From Skiing to Snowshoeing: 5 Winter Mountain Activities to Try
- Sarah Gilbertson
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 8
For women rediscovering joy, variety, and confidence after 40
Skiing was once my go-to winter adventure - a lifelong passion since childhood. But over time, I’ve learned the mountains offer so much more than alpine skiing. There’s a whole world of winter mountain activities that remind us fun in the snow is what we make it.
If your knees aren’t what they used to be, you’re recovering from setbacks, or you simply want a fresh perspective, these alternatives prove that joy in the mountains isn’t about age or ability - it’s about choice.
Here are five ways to fall in love with winter all over again.
1. Alpine Skiing: A Classic Winter Mountain Activity
Whether you’re carving smooth turns on a blue run, navigating a piste full of moguls, or skinning uphill for fresh tracks, alpine skiing delivers freedom like no other.
Tip: Ski on your terms. Your body knows the difference between tension and flow. Ski the runs where you feel ease - that’s how confidence grows.
Try: Give your body something steady to return to - a breath, a hum, or the rhythm of your turns.
2. Telemark Skiing: For Graceful Adventurers
With free-heel bindings and elegant, sweeping turns, telemark skiing builds strength and balance in equal measure. It’s tough at first but deeply rewarding - and yes, your legs will thank you for the workout.
Tip: Book a lesson. The lunge position is a challenge, and expert eyes will fast-track your progress.
Try: Short sessions at first. Your quads will thank you later.
3. Snowshoeing: Slow and Serene
On days when speed doesn’t appeal, snowshoeing offers a slower way to explore. The crunch of snow underfoot and the silence of a winter forest make it almost meditative.
Tip: Dress in layers - it can be surprisingly sweaty work.
Try: A guided snowshoe walk. You’ll discover hidden trails and often meet like-minded people along the way.
SnowShoeing /Winter Walks
4. Cross-Country Skiing: A Winter Mountain Activity for Rhythm and Flow
Cross-country skiing is the perfect mix of fitness and tranquillity. Whether you stick to classic tracks or try skate-style, the rhythmic glide is both cardio and calming.
Tip: Hire kit to start and take a lesson. Technique matters here.
Try: Tree-lined beginner trails for a gentle way in. Or, if you fancy something immersive, look at Nordic ski retreats that combine skiing with yoga. I’ve had my eye on Gutsy Girls’ Cross-Country Ski Retreat for some time - it looks like a beautiful way to experience the sport.
Classic Cross Country Skiing - Marathon Race Jan. 2025
5. Snowboarding: A Fresh Perspective
Swapping skis for a snowboard is often humbling - but exhilarating. I tried snowboarding in St Anton years ago. I enjoyed the challenge but missed the flow of skiing, so I happily went back to my skis with a few extra bruises and a lot of respect for boarders.
Tip: Don’t skip lessons. Even if you’re a confident skier, snowboarding muscles and balance are different.
Try: Practice on beginner slopes with button lifts before tackling steeper terrain.
Top Tips for Winter Adventure Success
Tune into your capacity. Some days you’ll be up for moguls, other days a snowshoe through the trees feels just right. Honouring where you are now is what expands what’s possible next time.
Build in joy. A scenic coffee stop, humming your way down a run, playing in some moguls or simply pausing to take in the view - these choices matter as much as the action.
Pace yourself. You don’t have to tick every activity off the list. Sometimes the best mountain days are the slowest.
Stay curious. A new lesson, a different style of skiing, or even just experimenting with your breath can unlock surprising confidence.
Ready to Embrace Your Winter Adventure?
Whether you’re gliding along cross-country tracks, taking your first telemark turns, or simply slowing down on snowshoes, the mountains offer endless ways to enjoy winter. The key is to choose what feels good for you.
Your Next Steps
Ready to stop fighting your nervous system and start working with it? Whether it’s on the slopes, in recovery, or navigating the beautiful complexity of midlife, I help women understand what’s really happening in their bodies.
You’re not broken. You’re working with a new map - one your body already knows. When you learn to listen to it, and then expand it at your own pace, skiing becomes lighter, freer, and far more joyful.
👉 Join my monthly newsletter Flourish Notes from Sarah for more insights on nervous system health, stress, and the small moments that bring us back to ourselves.
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About Sarah
Sarah Gilbertson is a Therapeutic Coach for women, a BASI-qualified ski instructor (alpine & adaptive), Snowsport England-qualified coach (race & moguls), and a certified Pilates teacher.
With over eight years in the European ski industry - from running chalets with Crystal Ski to managing mountain operations for Mark Warner and working with Evolution 2 in Chamonix - Sarah knows mountain life from every angle, on and off the slopes.
After recovering from back surgery and navigating the realities of perimenopause, she learned first-hand that lasting ski confidence isn’t just about mindset - it’s about nervous system literacy. Today, she helps women rebuild confidence, expand capacity, and rediscover joy in skiing on their own terms.
👉 Book a free discovery call to explore how Therapeutic Coaching can help you ski (and live) with more confidence and joy.
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