When you think of winter, fatty holiday baked goods, caloric drinks, indoor activities, and baggy sweaters may come to mind. All of these things can lead to weight gain by the time summer comes around. This winter, though, think winter sports instead! There are tons of ways to get outside and enjoy the winter season while having fun and contributing to your health. You will be pleasantly surprised at just how many calories you can burn and what an excellent form of exercise winter sports can be. The best part is that winter sports are a fun way to spend time with friends, try something new, and get a workout without even realizing just how many calories you are burning. Keep in mind that the following calorie counts are for just ONE hour. Chances are you will be spending more time than that in the snow, so the calories burned will add up! Plus, through the Wooden Center you can sign up for ski and even snowshoeing trips. Check out www.recreation.ucla.edu for more information. Also note that these calorie counts are for a 150-lb female.
Skiing- 594 calories- Downhill skiing is an excellent workout for your butt, abs, and thighs.
Snowboarding- 594 calories- Interestingly enough, downhill skiing and snowboarding burn about the same amount of calories!
Cross-Country Skiing- 773 calories- If you are tired of downhill skiing try cross-country skiing and burn an extra 179 calories per hour!
Ice Skating- 342 calories- As long as you can stay balanced, it’s a fun workout and activity to do with friends!
Building A Snowman- 272 calories- Have fun and focus on accessorizing instead of exercising!
Snowshoeing- 600 calories-Try something new and burn over 500 calories per hour.
http://www.fitsugar.com/Calories-Burned-Popular-Winter-Sports-842892
http://www.loseweightinweek.com/burn-calories-fast.html
http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/which-winter-sports-burn-most-calories
http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/02/calories-burned-in-the-most-popular-winter-sports/