| |
-
The main forms of winter sports covered here are skiing, snow boarding
and tobogganing. Ice skating is covered under skating.
There are also other more localised winter sports such as curling (popular
in Scotland).
-
These sports comprise a number of different activities
under the general heading. More detailed information on each of them
can be obtained from the specialist organisations
listed below.
-
Winter sports have in common the requirement of a surface of
snow or ice on which to take part. Traditionally they have been done
outdoors, in the winter in a cold or high altitude area. But indoor
ice rinks were established many years ago, and recent years have seen the
development of artificial surfaces and artificial snow for skiing and snow
boarding.
-
Much of
the activity is fairly informal and for pleasure, often done on
holiday. But there is an important competitive element in all winter
sports.
|
British Bobsleigh Association www.british-bobsleigh.com/
British Curling Association 01772 634154
Great Britain Luge Association www.gbla.org.uk/
British Ski & Snowboard Federation www.complete-skier.com/
English Ski Council 0121 501 2314
Ski Club of Great Britain www.skiclub.co.uk/
|
Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Magazine
Good Ski Guide
Ski and Board
Ski 'n' Ice
The Skier and Snowboarder Magazine
The Scottish Curler |
-
Find a local winter sports
group
or club (see organisations above).
-
See if there are
introductory sessions at your local club or ski centre.
-
Consult books or magazines
on different types of winter sports and the specialist holidays you
can take.
-
Check in your local library/paper
or travel agent for more information.
|
Skills and people
-
Winter sports are fairly active
and involve some degree of
skill, but they can be done by people of most ages and both sexes,
providing they have the minimum degree of physical fitness.
-
With the exception of curling, which is team game, you can do all forms
of winter sport on your own. But many people choose to go skiing or
snowboarding with friends or family, particularly when on holiday. Some tobogganing is done in two
or four person sleighs.
-
You may prefer to share these activities
with people of roughly
the same standard and stamina as yourself. But they need not be of
the same age or sex.
Equipment or clothing
-
Skis, snow board, sleigh, or the equivalent are required for winter
sports, together with appropriate warm and waterproof clothing, including
boots.
-
The equipment and clothing can often be hired at winter
sports holiday destinations.
A place or facilities
-
There is not much scope for winter sports outdoors in the UK except up
in Scotland and in the mountains of Wales.
-
Many people take winter
sports holidays abroad in order to learn and follow these
activities.
-
There are now a number of artificial ski slopes, some
with "real" snow and some indoor, that can be used for practice, and some curling is done on
indoor ice rinks in Scotland.
|
|