Unusual winter activities to see and do this season

Ice climbing - Here's a real cliffhanger of a winter sport. Ice climbing is not for the fainthearted. Terrifying and spectacular in equal measure, scaling a skyscraper-sized glacier tests the most adventurous adrenaline junkies. For the ultimate thrill, strike out for the impressive El Morado Glacier at Cajón del Maipo near Santiago, Chile.

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Ice sailing - Fort Erie, a town on the Niagara River in Ontario, Canada, is well known as an ice sailing venue. With no waves to slow you down, iceboats can reach amazing speeds. So don't go overboard and get the wind knocked out of your sails! (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Snow polo - Popular winter sports at the resort town of Zakopane in Poland include skiing, snowboarding, sleigh rides, and snow polo. Saddle up and have a ball! (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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Crashed Ice - Red Bull Crashed Ice is part of the ice cross downhill world tour, and events have been hosted in major cities the world over. Pictured: a Crashed Ice event in Quebec City, Canada. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Ice cross downhill - This sport involves competitive downhill skating on a walled track featuring sharp turns and high vertical drops. Only those with an iron nerve need apply. Pictured: a women's run at the Quebec City Red Bull Crashed Ice event. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

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Shovel racing - Lots of enthusiasts dig this weird winter sport. The biggest competition takes place annually at the Angle Fire Resort in the US state of New Mexico. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Fat biking in snow - No, not a reference to overweight cyclists, but to the oversized tires fitted to these specialized bikes that move over packing snow with ease. The White Mountains National Recreation Area in Alaska features a trail specially devised for this type of bicycle. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Snow kayaking - No water, no problem! But on ice, a kayak's torpedo-shaped hull turns it into a projectile of sorts, so try not to end up snow creek without a paddle. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

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Skibobbing - Attach a bicycle-type frame to skis instead of wheels and you have skibobbing. Head for Austria and the national championships to see the best "bobbers" in the business. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Bandy - Not quite ice hockey, bandy is a team winter sport played with a bandy ball and a bandy stick. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

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Snow scooting - Another magical and fun way to get down the mountains, snow scooting is the combination of a freestyle scooter and snowboard. No wheels, but plenty of thrills.

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Yukigassen - What sounds like a nasty bowel disorder is, in fact, a snowball-fighting competition from Japan. Besides being held in the land of the rising sun, tournaments take place across Scandinavia, Russia, Canada, the US, and the Alpine region of Victoria in Australia.

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Heli-skiing -

When a ski lift can't get you there, a helicopter can. Here, a pair of snowboarders are being dropped off on an isolated peak in the Chugach Mountains near Valdez, the hub for heli-skiing in Alaska.

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Ice fishing - Believe it or not, the people in this photograph are all fishing for trout on a frozen river during the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in South Korea. Visitors can take the fish they catch to be served fried or in raw slices for a fee in the food centers. They can also put them back in the water if they so choose.

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Polar bear swimming - The idea behind the Busan Polar Bear Swimming Contest, also held in South Korea, is that participants can enjoy winter swimming under freezing weather conditions just like a polar bear—but without its superbly insulated fur coat! (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Frozen canal skating - When they freeze over in winter, Holland's network of waterways are transformed into long and strong ice rinks. The Dutch have been skating on canals in winter for centuries, so why not join them?

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Snow tubing - A great one for kids... and for adults who want to discover their inner tube, er, child! (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Snowshoeing - Slap on a pair of snowshoes and continue along even the softest of snow as you trek through the wilderness. If you're heading off the beaten track, hire a guide and explore places like Queyras Regional Natural Park in France. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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Speed skating - You don't have to be an Olympian to indulge in a spot of speed skating. There are schools that offer lessons in this slick sport. Pictured here are youngsters finding their feet at Prince George in British Columbia, Canada. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Dog sledding - Alaska's official state sport, dog sledding (or mushing), brings you together with teams of adorable huskies and a pristine outdoors environment. The Yukon–Tanana Terrane is dog sled central. Why not combine a spot of winter mushing with a hiking expedition?

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Igloo building - Did you know you can join enjoy an igloo building holiday? This is a great activity to do on a family winter vacation. While not so much a sport, you can still build in a little festive competitiveness, like the last one to finish buys the hot apple cider!

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Sleigh ride -

Give Santa the boot and let a wildlife expert take the reins on a sightseeing winter safari. These nature lovers are enjoying a guided tour of Wyoming's National Elk Refuge.

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Snowkiting - There's an American snowkiting school in Utah's Ogden Valley with a reputation for excellence in this uplifting pastime. All you need is a power kite and an appetite for excitement.

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Harness racing - Harness racing at White Turf is adapted for the frigid winter conditions. Instead of using wheels, the cart sits on skis.

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