Image of Ice Climber in Ouray, CO by Caroline Mayou
There are two types of people out there when the winter months arrive: those who hunker down indoors with blankets and an impressive Netflix queue, and those that relish getting outside. In knowing that the options are a bit more limited, we’ve narrowed down a list of the best extreme winter sports -- some of which may be new for you. Before scrolling down, know that the gear you use is a bit more crucial in the wintertime. However you decide to piece together your layers, boots, and balaclavas, be sure to stock up on Heat Factory Warmers before setting out on any of these extreme winter sports.
Snowkiting
For avid downhill skiers and snowboarders who may not have access to a mountain resort, snowkiting is a logical alternative. Picture kiteboarding, but on the snow. And because you’re not fighting waves or dealing with dropping your kite in the water, it’s actually significantly easier to learn. Anyone with a wide open patch of snow can effectively get out and ride without paying exorbitant lift ticket fees, which makes this one of our favorite winter sports.
Ice Diving
If you’re scuba certified and ready for the next adventure, consider ice diving. It’s extreme, challenging, and simply one of the most unusual sports out there. The idea is to drill several holes in the ice, and have someone (usually an experienced guide) rig up a cable connecting them. Then you drop into the water, attach your harness to the line, and scurry beneath the ice to see what lies beneath. Without a doubt, this is not recommended for anyone even remotely claustrophobic.
Skijoring
Did you ever throw a leash on your dog and have them pull you on a skateboard or roller blades? That’s the concept behind skijoring -- but in the winter, and a little more extreme. The origins of skijoring can be traced to the 1850s in Scandinavia, and over the years it’s grown into the biggest winter pastime you’ve probably never heard about. This sport -- which can be done with dogs or horses -- requires the stamina of cross-country skiing, the core strength of wakeboarding, and the balance of downhill skiing.
Snow Biking
Quickly gaining traction in the world of extreme outdoor sports is snow biking. And no -- this is not simply taking out your roadster on icy winter streets. Specially-designed ‘fat bikes’ with oversized and low-pressure tires are used to conquer winter tundras in one of the most thrilling winter sports around. It’s usually not as high-speed as downhill mountain biking, but it’s an excellent way to get your heart rate pumping.
Biathlon
When it comes to the winter Olympics, the biathlon is usually overshadowed by blockbuster giants like skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, and even curling. However many folks have caught onto the curious sport of biathlon -- the curious sport that combines downhill skiing and rifle shooting. Although it seems pretty obscure, you can actually learn for yourself here in the U.S. Some places to learn the ropes include Lake Placid, NY, the Soldier Hollow Cross Country Ski Resort in Utah, and the Maine Winter Sports Center.
Airboarding
Airboarding is what happens when kids who grew up sledding get degrees in engineering and product design. An inflatable tube with specially-designed grooves on the bottom allows you to fly down the mountain, make turns with a surprising amount of control, and stop by shifting your weight to the front. Check out this video for an idea as to how fast you can get going.
Shovel Racing
Shovel racing is the beautiful and refined art of straddling a shovel and riding it down a mountain. It’s one of those peculiar 1970s ideas that probably gained more momentum than in deserved, but for better or worse, it’s here to stay. It was featured in the 1997 Winter X Games, and since then it’s become much more extreme than just a fun alternative use of a shovel. Speeds of 70 miles per hour have been tracked, and there aren’t exactly brakes, per se.
]]>This may sound like a no-brainer, but if possible, try choosing routes that are either in the sun or ones that have been recently exposed to sunlight. Rock faces that have spent the morning basking in sun are going to carry some heat throughout the day.
Many people think that if they’re not sweating, they’re not losing any liquids. In cold weather environments, you actually become more dehydrated through respiration than through perspiration. Your lungs especially need to stay hydrated during your time on the rock. Make sure to stay hydrated at all times throughout your climb.
Pack the Right Gear
As a general rule of thumb, pack for the most intense situations. There’s nothing worse than showing up at the trailhead and realizing that you actually will need snowshoes, crampons, or an ice ax. Do your research and try to be reasonable, but always pack gear that takes everything into account.
BROWSE BY BUNDLE
For the lady friend in your life who knows that style shouldn’t be compromised by practicality, this is the bundle for her.
To keep her noggin warm and cozy this holiday season, our Heated Contour Beanie will fit snugly and provide long-lasting warmth when she needs it most. It packs down light, comes in different colors, and can be used for everything from running and camping to lounging by the fire. With slots for warmers over each ear, it’s a no-brainer for keeping the brain warm.
And lastly, cold feet make for unhappy campers, but our Heated Merino Wool Socks solve that problem. Giving the gift of warm feet is, as anyone with poor circulation will tell you, truly a gift from the heavens.
For the guy that isn’t particularly a gear enthusiast but nonetheless likes to stay warm, here are some great ideas for a holiday bundle.
While the Men’s Heated Beanie doesn’t set the strongest fashion statement, it gets the job done. It’s made with ultra-soft fleece and has pockets for warmers over each ear. It’s a kind of one-size-fits-all-circumstances beanie, so he’ll be wearing it at home on the couch and the in the most extreme outdoor environments.
Equally as versatile are our Heated Pop-Top Mittens. Don’t let the “mittens” part scare away anyone who is partial to gloves. With one swift motion you will be able to change from a functional inner liner glove to a warm mitten for ultimate protection from the elements. Like all our gloves, they’re also designed to hold warmers.
Round out your bundle gift by topping it off with a pack of our Small Hand Warmers. With this he’ll be able to take his beanie, his mittens, and his entire warmth game to the next level.
We all have a friend or family member that places preparation at a premium. Rarely do they leave the house without a bag filled with snacks, sunscreen, extra water, and chapstick. Here’s the bundle with them in mind.
Few people would be excited to receive a gift that they may potentially never use, but those people are not your always-prepared relative. For the first part of our bundle, the Emergency Variety Set is complete with hand warmers, body warmers, toe warmers, glow sticks, and an emergency blanket. This makes for a great gift for them to stash in the car if things go awry.
If they’re serious about warmth -- which your always-prepared uncle definitely is -- they deserve our Heated Neck Gaiter as the second component of the bundle. With pockets for warmers over the ears, chest, and back, it goes one step further in defending against the most harsh climates.
Is your always-prepared uncle going to sit on a frigid metal stadium bench for hours with nothing but a pair of pants? Nope. If our Heated Stadium Cushion is for anyone, it’s for them. It boasts a water-resistant bottom, a durable top, and two pockets for our large warmers.
We have a lineup of Mossy Oak gear oriented towards hunters, and bundling them together will save you money and have them heading out as stealthy and as comfortable as possible.
With efficiency in mind, opt to give our Heated Deluxe Balaclava to your hunting enthusiast. Essentially combining a beanie and a neck gaiter in one piece, this camouflage Mossy Oak item is the ideal gift.
Also donned with the signature Mossy Oak design, the Battery Powered Hand Warmer Muff is by and far the most efficient way to keep your hands warm while on a hunt. It’s extremely thin and the 5V battery can crank the temperature up to 130 degrees.
When you have the face and hands covered, you can’t leave your feet vulnerable! Staying true to the bundle, this Mossy Oak Mid Calf Wool Sock will give your loved one the warmth and the stealth they need. The dark green color will have them blending in with the surrounding brush, and the warmer pocket above the toes will keep their feet nice and toasty.
It’s no secret that cold feet can throw a wrench in the day’s activities. What’s more, sometimes they affect everyone within close vicinity by way of low morale. Here’s our holiday bundle that keeps your love ones’ most precious extremities in mind.
It’s official: 2019 is the year of a revamped, remote-controlled heated insole. That’s right -- our ProFLEX OUTDOORS Insoles work conveniently with a hand-held remote control that can toggle your feet warmth from idle, to medium (100 degrees), and high (111 degrees).
Another Christmas means another year in the books -- which means everyone is getting a little bit older. Pains and aches are sticking around longer than they used to, so here’s a mini bundle for your friend or family member that always on the mend.
Start off by gifting our large Adhesive Body Warmer, which is the industry’s leading product for rapid heat-based therapy. Apply this patch anywhere on your biggest muscles -- lower back, shoulders, hamstrings -- and feel the relief of up to 10 hours of warmth.
Made especially for the lower back, hips, and shoulders, this Heated Back and Body Wrap has two sleeves that hold large Heat Factory warmers. It’s designed to be worn outside of clothing, but can be worn directly on the skin if needed.
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Article by Dillon Dubois
Winter storms (and their warnings) seem to grow more alarming each and every year. When you start hearing terms like “bomb cyclone” and how they could “wreak havoc” on impacted areas, you know things are serious. Thankfully, there’s a good handful of precautionary measures you can take to mitigate the potential damage to you, your loved ones, and your possessions. For everything from driving techniques to emergency kits, here are the best ways to prepare for a winter storm.
Although this may be the most obvious, it’s not worth overlooking. Once you get word of a winter storm warning, make sure you take some time to pack your pantry with lots of healthy, non-perishable foods. Granola bars, nuts, and canned goods are all excellent options. Going hand-in-hand with food is water. Head to your local store and grab some large gallon-sized bottles of water in case your pipes happen to malfunction.
Once a year, your furnace needs to be serviced -- no questions asked. Skipping this can cause it to break down at any time, including during a winter storm when you’ll be needing it most. The DIY types can get the job done in under a few hours and about $20, but otherwise just reach out to your HVAC technician and take care of it before the coldest months hit.
If the storm comes on suddenly, chances are you’re not going to be in ready position when it hits. If you’re caught out on the road, you’re going to thank yourself for the time you spent brushing up on winter driving tips. Knowing to accelerate and decelerate slowly, knowing your breaks, how to start from second gear (as this minimizes tire slippage), and how to apply your own chains may be the difference in your safety.
Emergency kits are a must-have household item any time of the year, but especially before a winter storm. Stock up on flashlights, extra batteries, whistles to signal for help, portable gas-fueled campings stoves, hygienic products, and more. Make sure you know your entire family’s health issues and the medicine they may require for up to one week.
Heat Factory's Hand Warmers are commonly thought of as a product to stay extra toasty while doing the activities you love, they could also be the difference between a terrible and a not-so-terrible winter storm experience. Having a pack of long-lasting (up to 10 hours) warmers ready in both your home and car is a pro tip that is genuinely worth considering.
The most pressing dangers involved in a winter storm are frostbite and hypothermia, hands down. If your pre-storm preparedness fails, you’ll need to rely on some basic cold weather first aid techniques. Get up to speed on what to do and what not to do when symptoms first arise.
Perhaps the most useful thing you’ll need during a winter storm is up-to-date information. In the time leading up to and during the storm, staying updated is priceless. For this we recommend getting your hands on a crank-powered flashlight radio. While it’s not the sexiest piece of technology, it will get the job done. If WiFi and phone signals are down, radio is the most surefire way to get important information.
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