As the weather gets colder, winter sports begin. Many people are interested in winter sports with its combination of athleticism, precision, and extreme conditions in nature. From skiing and snowboarding to ice hockey and figure skating, winter sports offer a mix of speed, skill, and risk. With winter’s cold weather and shorter days, this provides ideal conditions for these sports.

Winter sports are typically sports played on ice or in other cold areas during winter. However artificial ice can also be used to create an ice rink for ice skating, ice hockey, ringette, broomball, bandy, and other sports that must be played on ice.

Skiing and snowboarding, which might be the most known or recognizable of winter sports has evolved from basic transportation and hunting into being enjoyed by people around the world. In Alpine skiing, athletes ski downhill, with maximum speed, turns, and vertical drops, to reach the finish line.

On the other hand, ice hockey and figure skating use more teamwork and strategy. Ice hockey is one of the most physically demanding sports. Players must demonstrate speed and skill, along with being able to withstand intense physical contact. Ice hockey is also known for fights in the middle of games. Meanwhile, figure skating requires grace, technique, and discipline. It consists of jumps, spins, and other tricks. Figure skaters must have balance, agility, coordination, flexibility, and speed.

A freshman at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Sabrina Preciado, says, “I enjoy ice skating as a winter sport because it’s a fun time to hang out with friends and enjoy the winter. It’s always a good time even if I mess up or fall, and it’s fun to try and keep yourself still while watching your friends fall.”

Melody Tsao, a freshman at Eleanor Roosevelt High School states, “My favorite winter sport is ice skating because I love skating during the winter with friends and gliding on ice.”