Let's face it, northerners, it's winter. But, I don't like to dwell or hide, so here's some ideas and topics just for winter on this week's fast five!
1. The Lake Placid Bobsled Run. Let me begin by saying that this activity is currently undergoing some renovations. Bummer, but it occurred to me because I've been watching the Olympics. Normally, you can go to the Bobsled Experience at Lake Placid and they will take you for quite a ride. You ride with an experienced sledder and it's a real hoot. They also operate in the summer if you'd rather wait, with sleds with wheels.
When the bobsled experience is back up and running, it will cost around $125 per person. Hey, it's a world class Olympic bobsled run and you ride with experienced sledders. That's actually a bargain.
There are also a bunch of things to do in the area year round. There's a mountain coaster right there in the summer if you like. They also have all kinds of skiing ice skating, and in the summer they have zip lining, adventure courses and hiking and biking. It's all good fun and in a beautiful setting in the Adirondacks.
https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/todo/bobsled-experience/
https://www.lakeplacid.com/attractions/bobsled-rides-olympic-sports-complex
https://www.lakeplacid.com/do/outdoors/winterspring
https://www.lakeplacid.com/summer
2. Who invented Alpine Skiing? I don't ski, but I do visit world famous skiing locations on occasion. Let's face it, you can ski about anywhere and there are some great programs all over to help anyone learn to Alpine Ski. Put that in Google and you'll get 10,000 options.
Years ago I visited the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland. Now, mind you it was summer, because I don't ski. However, I learned of a hot topic that has never gone away in the area. That was the topic of who invented Alpine Skiing. There's been a dispute for well over a hundred years.
Here's the thing. There have been hundreds of different types of skiing just for people to get around. Central Asians apparently skied for transportation after the last ice age. However, the name Sir Arnold Lunn keeps coming up as the person who brought it into the modern age as Alpine Downhill skiing. Is that a fact? It's murky, but if you like to do a little research; this topic is probably for you.
When I was in Switzerland the last time, the topic was whether or not the sport was developed in St. Moritz or Murren first. As far as I can tell and the locals even admitted it at the time; we may never know for sure. What we do know is that two of the most prominent people involved were Sir Arnold Lunn, Hans Schneider, and Sondre Norheim. Each had a different piece of the puzzle to bring it into modern sports.
https://edgate.com/wintergames/design/spotlight_sport/alpski.htm
https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/alpine-skiing-101-olympic-history
https://www.mabeyski.com/news/the-history-of-skiing/
https://www.powderhounds.com/Best-Ski-Resorts.aspx
3. Take an ice fishing tour. That's right. I said it. Do you like to fish? This may be for you. Let's face it. Anywhere it gets really cold, there's ice fishing. Some of these places are truly beautiful. This could be for you. Forget that trip to Disney to stand in line. Try something completely different.
There are places that provide tours of this kind almost anywhere that ice fishing is a thing. Northern USA, British Columbia, all over Canada, and even in China. Imagine that. Be the adventurous one. Tell people you've been to China and when they ask how it was in Beijing; you tell them you don't know because you went to Chagan Lake to go ice fishing. That's the best fishing story ever.
Like I said, winter is normally viewed as something awful. Have fun with it. If that brings you to Whistler or Minnesota or even China to do some fishing; seems worth it. Adventure is the spice of life.
https://www.icefestivalharbin.com/attraction-p31-chagan-lake.html
https://backcountryguideco.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23536078537
https://alaskaguidedicefishing.com/
https://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/lifestyle/bucket-list-ice-fishing-destinations
4. Go ice skating in New York City. If you'd rather do a city thing during the winter, lord knows New York City has you covered. I'm becoming an expert on all things New York City, and I can tell you from personal experience that they have some stunning places to ice skate.
Now, you may be in town for a Rangers or Islanders game. You may be in town for a play. You may be in town to see the Nicks or the Nets. Those are all valid things to do in New York in the wintertime along with museums and dining. However, if you want to get outside, there are tons of places to skate in New York City. Indoor, outdoor, rooftop; whatever you're interested in.
https://www.rockefellercenter.com/attractions/the-rink-at-rockefeller-center/
https://bryantpark.org/activities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-bryant-park
https://www.therinkatbrookfieldplace.net/
https://www.nyctourism.com/articles/new-york-skate-of-mind/
5. Take off for Iceland. I did it once. I didn't regret it at all. There's something special about that country which I've also visited in the summer. There was something amazing about it in winter. It's like Iceland is designed for winter. I was there in January, because I wanted to see the Northern Lights. It was magical the entire time.
Where do I begin? The Northern Lights are well worth it. My advice is to rent a car and head out at 9 pm northwest of Reykjavik. You'll find them. It was easy, because they are out there more than anywhere else on Earth. Totally worth the trip and there was a volcano erupting by the airport when I was there. Still worth it.
What can I say? These are people who don't let the dark and cold of winter get to them. They leave their Christmas lights up for a long time just to keep cheery. It's fabulous.
What can you do? All the winter sports you can do here, you can do there. Skiing, ice skating, off roading, snow machining, swimming, spas, hiking through ice caves.
What was that last stuff? Iceland is known for its thermal waters. People there swim outside all year round. They have over 300 outdoor swimming facilities. Places like the Blue Lagoon are open all year round. There are ice caves that are open all year round. That sounds cold, but it's warmer inside the cave than outside. There are some amazing unusual things to do in Iceland in the winter.
https://paulagaston.com/top-things-to-do-in-iceland/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189952-Activities-c61-t244-Iceland.html
https://letsgotoiceland.com/winter-activities
https://www.visiticeland.com/article/winter-sports
https://arzotravels.com/best-things-to-do-in-iceland/
There you have it. Don't hide inside from winter. Go out and embrace it. I didn't even cover things like winter festivals in Quebec or ice hotels in Sweden; cruises to Antarctica or car racing in northern Maine. There are hundreds of ways to enjoy winter. I've mentioned only a few.
If you'd like to see what I'm doing right now, check out my Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025
See how I'm enjoying my boring old winter in the northeast. Hope you have time to get out and embrace that dreaded season of winter! Enjoy!
