Top Winter Sports Destinations Inspired by the 2022 Winter Games

Feeling inspired by the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing? Create your own competition at these top winter sports destinations around the world.

Here are the best places to go around the world for your own Olympic rush of glory.

Olympic Ski-Jumping in Park City, Utah, USA

It’s the Winter Olympics at its most mentally chilling: lycra-ed figures in oversized skis hurtling down jumps, launching off at 90 km/h, dangling mid-air, then landing safely (hopefully) on the slope below. These athletes are incredibly brave. Join them at Utah’s Olympic Park, near Salt Lake City, which hosted the 2002 games. The park offers expert coaches to guide beginners off 2m-high jumps or higher, if they dare. If not, the park’s zipline starts at the top of the K120 ski jump, providing a thrilling experience. Admission to Utah Olympic Park is free; paid-guided tours run daily.

Toboggan Through the Woods, Cresta Run in St Moritz, Switzerland

Brave folks have been hurling themselves down Cresta Run since 1885. This historic toboggan course is 1.2 km long, carved from the Engadine Valley’s ice each year. The course twists, turns, and plunges 157 vertical meters to the hamlet of Celerina. The course record is a frightening 50.09 seconds; beginners must start from the Junction, one-third down. Skill lies in balancing speed and technique, using special boots to brake and steer around corners without crashing.

Bobsled Down a Real Olympic Track in Lillehammer, Norway

Speeding down a bobsleigh track at up to 120 km/h and facing forces of 5G might sound daunting, but in Lillehammer, Norway, you can give it a try. The Olympic bobsleigh run from the 1994 Winter Games, measuring 1710 meters long, is still open for action. Tackle its turns in a four-man bob with a pilot or opt for a rubber bob-raft, which can still reach 100 km/h. In summer, wheel-bobs provide year-round excitement.

Experience Ice Hockey in Toronto, Canada

Ice hockey is the official sport of Canada, invented in its current form in 1875. Experience this passion in Toronto: visit the Hockey Hall of Fame to view memorabilia, get close to the famed Stanley Cup, and try your hand against a virtual goalie. Additionally, you may want to grab a ticket for a Maple Leafs match to witness the action live. If you wish to play, rent a stick and skates at public rinks and join a game of ‘shinny’.

Snowboarding in Wanaka, New Zealand

Want the Winter Olympics to last throughout the year? New Zealand’s slopes offer excellent snowboarding action from June to October, perfectly complemented by a snow season spent in the northern regions. The lakeside town of Wanaka is home to various ski areas: Cardrona for beginners, Snow Farm for cross-country, Treble Cone for advanced off-pisters, and Snow Park for freestylers. You can even take your board aboard a helicopter to access the biggest heli-ski area outside North America, where the powder is untouched and views are stunning.

Short flights connect Wanaka to Christchurch; driving takes about five hours. The drive from Queenstown to Wanaka is an hour.

Downhill Skiing and Hot Springs in Nagano, Japan

Although there are bigger slopes out there, few can compete with the charm of snow monkeys and hot springs. The deep-powder pistes in Nagano, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics, boast numerous resorts. Stay at the ancient village of Nozawa Onsen, ski by day, and enjoy 13 public baths at night. Experience the Dosojin Fire Festival, where locals celebrate with flaming rituals.

Trains run from Tokyo to Nagano (90 minutes); it takes 75 minutes by bus from Nagano to Nozawa Onsen.

Figure-Skating on Natural Ice in Lake Weissensee, Carinthia, Austria

Lake Weissensee boasts the only skating academy based on natural ice, providing an exhilarating setting. From mid-December until early March, the lake freezes, supervised by an ice master, with 25 km of rinks for everyone to enjoy, including hockey players and horse-drawn sleigh riders.

Curling and its Hall of Fame in Scotland

In Scotland, where the Women’s Curling Team triumphed at the 2002 Olympics, you can learn this slippery sport at the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, which offers taster sessions. For more inspiration, visit the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame at Edinburgh’s National Museum, which displays the ‘stone of destiny’ that clinched victory for the British team.

Speed-Skating on the World’s Largest Rink in Ottawa, Canada

During winter, the Rideau Canal becomes the world’s largest skating rink, stretching 7.8 km through Canada’s capital. When temperatures drop below -10°C, Ottawans flock to the ice for a picturesque glide along the canal. It’s a fairy-tale way to see the city. While you can speed-skate, it’s more enjoyable to take your time and stop for hot chocolate at stalls set up directly on the ice.

Cross-Country Skiing on Over 100km of Trails in Vermont, USA

In Vermont, the sound of swooshing fills the air near Stowe, at the Trapp Family Lodge, home of the legendary Von Trapp family singers. The family brought their passion for cross-country skiing to the U.S. in 1950, creating the country’s first Nordic resort. Today, over 100 km of groomed and back-country trails are available for exploration in this scenic part of New England.

By car, the Trapp Family Lodge is 2.5 hours from Montréal and six hours from New York.

During your travels, ensure you keep up with local authorities for any changes in safety recommendations, especially during health crises.

This article was first published on January 3, 2014, and updated on January 13, 2022.