ICE SAILINGLowdown: This is the most exhilarating sport on the planet. Sail on ice and reach speeds of 70mph.
Would suit: Speedsters, adrenaline junkies and yachties bored with the pace of water sailing.
Do: Wear a helmet.
Don't: Sail over thin ice.
Where: Sweden and Poland.
How much: A course costs about £140 a day including accommodation at the Ice Sailing Centre, Sweden (www.sisf.se/fiskeboda). Contact Chris Williams for further details (c.w.w@btinternet.com). See also www.icesailing.org.
Try also: Land yachting, its (slower) on-shore equivalent.
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ICE CLIMBING
Lowdown: Climbing frozen waterfalls.
Would suit: Serious adventurers with a lot of upper body strength.
Do: Make sure your ice axes are sharp before setting out.
Don't: Stand on the rope while wearing crampons.
Where: Scotland's Ice Factor is the largest indoor ice climbing centre in Europe. Or, for the real deal, head to La Grave in France.
How much: Lessons start at £45 per person (01855 831100; www.ice-factor.co.uk).
Try also: Indoor rock climbing.
SKI BIKING
Lowdown: A bike with skis instead of wheels. It's great fun and very easy to learn.
Would suit: Everyone of all ages and abilities, because it's so quick to master.
Do: Sit slightly forward so you can turn by just leaning to one side.
Don't: Be a nutter - you're an ambassador for the sport.
Where: The ski resorts of the Alps. You can find where to hire a ski bike at www.snowbike.com.
How much: A two-hour hire session costs £25 with Ski Bike at the French resorts of Val d'Isère and Tignes (0033 675 42 40 91; www.skibike.net).
Try also: Mountain biking on snow.
ICE-SKATING
Lowdown: Think ITV's Dancing on Ice but without Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
Would suit: Families looking for an activity for everyone.
Do: Wear gloves if you're just starting. You'll be grateful when you fall over.
Don't: Attempt to lift your partner above your head if you wish your relationship to last.
Where: Planet Ice has dozens of rinks around the country. In London, head to Somerset House (www.somersethouseicerink.org.uk).
How much: Prices at Planet Ice start from £4 (www.planet-ice.co.uk).
Try also: Curling. It is an Olympic sport.
SNOW KITING
Lowdown: Snowboarding meets kite-surfing. Kites allow you to ski uphill and do incredible tricks. And you can ride on skis or a board.
Would suit: Extremists, kite enthusiasts, budding polar explorers.
Do: Know what you're doing. This can be properly extreme.
Don't: Kite under any lifts.
Where: Frozen lakes and snowfields from the Alps to Antarctica.
How much: A week's snow kiting course with the Paracademy costs around £350 (01305 824 797; www.paracademy.co.uk).
Try also: Para-skiing, where you ski off a cliff and para-glide back down to earth.
XC SKIING
Lowdown: Slip into your favourite figure-hugging Lycra and follow an undulating trail through mountain valleys on long thin skis.
Would suit: Marathon runners, walkers, people who like to ski at a gentler pace.
Do: Learn the "skate" technique. It's much faster.
Don't: Try to "edge" when turning, it will only result in a face plant into the snow.
Where: The frozen lake of St Moritz, Switzerland.
How much: A two-hour lesson with Pontresina Snowsports costs £17 (0041 81 842 68 44; www.snowsports-pontresina.ch).
Try also: Telemarking - it's the ultimate skiing discipline and mightily impressive.
INDOOR SKIING
Lowdown: It may not compare to the Alps but it's still a lot of fun.
Would suit: Beginners and those looking for practice.
Do: Book.
Don't: Try the freestyle park if you're over 30. Some things are best left to youngsters.
Where: Milton Keynes
How much: A one hour session is £21 for adults, £18 for children (0871 222 5670; www.xscape.co.uk)
Try also: Tobogganing. Forget lessons. Just hire a slide and go for a ride.
WINTER WALKING
Lowdown: Fresh air, woolly hats and scarves, the crunch of frosted leaves underfoot - oh, and hills.
Would suit: Romantics, lovers of the outdoors and rambler types.
Do: Wear the brightest anorak in your wardrobe.
Don't: Leave the dog behind.
Where: For a list of top walks, contact the Ramblers' Association (020 7339 8500; www.ramblers.org.uk).
How much: Free.
Try also: Winter mountaineering.
SNOW RUNNING
Lowdown: Running in the snow, made possible by the latest type of snowshoes.
Would suit: Fitness fanatics and people who enjoy strange looks from other people.
Do: Wear a thick pair of socks.
Don't: Try running with the old 'tennis racquet' style of snowshoe.
Where: America is more into this than laid-back Europe, but Les Gets and Morzine in France are ideal spots for the sport.
How much: An afternoon snowshoe session costs £20 (00 33 670 66 77 56; www.thesnowshoecompany.com).
Try also: Snowshoeing at a walking pace.
By Telegraph
