Wintersports

Wintersports are sports that take place on snow or ice during winter, indoors or outdoors. They rely on cold conditions, snow cover or frozen surfaces, and use specialized equipment such as skis, snowboards, ice skates, or sleds.

Common activities include alpine skiing, Nordic skiing (cross-country and ski jumping), freestyle skiing, snowboarding, speed skating and figure skating, ice hockey, and curling. Less widespread but practiced at a high level are sliding sports such as bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton. Some disciplines combine racing with shooting or skiing, as in biathlon.

Governance and competition are structured around multiple bodies. The International Ski Federation (FIS) oversees most alpine, Nordic, and snowboard events; the International Skating Union (ISU) covers figure and speed skating; the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) governs hockey; curling is managed by the World Curling Federation. The Winter Olympic Games are the premier global event for many wintersports, supplemented by world championships and other regional championships.

Safety and training are central to wintersports. Athletes use protective gear such as helmets and padding and follow sport-specific rules to manage risks from falls, collisions, and environmental hazards. Weather, snow conditions, and terrain influence equipment choices and technique. The season’s length and access to facilities are affected by climate conditions and geographic location.