Together With

Luge, Snow Kayaking, Ice Bumper Cars and More: 9 Unique Activities to Make Winter More Gnarly

Whether you are looking to try something new or a variation of a sport you already enjoy, there are plenty of options to get outdoors and challenge yourself during the winter. With the proper gear, background knowledge, and safety tips, one of these activities might be what you need to get out of that winter rut. Here are nine sports to try.

Together with Inside Hotels

Hotels We Love: The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives

A truly stunning resort just a short seaplane ride from the island nation’s capital of Malé, The Standard Huruvalhi, Maldives is a dream destination whether you’re looking for a romantic couples’ retreat or fun escape with friends. Even when you’re not swimming in the clear blue lagoon or taking a plunge in the pool attached to your overwater ocean villa, you’re sure to be immersed in the experience, with activities like snorkeling along the resort’s protected house reef readily available. With so many food and beverage venues onsite, it’s almost hard to keep track, but you’ll surely make a point to discover the distinct vibe of each. Fishing, boating, and diving are all on offer, and in classic standard style, there’s always something unexpected happening here as well.

Is Rock Climbing the Best Workout?

When you think of rock climbing you might think of Free Solo and Alex Honnold standing on El Capitan with no ropes in sight, or maybe Tommy Caldwell climbing the Dawn Wall in the news, documenting his difficult team ascent of one of the hardest climbs in the world. Rock climbing inevitably looks hard and looks scary, and many of us may want to keep rock climbing to the indoor scene.

You may want to climb because of its athletic benefits, even if your desire isn’t to suspend yourself thousands of feet in the air on a real rock wall. I’ve been rock climbing for nearly 15 years and I’ve also spent countless hours coaching athletes and writing training plans, and I’m going to outline the answer to this essential question: is rock climbing better than a gym?

Find Something for Every Outdoors Adventurer on Your Holiday List

Whether you’re shopping for the avid hiker, camping enthusiast, or adventure-lover on your list, finding the perfect gift feels like it’s getting tougher. From backpacks to tents to clothing essentials, the gear and apparel options are endless, and so are all the emails and ads. The Outdoors holiday gift guide is designed to navigate through the noise and help you discover new products and find the right item based on your budget.

Our team of writers and editors have broken down gift recommendations into a variety of price points: from gifts under $100 all the way up to higher ticket items above $500 (sometimes way above). From stocking stuffers to high-value items they’ll treasure for years, we’ll highlight some great gear upgrades, multi-functional pieces, and handy tools that will get used all season long. By gift type or price, we hope you’ll find the ideal present for the outdoor enthusiast on your list and inspire someone’s next big adventure.

GIFTS UNDER $100 | GIFTS BETWEEN $100-$250 | GIFTS BETWEEN $250-$500 | GIFTS OVER $500

⛺️ The Packing List

Featured Product: Garmin Tactix 7 Pro Edition

The Garmin Tactix 7 Pro Edition is one of the most powerful pieces of gear we’ve ever used. This burly adventure watch can plot courses with pinpoint accuracy, create flight plans, work with night vision—you name it, the Tactix 7 has you covered. Our writer has used one to navigate the Nevada desert, explore the back streets of Seoul, and track progress crossing Lake Michigan by steamboat. The standard Tactix 7 is a go-anywhere, do-anything workhorse. Springing for the Pro Edition will extend battery life with solar charging and give you the option to add software from Applied Ballistics. The range-topping Tactix 7 AMOLED Edition offers the best screen of the bunch.  

Need Some New Outdoors Gear?

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There are hundreds of top outdoor brands now in stock, and more are being added all the time. Adventurers can now find everything needed for their next quest on Outdoors.com – from great content to how to’s, guides, expert opinions, and gear.

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