Top 10 Most Unusual Winter Sports From Around The Wolrd

Posted: December 22, 2023

Updated: December 22, 2023

Forget about the more traditional winter sports like skiing and skating. For some people these are far too tame. They are looking for a higher level of fun, danger, and speed. So it's really no surprise that new and unusual winter sports have evolved over the last few years. Many of these are just turbo-charged versions of existing sports, with some additional elements to up the ante.

Consider the usual scenes of snowboarders gliding down slopes and skiers gracefully navigating fresh powder. Yet, beyond these classic winter sports, there exists a realm of peculiar and captivating outdoor activities to explore during the season. While the UK might not receive a generous snowfall, our European neighbours often find themselves enveloped in it. With an additional 13 million Brits expressing interest in swapping their summer holidays for winter getaways, ski resorts and cabins are rapidly filling up. We should start off by pointing out that although Gamingzion.com is a website dedicated to all forms of betting and gambling, there are no bets to be had with the unusual winter sports below. Sportsbooks like our favourite, Bet365 Sportsbook, tend to concentrate their efforts on more mainstream events and sports activities. However, that shouldn't stop you from enjoying them from the perspective of an onlooker. Let's have a closer look at some of the most eccentric winter sports available now.

Skijoring

Starting off this roster of unusual winter sports is a sport designed for the bold. Derived from the Norwegian term 'skikjøring,' meaning ski driving, this activity entails a skier being towed by a motor vehicle, a dog, or even a horse at considerable speeds. The distinction lies primarily between horse-drawn and dog-centric skijoring. In the former, the means of propulsion mainly stems from the horse, resembling a snow-based form of water skiing. On the contrary, with dogs, the skier takes charge of most movement while receiving a bit of assistance from the canines. While not as mainstream as many other winter sports, skijoring made an appearance in the 1928 Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz. Its roots trace back to Scandinavia, believed to be a relative of the older winter pursuit, Pulka, involving a skier or dog sled pulling a low-slung sled to transport goods and provisions.

Unusual Winter Sports - Yukigassen

We won't fault you for not being familiar with this type of unusual winter sports activity. But imagine this: the most epic snowball fight you can imagine. That's Yukigassen—a colossal snowball battle where teams of seven battle against each other. It's a relatively new addition to the list, debuting in 1988, and while not the quirkiest, it sure promises a whole lot of excitement. Now, this isn't your casual backyard fun; Yukigassen has its own federation with established rules, making it a bit more structured than the typical family snowball showdown.

Players get eliminated upon being hit by a snowball (or similar), and a team secures victory by capturing the other team's flag. The game's popularity has soared, with tournaments now held in various countries worldwide, including Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Canada, and the USA. Surprisingly, even Australia joined in on the action in 2019.

Kite Skiing

Among the less eccentric and unusual winter sports on the list is kite skiing, also referred to as snowkiting. Similar in essence to water-based kiteboarding, kite skiing utilises kite or wind power to slide across snow or ice. This method proves particularly useful for gaining speed, enabling thrilling leaps over substantial jumps. The sport's origins trace back to WWII, where paratroopers in the Alps employed kites for supply deliveries, contributing to the sport's development. Kite skiers attach themselves to snowboards instead of water-based boards, and the more adventurous practitioners occasionally take to the air for daring manoeuvres.

Unusual Winter Sports - Skibobbing

In the realm of the peculiar and unconventional, this activity undoubtedly stands out. Imagine swapping your bicycle wheels for skis and cruising down the slopes—that's the essence of this sport. Known as ski biking or snowkbiking due to its resemblance to a bike, it's officially termed skibobbing when equipped with foot skis instead of pedals. Originating in the late 19th century as a mode of transportation in the Alps, its popularity soared in the 1950s when races, typically spanning 3-5 kilometres, were introduced. Initially designed for individuals with knee issues that made traditional alpine skiing challenging, skibobbing has gradually gained traction among a broader audience over the years.

Human Curling

Indeed, this is precisely as the name implies—a human rendition of sliding across ice, offering a unique twist on the Olympic sport. Instead of the customary stones used in curling, participants utilise human-sized alternatives positioned atop inflatable tubes. They dash across the ice, launching themselves onto these tubes. How does one clinch victory? Simple—reach the centre of the bullseye, and the win is yours! While it might sound like an unusual winter sports adaptation of a well-established winter sport that garners immense attention during the Winter Olympics, it's an absolute blast. Even Eve Muirhead, a Scottish Olympic curler, has given it a shot!

Ice Yachting - Unusual Winter Sports

For seasoned yachters accustomed to navigating water, the frozen version might seem like the natural progression, right? However, not just any boat suffices for this age-old sport originating from seventeenth-century cargo transportation. Transforming your yacht for icy waters doesn't have to break the bank. According to online gambling news in the UK, conversions can cost less than £1,000, with much of the work achievable through DIY methods. Critical to this transformation is attaching steel runners to the boat's hull, enabling it to smoothly glide across the ice. But here's the hitch—sailing isn't guaranteed. The availability of wind, ice conditions, and snow all limit the time one can spend navigating the slippery terrain.

Snow Kayaking

When winter arrives and rivers freeze, what's the plan? Snow kayaking, naturally! Just like kayakers navigate streams and rapids, these thrill-seekers zoom down snowy hillsides with one of the most unusual winter sports.

They still use paddles to steer the kayak, and the boats are waxed to minimise friction. Remarkably, participants can hit speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour.

Unusual Winter Sports - Wok Racing

This sport lives up to its name without a doubt. Competitors zoom downhill along a bobsled or luge track while seated inside a food-grade wok. This peculiar yet captivating sport was the brainchild of a German TV host and entertainer, originally sparked by a wager. Debuting on a German TV show in 2003, it escalated to a second world championship in 2004, attracting mainly B-list celebrities as participants. Nonetheless, this hasn't deterred some professional athletes from trying their hand at this unconventional winter pursuit, including the Jamaican bobsled team. There exist two variations: individual and team competitions, the latter involving four woks combined. Despite its whimsical nature, wok racing isn't without its risks. Participants are heavily geared up, resembling ice hockey players, in an effort to minimise the chance of injury.

Snow Surfing

Continuing the aquatic theme in a wintry setting is snow surfing. Why not swap out the waves for slopes and explore some new terrain? Quite akin to windsurfing and an alternative to snowboarding, snow surfing traces its roots to Hokkaido, Japan. What sets it apart is the freedom it offers—unlike some other unusual winter sports, snow surfing isn't confined solely to downhill paths. Glide across frozen lakes, traverse open snow-covered fields, and even conquer mountains. The sport's evolution is driven by innovative board designs, incorporating elements from snowboarding, skateboarding, and even sandboarding alongside surfing. At higher speeds, riders can navigate uphill, defying gravity and opening doors for freestyle tricks. Among the popular manoeuvres are the 'Duck Jibe,' 'Power Jibe,' and 'Heli Tack.' This blend of disciplines makes snow surfing an exhilarating and diverse sport.

Snow Tubing

Among the unusual winter sports we've featured, this one promises boundless enjoyment for the whole family! Similar in some ways to sledding, snow tubing involves individuals zipping down snowy hillsides in large inflatable rings. Gravity serves as the driving force, propelling riders downhill, often prompting them to eagerly head back up for another exhilarating ride. The tubes boast sturdy bases to shield riders, yet the minimal friction allows for impressive speeds. A variation of this sport mirrors its aquatic counterpart, where a tube is towed behind a snowmobile. Given the size and shape of the tubes, riders have less manoeuvrability compared to traditional sledding, prompting most courses to include protective barriers along the sides to shield riders from potential obstacles.

Conclusion - Unusual Winter Sports

Unfortunately, you can't bet on any of these unusual winter sports, as they are just too left-field for the majority of sportsbooks. However, there are plenty of regular winter sports and events where betting is allowed. For these activities, we like to head over to the best online sportsbook sites in the UK. Namely, Bet365 Sportsbook. Not only do they offer some of the best odds across virtually all their sporting offers, but also, all new players signing up for the first time are rewarded with a generous welcome bonus. This is a great strategy for increasing your bankroll and thereby being able to play for much longer.