Ice Baths, Dogs & Boats! Adventures Away From the Slopes

While most winter visitors to Austria can’t wait to hit the slopes, alternative activities have become increasingly popular in recent years. And these are by no means limited to the classics such as ice-skating, tobogganing, curling, and winter hiking – even though all of these are still widely available and beloved.

To spice things up, we’d like to introduce you to three of the most popular current trends. Have you ever tried winter canoeing on a glacier lake, dipped into an ice-cold lake or cuddled up with huskies? If not, now is the time! And, to make things even better, these activities are not only unique and fun, but they also come with added physical and mental health benefits

Huskies are a human’s best friend! Dog sledging and other animal adventures

Exploring Austria’s winter wonderland together with a bunch of locals is a thing not to be missed. But who says that these locals have to walk on two legs? Winter is the perfect time for animal encounters and joint adventures such as husky and horse sledging are especially popular with families and couples visiting Austria. According to scientists, just being near animals, cuddling and touching them releases endorphins and has an instant calming effect when suffering from stress, tiredness or even anxiety. What’s more, animals encourage us to be more active outdoors and strengthen our fitness and immune system.

Husky sledging tours vary in length and style but generally come with an introduction on how to navigate the sled and plenty of cuddling time. Some of the most popular places include Husky Toni’s Camp in Vorarlberg, the husky camps in the Waldviertel region and Kitzbühler Alpen. More of a pony person? Head to Katschberg in Carinthia, Wilder Kaiser region and Großarl in Tirol or Upper Austria’s Hinterstoder for a romantic ride.

Ice, Ice Bathing! The benefits of cold water swimming

Diving into a frozen lake in winter may sound slightly insane at first glance. However, ice bathing (also known as cold water immersion) is gaining more and more fans in Austria every year. Those addicted to the cold baths describe them as an extreme form of meditation, where it’s all about the moment and the breathing, while wellness gurus such as Wim Hof (known from Gwyneth Paltrow’s Netflix hit “The Goop Lab”) praise their potential anti-inflammatory, fat-burning, and stress-reducing effects. Researchers at Cambridge University even discovered a connection between cold water shock and a protein, which could protect against degenerative diseases such as dementia.

Ice bathing is possible anywhere in Austria during the winter months. For obvious reasons, however, certain precautions should be taken: Never go alone, walk into the water slowly instead of jumping in and get out after a few minutes maximum. There are also courses for beginners in many winter resorts. 

Cool tours! Winter canoeing, kayaking and rafting

If you think paddling is only fun in summer, think again! In fact, winter canoeing and kayaking has become increasingly popular in recent years. And it’s easy to see why: The lakes and rivers are less crowded than during the classic paddling months, you can rent all the equipment you need on site, including life jackets and helmets, and even beginners will quickly get the hang of it. What’s more, you get the chance to explore Austria’s winter wonderland from a completely new perspective, while enjoying all the health benefits of outdoor exercising.

While, in theory, winter paddling can be done on all freely accessible public lakes and rivers, kayak or canoe schools and guided tours are a good starting point, especially for newbies. And Austria has plenty of them! Fancy an icy adventure? Nature’s Ice Palace at the Hintertux Glacier is a magic crevasse wonderland below the ski slopes, where you will glide past giant sparking ice crystals, frozen waterfalls and even paddle in a glacial lake. Adrenaline junkies should head to the Kitzalp canoe school for a canoeing course on the Saalach river. Prefer a slightly more relaxing trip? An idyllic kayak or canoe tour on Lake Neusiedl will instantly relax your body and mind!