More Than Skiing: Best Things To Do In The Alps

Skiing in the Alps has long been one of the most popular winter holiday options - and why not? The Alps not only have the best weather and slopes (not to mention the necessary facilities) for skiing, ...

Skiing in the Alps has long been one of the most popular winter holiday options - and why not? The Alps not only have the best weather and slopes (not to mention the necessary facilities) for skiing, but also enjoy some of the most awe-inspiring and majestic natural beauty in the world. Perpetually snow-capped mountains, amazingly clear blue skies, and pristine Alpine forests, not to mention beautiful ski chalets and luxurious spas, and some of the best restaurants in the world—who wouldn’t want to spend a few days (or longer) here?

However, if you’re a true winter sports enthusiast, you’d know that there are far more things to do in this fabulous destination than simply go skiing in the Alps. If an adrenalin rush is what you’re seeking, here are a few winter sports you may want to check out.

Snowboarding

Described as a combination of surfing, skateboarding, sledding, and skiing, in the Alps, according to some reports, snowboarding is the fastest growing winter sport. It has, in fact, become so popular that it has given rise to its own culture and lingo, much like skateboarding, and even its own fashion. Sliding down a mountain standing atop a board may not sound so special, but you only have to try it (or watch the experts) to realise it's well worth its reputation!

Snow Polo

Granted, in other places, not as many people may have heard of snow polo as skiing; in the Alps, however, it is an exciting and popular sport. In fact, the annual St Moritz snow polo tournament, which was first held in 1985, is one of the most well-attended and anticipated events in the area. The sport, which involves covering a frozen lake with snow, using specialised shoes for the horses, and special adjustments in rules to compensate for weather and icy conditions, is fast gaining popularity. It's even reached all the way to Tianjin, China, where they are planning to hold a world-class snow polo tournament of their own.

Mountain Biking

Every biker loves the challenge of steep uphill climbs and the sheer exhilaration of a steep downhill rush—feeling the sun and wind on their face and letting gravity and the bike do all the work. There's no better place to experience this thrill than the Alps, as evidenced by the thousands of riders who participate each year in the Megavalanche enduro race on the Alpe d'Huez. Unlike most races, the point of the Megavalanche isn’t to finish first, but just to finish! More than speed, endurance is what counts here. The race starts atop a glacier, with participants holding their bikes aloft as they navigate their way to the bottom. During the course of the race, participants encounter every possible sort of terrain, including rocky ridgelines, forest trails, and snow-covered paths.

These are just three of the excellent, exciting winter sports available in the Alps apart from skiing.

Article Tags: Winter Sports, Snow Polo