Creative Snow Sports and Workouts

As snow accumulates nationwide at record levels, outdoor workouts and sports become increasingly adventurous not only for skilled skiers, sledders, and snowboarders but also for average individuals. Especially beneficial, with winter outdoor activities you are free from heat exhaustion and insect bites. The rare six-inch deep snow received in my home state of South Carolina has given me ideas for creative snow sports and workouts described below.

Walking Spiral Laps

A wonderful snow workout that I found effective in incorporating aerobics and resistance is walking spiral laps in the snow. The best thing about walking laps in the snow is that you do not have to worry about mentally counting and remembering the number of laps that you have walked since your foot prints are visibly marked in the snow. The key is to walk your laps in a spiral rather than tracing your previous steps. Your walk can be in your yard or at a nearby track field. You know the number of laps you have walked by simply counting each round of foot prints in the spiral.

Snow Ball Bowling

Snow ball bowling is a great upper body snow workout. This sport involves making a dense snow ball the size of a bowling ball and poking three holes in it for your thumb, index finger, and middle finger. You can use items in your home to serve as bowling pins such as ten 16-ounce bottles of water. To increase the smoothness and sturdiness of your bowling lane, bowl on a concrete driveway where the snow has been shoveled off. This snow sport is ideal for two or more kids and/or adults.

Playing Snow Ball Golf

Anyone who has received six or more inches of snow can participate in a game of snow ball golf. While it is most ideal to use a golf club, another option is to use an equally sized branch shaped like a golf club. Make a dense golf ball with snow or use a real golf ball. After making holes in the snow, mark them with a visible object such as a small flag or a handkerchief wrapped around a stick.

Overall, these snow activities will help you to maintain a high metabolism in a safe and enjoyable way. Making the most of the snow is a great way to appreciate nature and achieve physical fitness. Also of value, you can enjoy the outdoors all year round - even after a snow storm.