Winter brings with it plenty of negative connotations; cold, windy weather, shorter days, and plenty of sickness to go around. But for those who enjoy the wintry weather by getting involved in the season’s sports, it’s a whole different story. Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and the like bring a rush of excitement that will never go out of style, turning those negative connotations on their head. These sports offer people a chance to get lost in an alternate snow paradise, where fun and entertainment is the only thing on their mind.

Total Focus

One of the most riveting aspects of skiing and other snow sports is the fact that most of them demand your full attention. To be successful and enjoy the experience, you have no choice than to be totally locked in to what you are doing. Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling, the sport comes at you fast, and requires quick reactions and total focus. This gives people a respite from their regular lives, and is a cathartic experience which relieves them from any troubles or worries they may be dealing with before they touch that powdered snow.

The Thrill

For those looking for a laid-back, relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors, the fact of the matter is that skiing and other snow sports may not be for you. It’s true that over 40 people per year die from skiing or snowboarding related accidents. While most of these accidents involve highly dangerous slopes and riders that have no business challenging them, the truth is that the underlying danger of snow sports provides a rush of adrenaline that will always keep people coming back. As with any sport, though, if you take the right precautions, you can keep any unnecessary risk to a minimum.

The Scenery

There’s simply no way around it. Skiing and other snow sports are available in some of the most pristine, breathtaking locations in the world. For some of the best ski experiences stateside look to the 22 ski resorts in Colorado or check out the 10 ski resorts in Utah within an hour of the Salt Lake Airport. Both states offer some of the most gorgeous vistas you can find in the winter. Fresh snow is almost a guarantee with the Rocky Mountain area receiving a fresh foot every five days and the best type of powdery snow to make your trip magical.

As a matter of fact, Deer Valley Resort in Utah has been ranked as one of the top 10 most picturesque ski resorts in the world, boasting six mountains of varying elevations, and light, dry snow, perfect for a run down the slopes.

The Social Experience

While you’re out on the slopes, you’re relying on your own ability and skill set to get yourself safely and enjoyably down the hill. But these are more than just solitary experiences. Skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling are activities that are a ton of fun for the whole family or for a group of friends, and they are experiences that build bonds and memories that will last a lifetime. They are sports that can be learned from an early age, and shared with friends and family for years to come. Any time you hit the slopes, you are bound to find fellow skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers who are just happy to be there, and in the mood to share the experience.

Skiing and other snow sports remain extremely popular. Although the overall number of skiers in the United States dipped ever-so-slightly in 2016, there are still over 9.6 million skiers in the US alone, proving that there continues to be a huge demand for the sport, and a market that is not disappearing anytime soon. Skiing and other snow sports provide a unique experience, a blend of beautiful vistas with a rush of excitement that simply cannot be replaced.