Downhill all the way

If you’re bored of heading downhill on two-sticks, but don’t fancy getting to grips with the single board either, there is now another way to get your cold-weather adrenaline rush. And unlike some fancy winter sports, this one won’t cost you a second mortgage (anyone for heli-skiing?)

Thanks to specialist travel operator Baltic Adventures, you can get a different sort of winter adrenaline rush with a ride on Europe’s longest bobsled ride, in the (relatively) unknown winter sports region of the Gauja Valley in Latvia. The valley is about an hour from the stunning capital, Riga—at this time of year it’s hopefully too cold for the stag parties—which allows you to take in some medieval architecture at the same time as limbering up for a serious assault on your senses that a bobsled run entails.

Those seriously in need of skiing thrills can take a short trip along the valley to the ski jump at Valmiera. But if you’d rather stay in Sigulda, the bobsled ride is only part of the fun to be had. As well as hurtling down an ice pipe on a tray (well that’s pretty much what you’re doing) you can also get to enjoy a so-called “body flight”—think sky diving without the need for a plane—in the Aerodium wind tunnel.
Departing on the 9 March 2007, the total price for a weekend package, including flights, is £245.