Snow Sport

The Beijing Olympics will be the first ever Winter Olympics to rely solely on fake snow. Will the athletes know the difference?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Curling seldom gets respect from the average Olympic watcher, what with its stones and brooms, and its leisurely pace. Yet this ancient sport dating back 500 years is growing in popularity. And it's harder than it looks.

By Dave Roos

Skiing requires strong muscles and good balance, and like most major sports, it has its own set of important exercises. What are ski squats, and how can they help on the slopes?

By Julia Layton

If the idea of propelling yourself through quiet, snowy wilderness appeals to you, then you may want to try cross-country skiing. But what makes cross-country skiing different from alpine or downhill skiing?

By Tom Scheve

Craving a rush of adrenaline? Flying down a near-vertical slope at highway speeds just might do the trick. Extreme skiing isn't for the faint of heart.

By Tom Scheve

When winter comes around, many sailors have to retire their hobby for the winter -- but not those who sail on ice. What is it about ice sailing that has kept this centuries-old sport popular around the world?

By William Harris

These days, skiers usually hit the slopes at ski resorts -- ski areas that also provide lodgings. How do ski resorts grade their slopes, maintain conditions and reduce their effect on the environment?

By Jessika Toothman

There are all kinds of snowboards to suit all different types of snowboarders. But there's a lot to consider when you choose one for yourself -- you need other gear that matches your new ride, too.

By Jonathan Strickland

Whether you're interested in slaloming down the slopes faster than Alberto Tomba or landing a sweet 180 at the terrain park, you need the right set of skis. What's yours?

By Jacob Silverman

One dreary workday, you steal a glance at the snowfall rates at your favorite ski spots. When you discover that good skiing is to be had, you hatch a plan to call in sick and catch a cheap flight out of town. But what do you need to bring with you?

By Molly Edmonds

Snowshoes can get you to places that would otherwise be impassable due to snow. But that's not all they're good for -- if you're just looking for a winter recreational activity that's not too expensive and doesn't require a lot of specialized skill to do, you just might want to pick up a pair.

By Molly Edmonds

What do you get when you combine hiking and downhill skiing? If your answer is "a lot of work," chances are you have yet to discover the joys of alpine touring.

By Tiffany Connors

Decades ago, bored surfers and skateboarders experimented with bolted skis and cafeteria trays to create a new sport. How did snowboarding become so popular, and is there still a rivalry on the slopes?

By Stephanie Watson

Is dog still man's best friend in the rugged Alaskan wilderness? Would a pack of sled dogs bog you down or lead you to safety in the icy outdoors?

By Cristen Conger

Ice fishing is as much about camaraderie as it is about catching fish. But is this recreational sport also dangerous?

By Stephanie Watson

Explorers have been trekking to the North Pole -- or close to it, at least -- for centuries. How do you go about getting there yourself?

By Tiffany Connors

Maybe you've seen mushers driving dogsleds across frozen terrain and heard their trademark call. But mushing is quite dangerous. It's safer to travel by snowmobile or airplane, so why would mushers put their lives and their dogs' in peril?

By Kathleen Seiler Neary

Sled dogs carry a sled, a driver and loads of gear across icy, dangerous terrain. What keeps them going, and how do drivers keep the dogs from getting hurt?

By Kathleen Seiler Neary

The Iditarod is an adventure that defies imagination: a 1,131-mile (1,821-kilometer) dog sled race through desolate tundra, dense forest, snow-swept mountains and the frigid Alaskan coast.

By Kathleen Seiler Neary

Luge is one of the fastest — and most dangerous — sports in the Winter Olympics. The athletes race down the icy, high-banked tracks at up to 90 miles per hour (140 kilometers per hour). How do they do it safely?

By Julia Layton & Patty Rasmussen

Bobsled drivers and crew plummet down a hill on a track or run that's full of twists and turns. A wrong move can cause a dramatic crash. Learn about the athletes who make up a bobsled team, bobsled runs and the physics behind bobsledding.

By Tracy V. Wilson & Patrick J. Kiger

If you've ever ridden a snowmobile you know that it is a fun fast-paced way to sightsee and go places that cars can't take you. Learn how snowmobiles operate.

By Patrick Emond

Think you need to depend on Mother Nature for snow? Think again. With cool temperatures and a good supply of water, snow makers can cover the ground in the fluffy white stuff in no time.

By Tom Harris & Talon Homer

Imagine cross-country skiing for 5 kilometers, then -- with your heart pounding, your legs shaking and your fingers chilled to the bone -- shooting five targets at 50 meters with exactly five shots.

By Ed Grabianowski

From the frozen lakes and rivers of Canadian winters to nationally televised games played at high-tech arenas before 20,000 fans ... ice hockey has come a long way. Learn all about the game, the rules and the milestones of hockey.

By Ed Grabianowski