by While just getting outside in winter is enough to enjoy the benefits of fresh air, why not take a cold dip, snowboard in the countryside or play snow polo to boost endorphins and energy levels?
After years of rest during the pandemic, many people are eager not only to get outdoors in winter, but also to stay there for a while. Resist the Swedish sense of hygge and embrace the Norwegian philosophy of “friluftsliv”: enjoying the outdoors regardless of the season, the weather forecast, your age or physical condition.
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The expression was coined by Henrik Ibsen in the 1850s, who used “friluftsliv” to describe the value of spending time in remote places for physical and spiritual well-being. Fast forward to today, when nine out of 10 Norwegians say they are interested in “friluftsliv,” according to Bente Lier, secretary general of Norsk Friluftsliv, a group of 18 Norwegian outdoor organizations.
Inhaling the great cold is a practice in many places. In snowy Finland, more and more children are spending time in forest schools to better understand nature and improve their physical and mental well-being.
For those eager to explore the frigid outdoors, travel and equipment aren’t necessarily required: a walk through the snowy forest, a winter picnic, cold water plunges, a game of beach soccer, or yoga in the park are a few. the posibilities.
Avid athletes gravitate toward snowshoeing, cold-water surfing, outdoor swimming, or skiing at ski-lift resorts like Bluebird Backcountry in Kremmling, Colorado. Trusting in human power, people walk to the top following pre-established skin footprints. Skiers and snowboarders can rent backcountry equipment at the base and take lessons. Instructors and guides are available for avalanche and backcountry education.
Intrepid skiers head to Tuckerman’s Ravine on the southeast face of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. The challenge is not only the complicated descent, but also the two-hour walk to the top. In Colorado, backcountry skiers can be found near Rabbit Ears Pass in Steamboat Springs, even under moonlight, or along the trails of Berthoud Pass in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
After seeing a decline in interest due to COVID-19 and the winters break, Nordic Blowfish Alpine Adventures is seeing an increase in people looking to take lessons and cross-country trips, according to director of operations Keith Jenns. who attributed it more to lifestyle changes. anything else.
China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism established a two-year plan to encourage more than 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports. And all over the world there are beaches that look like they were built for winter surfing, including Pichilemu, Chile; Thurso, Scotland; the Aleutian Islands in Alaska; Ireland’s Right Point; Polzeath beach in Cornwall and Hoddevik, Norway. In the United States, the intrepid don’t need to be so hard-working and ride the waves taking the subway to Far Rockaway, diving off the coast of New England, or cruising down Highway 1 in California.
Started in 1985, the Saint Moritz Snow Polo World Cup now attracts more than 25,000 spectators during the weekend event, which will take place from January 26 to 28 on the frozen lake. Attendance skyrocketed after the pandemic, with many people looking forward to getting outdoors and reconnecting with friends.
The event, which is a huge economic impact for Angeline, generates around 22 million Swiss francs or almost $24.9 million for Saint Moritz and the rest of the Engadin Valley. Bookings at hotels in the area are already almost full, especially in the fancier destinations, as polo has become a bit posh, according to the event’s communications and media director, Katja Grauwiler. Tickets for the polo gala at the Badrutt Palace are already sold out, she said. However, entry to the three-day event is free. Many attendees extend the day by walking across a frozen lake with friends or heading to Polo Village for a hot toddy or meal.
“The best players in the world come. It is spectacular to see. It can be very intense, rough and tough,” he said of the event. “The complete combination of location and excitement of the game appeals to all guests, from locals to super VIPs.”
From a fashion point of view, there is a lot of quiet luxury in Saint Moritz from haute couture brands and skiwear. Furs are no longer prevalent, and younger generations are showing up in luxury ski clothing from Fendi, Armani and trendier brands like Mackage, which sponsors one of our teams, Grauwiler said. “What is still special is that at night, especially in five-star hotels and good restaurants, people still dress up. You can see a lot of pretty jewelry, watches, evening wear and cocktail dresses.”
Cold weather is also hot in the wellness space, according to cold-weather specialist and Ice Cold Club founder Lauren Schramm, who takes a three-minute dip in the cold water daily.
By spending more time outdoors in winter, you’ll build resilience in your mind, body and nervous system, he said. “Through intentional stress, you can condition your nervous system to come out of that fight, flight or freeze state and into a more neutral state,” Schramm said, adding that those decompression skills can be used in everyday life. . , rather than overreacting to everyday annoyances or random encounters.
The Brooklyn resident, who is also a global Nike trainer, also leads cold-immersion workshops for 30 people. Even after three and a half years of cold diving, the experience is still not something she looks forward to, but the post-dive dopamine rush, burst of endorphins and overall feeling of calm make it worth it, she said. .
Schramm got hooked after attending a Wim Hof workshop with a coach he continues to work with and who, ironically, comes from Miami. To expand her base, the trainer is looking for a location in Brooklyn so she can offer more cold baths and saunas.
Instead of avoiding going outdoors in the colder months, people just need appropriate clothing, such as suitable gloves and comfortable socks, he said.
“You can do most of the things you do in the summer in the winter,” he said. “It is important that you start early in the season, doing the things you like and playing the sports you like, so that your body can acclimatize accordingly. You don’t want to start in mid-January.”
Open water swimming, even in cold water (where temperatures can drop as low as 33.8 Fahrenheit) became very popular during the pandemic and “is still going strong,” according to Borut Strel of Strel Swimming Adventures. He runs that swimming holiday business with his father Martin, the Guinness Book of World Records holder and the only man to have swum the Amazon, Yangtze, Parana, Mississippi and Danube rivers.
Swimmers hosted by Strel cover three to three and a half miles each day, with Turkey, Croatia and Mexico being the most popular locations. There is also interest in traveling to Slovenia, where the rivers may be colder, Borut Strel said. “Most people live somewhere where they can try open water swimming. You need to be prepared for an adventure. Every outdoor bath is different, even if you do it in the same place. It is important to be aware of safety factors such as weather, tides, boat traffic and marine life. Know your limits. Enjoy it recreationally, combining open water swimming with pool swimming practices.”
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