Holidays don't have to mean rest and relaxation on the beach. Many people prefer an action-packed winter holiday. To these hardy souls, the call of the ice and snow cannot be ignored. They'll take snowshoes over flip-flops any day. And while schussing on a pair of alpine skis is one way to have an exhilarating winter holiday, there are plenty of others.
Cross-country skiing - Norway
Cross-country skiing is the original and most effective means of getting across Norway's spectacular winter landscapes. It's easier and less daunting to learn than the downhill variety because you'll be doing it on flat terrain at first. As your skills quickly develop, you'll soon take on hills - both up and down, since you can also climb up them on cross-country skis. All this can be picked up in a day or two.
Once you've mastered the basics, a truly wonderful winter world opens up. Popular ski resorts such as Voss, east of Bergen, offer cross-country ski trails through the forests and low hills beneath their downhill ski slopes. Gala has more than 600 kilometres of marked trails winding through pine-scented forests, beside frozen lakes and over whaleback mountains.
Ski trails are graded for difficulty and length so you never have to bite off more than you can chew. You'll find ski h?tte (huts) en route where you can stop for refreshments.
It may sound obvious, but try to go cross-country skiing in midwinter when the low angle of the sun creates beautiful pastel shades of lilac, mauve and purple on the deep, expansive folds of winter snow, especially at the beginning and end of the day.
Ice climbing - Alberta, Canada
