13 MILLION UK Holidaymakers pick adrenaline-filled trips over relaxing holiday breaks With this week being peak booking time for winter holidays, thousands of Brits will planning to escape the 9-5 grind, not to mention the British grey skies and Brexit boredom. For some holidaymakers, winter is a difficult time of year to travel, especially for those who do not ski.
However, winter breaks are no longer just about skiing or snowboarding or sipping glühwein on the slopes. With the experience economy growing from strength to strength, more than ever adrenaline junkies now have a huge range of extreme sports and activities to choose from. Peer-to-peer travel money provider, WeSwap, has commissioned nationally representative research from a sample of over 2,000 UK adults to reveal how we have now become a nation of adrenaline junkies, searching for excursions and experiences over sunbathing and saunas.
WeSwap has revealed the top five extreme winter activities not to be missed this winter:
Ice Driving
The French ski resort of Val Thorens is home to Europe’s highest ice-driving circuit, at 2,300m. This is guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush, this 760m long circuit is open around 120 days per season, with a separate karting track which is great fun to do as a family and the views are truly jaw-dropping.
Airboarding
Sledging can be an extreme activity in itself on ski resorts, and for those who are keen to take it one step further, airboarding is a great activity to try! Holidaymakers can ride on a high-tech inflatable toboggan and is an easy, fun and cheap activity for those who need a break from their skis.
Ice Climbing
Why not climb up a frozen waterfall? Climbing is a popular sport amongst many, and is supposed to be a great workout for both the mind and the body. This is a great extreme activity to try for adrenaline junkies, and does not even require any previous rock climbing experience.
Ice Diving
Don a dry suit and submerge yourself beneath the ice of a frozen lake in the Alps and explore what lives beneath the layer of the ice. You don’t have to be an experienced diver to take part and in most places you visit, equipment is provided and sometimes you can even dive at night.
Dog sledding
This is a great activity for those with young ones. Having a team of Huskies whisking you sled across a picturesque landscape is something most people have seen in movies and novels. However, dog sledding still attracts a lot of people who are keen on extreme sports, and the huskies are beautiful!
Rob Stross, CMO of WeSwap: “The experience economy is going from strength to strength, and our research shows that this winter, when planning their holidays, British holidaymakers’ main concerns are creating long-lasting memories. It seems that Brits are more focused on taking part in activities beyond the traditional excursions, looking to enhance their experience with ones tailored to preferences like thrill-seeking or wellbeing.
“By allocating more of their holiday budgets to spending money, holidaymakers are sending a message to travel agents and providers alike that they aren’t concerned with luxury stays in all-inclusive resorts. Instead, they are looking for the cheapest providers so that they and their loved ones can have the best experience while there, eating in great restaurants, unique day-trips and memorable experiences.”
