Winter outdoor activities in the UK: what you can still book

You can still book plenty of outdoor activities in the UK in winter, from white water rafting in Cardiff and dry slope skiing to winter surf lessons, snow tubing, kitesurfing and mountain biking. With the right kit and a good instructor, the cold becomes part of the fun, and the beaches, rivers and trails are much quieter. Here's what you can book this winter and where to go.

Quick picks

• Cardiff International White Water: white water rafting on Cardiff's man-made course, with family rafting from age 6
• Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre: first-timer ski and snowboard lessons on the dry slope
• Surf Sanctuary, Newquay: private surf lessons at Fistral Beach, all year round
• Get Kiteboarding, Bracklesham Bay: wingsurfing and kitesurfing lessons on the Sussex coast

White water rafting

Rivers and man-made courses don't freeze in a UK winter, so white water rafting carries on through the colder months, and a wetsuit, boots and helmet keep you warm. Cardiff International White Water in Cardiff Bay has the region's only white water rafting course, with rafts for up to six and wetsuits, wetsuit boots, helmets and buoyancy aids included. You need to be 12 or over for standard rafting, while family rafting turns the pumps down a notch so children from 6 can join in. In Nottingham, Holme Pierrepont Canoe Club runs beginner raft racing sessions for over-14s at the National Watersports Centre. Read more in our guide to white water rafting in winter.

Dry slope skiing and snowboarding

The UK's dry slopes run through the winter and are the easiest way to learn before a ski holiday. Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre runs first-timer ski and snowboard lessons with all equipment, including helmets, and lessons go ahead in all weather. Alpine Snowsports Aldershot, near London, has group lessons from age 11, a junior ski club and school holiday ski camps. Torquay Alpine Ski Club runs a Saturday learn to ski in a day course for beginners aged 8 and over, and The Hill in Rossendale has beginner courses and taster sessions in Lancashire.

Winter surfing and coasteering

Winter swells on the UK coast tend to be more consistent and powerful, and you get the beaches almost to yourself. Surf Sanctuary, at the Headland Hotel overlooking Fistral Beach in Newquay, runs private surf lessons all year round with 5mm wetsuits and boards provided, teaching in waist-deep water. It also runs the classic coasteer around the headland, with jumps always optional. If you'd rather surf indoors, the indoor wave at Cardiff International White Water lets you bodyboard or stand-up surf without leaving the city. Our guide to coasteering in autumn and winter has more on cold-water kit.

Kitesurfing and wingsurfing

With a good winter wetsuit, kitesurfing and wingsurfing carry on through the colder months. Get Kiteboarding teaches at Bracklesham Bay near East Wittering, in small groups or privately, and plans every session around the wind and tide. Newcomers to wingsurfing start with the RYA learn to wingsurf intro session, and if you've done a kitesurfing intro you can move on to a two-hour kitesurfing lesson. You'll need to be able to swim 50m.

Donutting and snow tubing

Donutting, or snow tubing, is the easiest thrill on a dry slope: you sit in an inflatable ring and slide to the bottom, and no skills are needed. Alpine Snowsports Aldershot runs donutting for everyone aged 4 and over, The Hill in Rossendale has fun tubing on two slopes with a lift on the smaller one, and Norfolk Snowsports Club and Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre run tubing sessions too. Our guide to where to go donutting in the UK has more.

Mountain biking

Winter changes the UK's mountain biking trails, with quieter routes and, on the high ground, the odd dusting of snow. The Lake District, Fort William and the trails of Eryri (Snowdonia) are popular for winter riding. Closer to London, Paddle Richmond runs a four-hour learn to mountain bike course through Ham Common, Richmond Park and Sheen Woods, with no steep terrain. In North Wales, Llyn Brenig hires out e-bikes for the trails around Brenig and Alwen, for riders over 14.

How to stay warm on a winter adventure

• Book with a provider who supplies the kit. Rafting, surfing and coasteering sessions include wetsuits, and some paddling providers hire out drysuits.
• Wear layers that aren't cotton, and bring a hat, gloves, a towel and a dry change of clothes for afterwards.
• Go in the middle of the day, when it's lightest and warmest, and check the booking page for minimum ages and requirements.
• For cold-water safety advice, see the RNLI, and for snowsports, Snowsport England.

FAQ

What outdoor activities can you do in the UK in winter?

White water rafting, dry slope skiing and snowboarding, donutting and snow tubing, surfing, coasteering, kitesurfing and mountain biking all run through the winter, and you can book them online.

Is it too cold to surf or raft in winter?

Not with the right kit. Providers supply thick wetsuits and boots, sessions keep you moving, and the water itself doesn't freeze. The coldest days can still be uncomfortable, so pick a milder spell if you can.

Where can you ski in the UK without snow?

Dry slopes such as Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre, Alpine Snowsports Aldershot, Torquay Alpine Ski Club and The Hill in Rossendale run lessons and practice sessions all winter, whatever the weather.

Looking for a booking system to help you run your outdoor activities? eola is dedicated to helping instructors and outdoor activity centres share their passion with more people. We reduce your administrative burdens, so you can have more time to spend doing what you love. Find out more at our watersports page.

Looking for more inspiration? Read about white water rafting in winter, learning to ski before your ski holiday and paddleboarding in autumn and winter.

Book your winter adventure

From rafting and dry slope skiing to surf lessons and snow tubing, find your next winter day out and book it online on the eola marketplace.