It’s that time of year when it’s tempting to overindulge on festive treats, such as mince pies and mulled wine. Meanwhile the winter weather and shorter days have most definitely arrived. It’s no surprise, then, that some of us tend to hibernate during winter, preferring to stay warm and comfortable. At Travall we also know there are plenty of you who love the great outdoors and won’t let cold weather get in your way. To keep things interesting, we’ve put together a list of the top five winter activities you may not have tried before. Read on to learn how you can stay active and try something new this winter.
Dog Sledding
When you think of dog sledding, we’ll bet you picture packs of huskies pulling a sled through snow-covered landscapes. Did you know there’s plenty of opportunity to experience one of the world’s most enjoyable winter activities here in the UK? As there’s typically little snowfall in the UK, the sled is fitted with wheels to keep you moving. If you’re interested, check out the British Sleddog Sports Federation website to help you find your nearest club.
Winter Surfing
It’s known that the UK’s coastline offers amazing surfing locations, with beaches in Cornwall and Devon being among the best. With this in mind, there’s no reason surfing in the UK should be reserved for the summer months. If you can cope with the colder temperatures and you’ve packed the right equipment, winter surfing can be really invigorating. Low-pressure systems result in some prime waves on Britain’s west coast and the north shores of Scotland. Above all, you’re likely to be one of just a few other surfers, so you can appreciate the uncrowded waves. Check out our previous post covering UK surf trip essentials, to ensure you’ve got everything you need on your next surfing trip.
Winter Walking
Another activity that typically sees an uplift in popularity in the warmer months is walking. However, donning your winter coat and braving the cold to foot one of Britain’s numerous countryside trails is definitely worthwhile. Not only will you enjoy picturesque winter scenery, but it’s a great way to keep active throughout the winter. Besides, the lower temperatures make stepping into the warmth on your midway pub stop that little bit more rewarding!
Skiing in the UK
Skiing in Britain often goes overlooked in favour of the more well-known and popular resorts in the Alps and Italian Dolomites. That being said, both Scotland and England offer some great skiing locations when the white stuff falls. For some of the best skiing in the UK, Glenshee and areas of the Lake District are particular standouts. Rather than heading overseas for a costly skiing trip, why not load up the car and hit the slopes a little closer to home?
Snowshoeing
The UK may not be known for its lasting snowfalls, nevertheless the North Pennines offer a unique opportunity to give the little known activity of snowshoeing a try. Modern snowshoes displace your weight over a larger surface area, allowing you to explore inaccessible areas of the snow-covered fells on foot. It’s also a surprisingly thorough workout, as heavy snow makes for a more strenuous walk, particularly during inclines. For beginners we’d recommend a guided trip, as navigation in poor conditions can be particularly challenging.
That concludes our rundown of the best activities to try this winter, promising to keep you active until spring. If you decide to try any of these activities, keep your vehicle protected with Travall’s range of premium vehicle-specific accessories. The Travall Guard and Divider offer great gear storage, allowing you to maximise boot space and transport equipment securely. Teamed with the waterproof Travall Liner and Travall Mats to catch mud, snow and spills, you will always be ready for a winter adventure.
