If the past few storms in Europe and North America are any indication, winter's here in full force! Don't let the cold weather keep you indoors this season and venture out to enjoy the amazing outdoor winter sights.
The possibilities are endless if you add a bit of thrill and imagination to any winter activity. Like this list of extreme winter sports from a mixture of skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, climbing, and sky diving.
1. Wingsuit Base Jumping
BASE jumpers, freefall off of Building, Antennas, Spans (Bridges) or Earth. These altitudes are very low in comparison to sky diving, which barely leaves room for error and only a split second to deploy the parachute at the right time. Now combine BASE jumping with a wingsuit - an amazing invention that gives you the ability to fly on your own - and some skis. You'll end up with something like this video below. The results are pretty wicked and definitely not for the faint of heart.
2. Heliskiing
Photo: Leo Mason/Getty Images
Here's a lesser extreme combination of activities. Intermediate to advanced level skiers and snowboarders alike, can reach untouched terrains and fresh powder snow with a bit of help from a helicopter. The helicopter will drop off brave passengers at the top of a mountain leaving them explore the natural mountain terrains on their ride down. There are many heliskiing operations around the world that offer amazing winter sites and ski conditions.
3. Kite Snowboarding
Photo: Photos and Co/Getty Images
In kite snowboarding let the wind propel you through the snow. Not only will you need the lower body strength from just regular snowboarding, you'll also need the upper body coordination. Plus, strength to hold on to dear life if your kite gets picked up by any unexpected winds and pulls you up in to the air.
4. Ice Climbing
Photo: Turner Forte/Getty Images
You've all probably seen how ice reacts on impact - it cracks and depending on the impact the entire body of ice can break in to pieces. Well, that idea doesn't stop these adventure seekers. Ice climbers, equipped with special gear according to the slope and texture of the ice look for frozen mountain sides, waterfalls, or icefalls to conquer.
5. Snow Kayaking
Photo:Mike Timo/Getty Images
A little imagination goes a long way in extreme winter sports - like this snow kayaking. Hike your kayak up a slope, get inside, and hang on to dear life as you steer down. It's pretty simple, and if you're on the East Coast where Snowapocalypse 2010 just hit, you can probably find a great slope just around the corner of your street. If you're short a kayak, you can also make your own sled to ride down the street.
6. Ice Racing
Photo: Stockbyte/Getty Images
If you think driving in snowy and icy conditions are dangerous, then here's a sport that goes over and beyond those expectations. Take any type of motorize vehicle, get a group of extreme winter athletes, put them on the ice and watch them race. There are Jeep races in Colorado, annual Budweiser motorcycle ice races and the list goes on. It's one of the few thrilling sports on this list that has room for viewers. So if you don't think you can handle being one of the participants, you can always watch the thrill on the sidelines.
7. Polar Bear Plunge
Photo: Sue Flood/Getty Images
Every year during the winter, many thousands of people put on their wet-suits, or barely anything at all and jump into a freezing outdoor body of water. For many the polar bear plunge is done to commemorate the New Year or just to celebrate feeling of being alive or for a good cause. Whatever the reasons, it takes guts to immerse your entire body in excruciating cold water like the polar bear.
Many of these polar bear plunge events are associated with a fundraiser - so if you're interested in the challenge, why not find a organization fundraising to help the earth and the community?
More for the Winter
Steph Davis: Climber, BASE Jumper, Wingsuit Flyer, Vegan, Animal Lover, Simple Living Advocate, and More (Interview)
5 Fun, Easy Ways to Update Your Winter Jacket
How to Green Your Snowboarding Trip