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“Winter sports” covers a lot more than downhill skiing. Some activities need lifts and a resort, others just a snowy field or a frozen lake. Here is a quick tour, with a difficulty rating for beginners and where to learn more.
| Sport | Beginner difficulty | Needs a resort? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine (downhill) skiing | ★★☆☆☆ | Yes | Most first-timers, families |
| Snowboarding | ★★★☆☆ | Yes | Surfers, skaters, powder lovers |
| Cross-country skiing | ★★☆☆☆ | Groomed trails | Fitness, quiet nature |
| Freestyle / park | ★★★★☆ | Yes (terrain park) | Confident intermediates |
| Ski touring (skitouring) | ★★★★☆ | No | Fit intermediates+, with a guide |
| Freeride / off-piste | ★★★★★ | Near resorts | Advanced, avalanche-trained |
| Ice skating | ★★☆☆☆ | Rink or safe ice | Everyone |
| Snowshoeing | ★☆☆☆☆ | No | Walkers, non-skiers |
| Sledding & tubing | ★☆☆☆☆ | Often | Kids and families |
Alpine skiing
This is what most people mean by “skiing”: you ride a lift up and slide down prepared slopes (pistes) on two skis with your heels locked into the bindings. It is the most popular winter sport in the world, and every resort has a ski school. Start with our first steps on skis.
Snowboarding
You stand sideways on one wide board with both feet strapped in. The first days are tougher, but it is hugely rewarding. Compare the two in skiing or snowboarding?
Cross-country (Nordic) skiing
Long, narrow skis with the heel free, used on flat or rolling tracks. It is fantastic exercise, much cheaper than downhill, and there is little risk of high-speed falls. There are two styles: classic (walking-like strides in parallel grooves) and skating (a V-shaped push, like ice skating). Finland, Norway and Austria have thousands of kilometres of trails. Read the cross-country guide.
Freestyle skiing and snowboarding
Jumps, rails, boxes and halfpipes in a terrain park. Parks are graded like pistes (small / medium / large). Only enter once you can ride blue runs confidently, and always start with the smallest features. See the next level.
Ski touring (skitouring)
Instead of taking lifts, you walk uphill on skis with sticky “skins” attached underneath, then remove them and ski down. It combines hiking and skiing, and many resorts now have marked uphill routes. Outside the resort it requires avalanche knowledge. Learn more in ski touring for beginners.
Freeride (off-piste)
Skiing or riding on ungroomed, unpatrolled terrain — deep powder, trees, open bowls. It is the dream for many riders, but it carries real avalanche risk. It is not for beginners. Read why in our avalanche safety guide.
Ice skating
Many ski villages have outdoor rinks, often lit up in the evening. It is a lovely rest-day activity and great for balance. See ice skating for beginners.
Snowshoeing
If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Wide frames spread your weight so you don’t sink into deep snow. Perfect for non-skiing partners and quiet forest walks. Snowshoeing guide.
Sledding (tobogganing) and tubing
Pure fun for all ages. Many resorts have long toboggan runs (some floodlit at night) and dedicated tubing lanes with a conveyor lift. Always sit feet-first, keep to marked runs and wear a helmet — sleds can go surprisingly fast.
Mixing it up is the best way to enjoy a winter holiday: ski in the morning, snowshoe or skate in the afternoon, and your legs will thank you. Explore all options under More Winter Sports.
