The Winter Olympic Games have slowly become one of the most awaited sporting events in the world with the soccer world cup. Unlike the summer Olympics, very interesting sports like bobsleigh, Nordic skiing, and the skeleton are featured during winter. If you want to kick out the cold and still have some fun, here are 5 competitive winter sports you can learn quickly.
1. Snowboarding
Snowboarding is one of the oldest sports in the Olympics and has been awarded a total of 42 medals since 1998. It involves going down a snowy slope while standing on a board attached to your feet. You must have amazing balance and fitness because unlike skiing, there is nothing to hold onto. You can compete with your friends or family once you learn the basics and practice for a week or so.
2. Skiing
You have not lived until you have tried heli-skiing Alaska. Skiing involves standing on top of long flat runners known as skis which will help you move over snow. However, you also get to support yourself on two sticks for balance and stability. As the wind blows over you and you feel the ice powder coming after you, every hair on your body stands up in excitement and fear.
3. Ice hockey
If you are feeling competitive, nothing beats ice hockey with a group of friends. Ice hockey is also an old winter sport that involves shooting a hard rubber ball with sticks. You will do better if you are good at skating because it’s played on skates shoes. The game is very fast-paced and you will shed quite a sweat before it ends. Ice hockey is played in more than 73 countries and you don’t need to wait for winter to play it. Practice on a skating ring and then compete during winter.
4. Curling
Curling is an old winter sport that originated from Scotland. You and your friends will be throwing a sliding stone on ice towards a target circle. You will have an easier time learning if you have played golf or bowling because it’s about precision. Each team will have four players who will try to slide the granite stones across a very smooth ice sheet to a circular target.
5. Skeleton
Skeleton is a funny and entertaining winter sport. You have to lie face down on a small sled that looks like a skeleton and ride down a frozen track. You can go up to 130 kilometers per hour screaming your head off. This game was introduced in the Olympics in 2002 and has become a people’s favorite. Whoever gets to the end of the track first wins but you can also do it recreationally for the adrenaline rush.
Competitive winter sports are not only fun but also provide a great workout. You have to pull through the cold and the resistance of ice when you are playing. However, you must wear the right attire and be careful to avoid possible accidents.
