Unusual winter sports in the Czech Republic
photo: (czechtourism.com)
Apart from a wide choice of ski slopes and terrains for freestyle skiing, Czech mountains also offer many facilities for untraditional winter activities ranging from adrenaline sports to fun leisure-time activities. You can try out bobsleigh tracks, ski-bobbing, snow scooters or a wild snow-tube ride. Other possibilities include riding a sledge or setting out for a journey on snowshoes into deep snow.
Ski-bobbing
The Czech Republic is one of the world powers in ski-bobbing.
Ski-bobbing is a winter sport taking place on steep ski slopes or slalom tracks. At first sight, the skibob resembles a children’s bike but instead of wheels, there are two short skis in one row attached to the bottom of the metal construction. The ski-bobber has his feet placed on the skis. Riders usually reach speeds of up to 120 km per hour. You can ride a ski-bob in all Czech mountains and it is possible to rent one in most ski resorts as well.
Snow scooters
This winter activity has not spread widely as the local mountains are rather small and there are only a few specially marked trails. Despite that, you can still frolic on the snowy plains of the
Krkonoše Mountains as well as in other bigger winter resorts, where you can rent scooters at some winter pensions. Scooters are most often used by mountain rescue, owners of mountain chalets, police and lift-servicemen.
Snow-tubing
Snow-tubing offers a wild ride on a special inflatable snow boat on a snow track. It is an adrenaline sport but you have nothing to worry about. There are snow-tubing areas in the
Novako Ski Resort, in Boží Dar
(map) Ski Resort or in the
Zubří Resort (map) near Nové Město in Moravia, which offers a 350-metre long snow-tubing track.
Snow shoes
Snowshoeing is a popular relaxation sports activity. Snowshoes used to be a means of getting across areas covered in snow in the past but are currently experiencing a great comeback. The principle is simple: the weight of the person spreads over a far larger area than just the feet, so one does not sink into the snow as much. You can use ski or trek poles to gain more balance. The greatest advantage of snowshoes is that you can head out anywhere you want, even outside cross-country skiing routes and into the woods. You may rent snowshoes in most ski resorts and enjoy a short walk as well as set out for a several-hour long journey.
Ride on a bobsleigh track
The adrenaline fuelled
bobsleigh track ride has become very popular with people of all ages. You can limit the style and speed of the ride yourself. You will find quality bobsleigh tracks in the
Krkonoše (map) Mountains (Harrachov or Špindlerův Mlýn Ski resorts), as well as in many other resorts.
Riding a sledge
It is not exclusively a children’s activity. You see that for yourself e.g. at the 4-km long natural sledge track in
Špindlerův Mlýn (map) or at the foothill of Černá hora (“Black Mountain” in the Krkonoše Mountains.