As the weather gets colder and winter approaches, so do the various winter sports that come along with the snowy season. While the snow and ice that winter brings along with it may be annoying to some, these elements can help form many fun and exciting activities such as skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and hockey, just to name a few of the most popular ones. 

Ice Skating + Hockey:

Just like year-long sports, these winter sports require skill and practice. Ice skating in particular, takes an extreme amount of precision, coordination, and elegance. This sport has two distinct categories with completely separate purposes. Figure skating, for example, involves the performance of various different jumps, spins and dance movements while speed skating is used for the purpose of skating as fast as possible. Many people begin practicing winter sports such as ice skating in the first few years of their lives. Often for figure skating, music is played while either an individual skater or a duo will skate to the song with practiced choreography. 

Another sport that takes place on the ice is hockey. Hockey is an equally competitive sport, where players race around the ice rink on their skates with a hockey stick and puck, doing everything in their power to score points against the other team by hitting the puck in the opposing net. In a singular hockey game, there is 60 minutes of ice time, which is split into three periods. Between each period, there is a 15-minute break where the players are able to sit and get some rest. If you are interested in either of these sports, you can visit the Glacier Ice Arena in Vernon Hills.

Skiing + Snowboarding:

While ice skating and hockey take place on the ice, skiing and snowboarding take place on a snowy mountain. With skiing in particular, you wear special boots that connect to long skis on your feet that you use to glide down a snowy hill on. You can also use sticks called ski poles to propel yourself forward as you go. Snowboarding uses the same concept, as you wear the same boots as skiers, yet instead of having two different skis, your boots are connected to one board, side by side. With snowboarding, however, you don’t use ski poles. With both of these sports, it is common to fall and get stuck in the snow. When this happens, it is important to stay calm and attempt to take off your skis/board. If you are truly unable to move, either wave down another skier or call ski patrol. While these sports are most common in the snowy mountainous regions of Colorado or Michigan, we can also access them locally in Wisconsin at Granite Peak or Wilmot. 

Ice skating, hockey, skiing and snowboarding are only just a few of the many winter sports that exist. You don’t have to have started young to participate in any of these sports, which is why I encourage you to try something new this winter if you haven’t already. These winter activities are a great way to stay active in the winter time and most importantly, have fun!