Lonely Planet’s Epic Snow Adventures of the World features a collection of 150 awe-inspiring and offbeat winter experiences, including 24 unique Australian and New Zealand activities. Photo: Supplied.
The beauty of winter lies in its silent, snowy landscapes. Glistening snowflakes blanket the earth, turning ordinary scenes into ethereal realms. Covered with frost, trees stand like sculptures, sparkling, and frozen lakes shimmer in the crisp air.
When it comes to travel, several bucket-list adventures are possible only in winter, such as ice skating at New York’s Rockefeller Plaza or spotting polar bears in the Arctic. Some say adventuring in the snowy months is only for the most hardcore among us, but you do not need to be a skier, snowboarder or climber to access the beauty of winter. You only need the urge to step out of your comfort zone.
According to Lonely Planet head of experience Tom Hall, the beauty of Lonely Planet’s Epic Snow Adventures of the World is “the low barrier to entry, full of winter adventures that are family-friendly, cold by day but cosy by night, or even downright luxurious.
“You’ll find winter adventures that are easy, but also exhilarating, like spending the night in a hotel made of ice or making eye contact with a grey wolf. Of course, many winter fanatics are passionate about skiing and snowboarding, which is why we’ve also created the ultimate insider’s guide to several of the greatest ski resorts around the world, such as Val d’Isere, Cardrona, Portillo and Palisades Tahoe.”
Furthermore, we have an an eye-opener, getting an insider’s guide from renowned winter athletes, Olympic gold medallists and world champions, including freestyle skiing guru Jonny Moseley, multi-Olympic medallist Bode Miller, snowboard champion Sage Kotsenburg, champion free skier Arianna Tricomi and iconic pro snowboarders Victor de le Rue and Bryan Iguchi.
For a truly grand winter adventure, you might even be able to combine the experiences featured in this book: Ski Jackson Hole Mountain Resort one day, Yellowstone for a winter wildlife safari the next. Ski Portillo in Chile all week and cap the trip off with a day of dogsled mushing.
While Lonely Planet reveals 150 thrilling winter tales and experiences, discover 24 unique Australian and Kiwi adventures for even the most seasoned snow traveller. Spots for some top ventures include Mt Kosciuszko in Australia; Mt Bogong, Victoria; Mt Ossa, Tasmania; Mt Feathertop, Victoria; and the Southern Alps, Queenstown, Wye Creek and Mt Aspiring (Tititea), all in New Zealand.
Think beyond the ski slopes and prepare to be enthralled as you embark on a journey through these larger-than-life stories that will ignite your passion for snowy escapades. Immerse yourself in offbeat activities like tobogganing, telemarking or dogsledding, or embark on impressive Antarctic expeditions, partake in cultural festivals, or even indulge in the luxurious comfort of an ice hotel.
From powder-hunting in Hokkaido, Japan, to avanto swimming in Finland, ski-touring in Australia, and ice climbing in Colorado, USA, this book unravels the world’s most extraordinary winter adventures.
“While others perceive dreary wet weather, winter lovers envision light fluffy powder descending from the heavens,” Mr Hall said.
“Instead of hibernating, these enthusiasts are gearing up their fat bikes, skis and snowboards, eagerly anticipating the excitement that lies ahead.”
The allure of winter explorations extends far beyond the realms of skiing, snowboarding and climbing. Lonely Planet’s Epic Snow Adventures of the World unveils myriad accessible winter experiences suitable for all ages and interests.
The defining feature of each adventure is its epic nature, promising unforgettable memories for all who dare to step even a little out of their comfort zones.
The main stories in each chapter of Lonely Planet’s Epic Snow Adventures of the World feature first-hand accounts of exciting winter journeys around the world, including in the US, Canada, the Southern Hemisphere, Europe and Asia. Each includes a directions toolkit to help plan the trip – the best time of year to hike, how to get there, and any special equipment required.
Beyond that, however, these stories are likely to inspire other ideas or the start of a process – as evident in the ‘‘More Like This’’ section following each story, which offers other concepts along a similar theme, or in the same region or country.
On the contents page, the exploits have been colour-coded to their difficulty, which takes into account not just how long, remote and challenging they are, but also their logistics and local conditions.
Crisp, colourful photographs in this 320-page hardback will not only motivate you, but enable you to get ready to embrace an unforgettable winter expedition that will both chill and thrill you!
Lonely Planet’s Epic Snow Adventures of the World, $44.99
