NEWSWEEK.COM 47
08 Walk on Drift Ice
Hokkaido, Japan
Shiretoko Peninsula, an UN-
ESCO World Heritage site on
Japan’s northernmost island,
offers an unusual adventure:
walking on Sibieran drift ice.
Local ɿsherman/divers will
guide you safely around the
ice and invite you to take a dip
in the icy water as you stay
(relatively) warm in a drysuit.
Watch for spotted seals and
white-tailed eagles as you
listen to the creaking sounds
of ice ʀoes pushing against
each other or the heart-racing,
cracking of ice below your feet.06 Snorkel Between Two
Continents
Silfra, Iceland
If you can handle a little cold
water over a dry suit, you can
drift between North America and
Europe. That’s right; Silfra is the
only place in the world where
you can snorkel or dive between
two tectonic plates in Thingvellir
National Park. And with pure
glacial water, you’ll have unparal-
leled underwater visibility, making
it easy to spot the marine life.07 Go Distance Ice-Skating
Sweden
Long-distance or Nordic ice-skating originated in
Sweden, where the vast number of frozen lakes,
rivers and archipelagos lets you take in the wintery
scenery at your preferred pace for miles and miles.
Carve your own tracks in the wild safely with a Nature
Travels multi-day ice-skating tour with local guides.05 Watch Penguins Amid
Thermal Waters
Deception Island, South
Shetland Islands
To watch penguins waddling
across an Antarctic beach is
reason enough to head to this
active volcano in the South
Shetland archipelago where you
can stop on an Aurora Expedition
cruise, but you can also see
unique relics of the whaling era
from the early 20th-century
whaling station here. Hidden
underneath the black sands are
geothermal waters, so by digging
a hole on the beach, you can warm
your feet for the penguin show.87
Unique Adventures for
Embracing the Cold
Winter might entail dark days and cold weather—at least in some parts of the world—
but for some brave souls, dropping temperatures can also offer invigorating and
unforgettable outdoor adventures. From tracking wolves in Yellowstone to walking
on Siberian drift ice in Japan, or snorkeling between two continents off Iceland, coldweather doesn’t necessarily require staying inside. “There’s no such thing as bad
weather, only bad clothes” is the mantra often recited to entice outdoor enthusiaststo emerge from under their blankets and comfort zones. So thank Mother Nature for
supplying us with these unique experiences around the world that will get your blood
pumping and heart racing, no matter the freezing temps. — Kathleen RellihanUNCHARTED05
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