. The ski\’s have a special strip which is called a “skin”. The skin\’s are placed under the ski for going up hill and stops you sliding backwards. They are then removed again when you want to come down. This form of skiing also lets you go exploring into the wilderness and gives you freedom to the routes you choose. It is necessary to be confident in skiing downhill but you can choose easy, medium and harder routes to suit your tastes.

Split Boarding

So if you prefer a snowboard to 2 planks of wood! Split Boarding is just for you. There is now a way for snowboarders to enjoy the same technique as Ski Touring only the board splits into two for going up hill and then clicks back together enabling you to board back down. Although Split Boarding has been around for almost 20 years, it is only now that the sport is coming to light and more people are trying it out.

Kite Skiing

If you like to be taken by the wind and have a need for speed then Kite Skiing may just be for you. Kite skiing is a relatively recent development of skiing where the pull comes from a kite. Normally on open ground it can be done on snow, land or ice. This technique was also successfully used on the return leg of Amundsen\’s South Pole expedition back in 1911.

Skijoring

Now this is one to try this season. Originally dogs were used as the main focus in the sport but in recent times, horses and snowmobiles are also used to pull the skier along. Equestrian/horse skijoring consists of a single horse, which is mounted and guided by a rider, pulling the person on skis who carries no poles and simply hangs onto a tow rope similar to that of water skiing. If it is a higher speed of skijoring you are looking for then a snowmobile is for you which can reach speeds of up to 60-70 kilometres.

Dog Sledding

I think many people have dreamed about going on a dog sled ride through forest and spectacular scenery. Consisting of a pack of dogs, usually Huskies, are a highly trained dog type that are used to pull a sled, and wheel-less vehicles on runners, over snow or ice, by harnesses and lines. The most famous race is the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Which is also known as the \”Last Great Race on Earth\”, with over 1150 miles of some of the roughest and most beautiful terrain in the world.

There are numerous mountain resorts and snowy places that you can try out all these wonderful sports including the Alps in Europe, Nordic countries and North American mountain ranges. To make your winter holiday complete, holiday accommodation and holiday rentals choices include cottages, apartments and chalets.

Emma Hartley
Campaya holiday rentals http://www.campaya.co.uk

Emma Hartley
Campaya holiday rentals http://www.campaya.co.uk

Author Bio: Emma Hartley
Campaya holiday rentals http://www.campaya.co.uk

Category: Travel
Keywords: winter,holidays,rentals,ski touring,snow shoeing,dog sledding,skijoring,split boarding