Snow Sports For Non-Skiiers

I seriously think someone around here should offer this. When it gets really cold, there are plenty of places that could work for ice sailing.

The concept is pretty much to sail on ice (the name really says it all).

What you need is a specially designed sailboat mounted on three stainless-steel runner blades and then you can basically ice sail on any frozen lake or pond.

So far The New England Ice Yacht Association based in Southborough, MA is the only place offering this locally.

This one I have tried and it is super fun!

It's like sledding taken to a whole new level.

You ride an inflatable sled that has rubber rudders on the bottom so it really grips the snow and allows you to carve your way down the slope like you would with skis or a snowboard.

These things can go up to 80 mph (if you really know what you're doing), but beginners go more like 30 mph.

Although airboarding is popular internationally, in New England Smugglers Notch in VT is the only state where it's done.

Another pretty self-explanatory activity. Snow golf is golf played in the snow (you knew that).

Shorter than regular golf, snow golf features nine holes and the golf balls and tees come in bright colors (kind of like mini-golf balls) so you don't lose them in the snow.

Though there isn't a course in New England that offers snow golf regularly (but there should be!) you can play at Loon Mountain Resort in NH when they have their Snowfest in February.

Or really just head out with some friends after a snowstorm...right?

Ziplining seems cool no matter what the weather, but soaring through snow-covered trees seems even cooler (literally!).

Just like ziplining in spring, summer or fall, participants can fly from tree platform to tree platform.

You can take tours at several New England resorts that are fully guided by experts and even give you some local history about the mountain sides you're soaring through.