Winter Adventures in Vermont, Colorado, Canada and Beyond

You probably haven't been dog sledding before, but even if you have, it's very unlikely that you've tried skijoring—a sport gaining in popularity among cross-country skiers looking for a new thrill. Don your skis, harness from one to three dogs to you—and off you go! If you have the right breed dog (generally of the large and very furry variety), you can bring your four-pawed friend along and learn the sport together. The outfitter to call for canine-assisted adventures is Eden Dog Sledding, at Eden Mills in northern Vermont, set in 75 acres of virgin wilderness. Its founder is Jim Blair, who holds several regional and national titles in competitive dog sledding and skijoring. This pro and his fellow instructors will teach you how to “mush” with his handsome team of Alaskan huskies. The center operates year round (the sleds have wheels in summer) but of course winter is the best time; single and multi-day lessons are available and there are ski resort-style accommodations for longer stays. Eden's doggies are “free-range,” the staffers are passionate and sledding is serious fun!

Winter dog-sledding tours from about $400.

You don't need to be a passionate skier or snowboarder to enjoy an exhilarating morning or afternoon in the Canadian Rockies thanks to Blackcomb Snowmobiles, which offers group or private tours by snowmobile, dog sled or snowcat. Each tour starts from The Fairmont Chateau Whistler with a bus ride to the base facilities—about 15 minutes south of Whistler—where you're kitted out in warm windjackets and shown how to use the equipment. Then it's out onto wide groomed trails, through snow-laden forests, across frozen lakes and up to high alpine bowls for a fun-filled ride amid some of Whistler's most scenic back country. The tours last two or three hours (the longer tour includes lunch); ideal for all ages.

Cost from $129 per person.

My Telluride insiders say Helitrax is the only heli-skiing operator in Colorado because its standards are so high no-one dares compete with it. This top-notch company offers skiing and snowboarding packages lasting one, three and seven days to the wild and remote San Juan range of the Rocky Mountains, the highest skiable area (13,800 feet) in North America. Group size is limited to four skiers per guide with accommodations in a luxury lodge with natural hot springs. The season runs from mid-January to mid-April with flights available from Telluride, Vail, Crested Butte, Steamboat and Aspen.

Single days from $945 a person.

If you're looking for an unforgettable heli-skiing vacation, Canadian Mountain Holidays knows the region like the back of its hand. Based in Banff, CMH Heli-skiing offers week-long adventures, as well as shorter trips lasting three, four and five days, to 12 of the most spectacular and remote wilderness ski areas in British Columbia, including the Bugaboos, Cariboos and Monashees. While the terrain is true back country, with lots of varying conditions, you don't have to be an experienced skier to take part—CMH guides are expert instructors and guides; rates include rustic but comfortable lodge accommodations, meals and ski gear.

Seven nights from about $5,400

Here's another great winter sport which Snowmobile Vermont offers in three different locations—Killington, Stowe and Okemo. No matter where you start your ride, you'll explore the deeps of the snow-covered backcountry and scoot around winding mountain trails. The tours are open to every age and riders use new Polaris snowmobiles with heated handles. Love that! Children can ride on special kid-size snowmobiles making it a fabulous activity for the whole family. You don't need any experience or equipment; helmets and boots are provided and trained staff teach you how to handle the snowmobiles and then guide you along well-groomed trails. The tours vary from one-hour mountain excursions to two-hour backcountry trips, covering up to 25 miles with stops to enjoy the scenery.

Guided tours from $90 a person.

If you love skiing but hate crowded slopes, Aspen Powder Tours will take you to places where the snow is untouched, the tracks are fresh and the terrain wide open. This terrific day-long adventure starts at 8:15 a.m. at the base of Aspen Mountain for the short gondola ride to the summit where a 12-person snowcat and two guides will be waiting to take you to pristine stashes on the backside of Aspen Mountain, chosen according to daily snow conditions. After a short orientation, you can ski as you please (snowboarders are also welcome) with lunch served in a cozy cabin in the spectacular Elk Mountains.

$350 per person for a full-day tour.

Arguably the best mountain sports equipment store in Vermont, Base Camp Outfitters is also the place to try your hand at the hottest new winter sports sweeping the United States: kite skiing and snowboarding. Owner Mike Miller, who openly admits he's "addicted" to the sport, offers hour-long, one-on-one lessons every Saturday from mid-December to mid-April on the frozen Kent Pond behind the store. He says he can usually have people kiting within 30 minutes. Keep in mind, Mike describes the activity more as kite "sailing" rather than "flying"—your feet don't have to leave the ground if you don't want them to. He supplies equipment, such as harness, kite and so on. You bring the skis, snowboards and the required helmet. “Once you try it, the fear factor is gone and the adrenalin rush is amazing,” he says. You need to be an intermediate skier or snowboarder to try it, but age is not a barrier; the average age of Mike's kiting clients is 35 to 40. “We always under-power people,” he says, “but once you get the hang of it you can really start to move.” It's as much fun to watch as to take part; and if you buy a kite you can practice on the pond all day.

One-hour lessons $100 per person.

Learning to ski can make or break your potential love for the favorite winter-time activity. For people who want to take things more slowly, or need extra reassurance, the Scaredy Cat Ski Programme has been launched by Snowline and VIP chalets in conjunction with the Oxygène ski school; three afternoon sessions designed for skiers who like to take things nice and slow. You'll be put into groups of no more than three people and patient instructors will help you to enjoy a productive week of skiing.

Rates from €145 per person.

If you like fishing and don't mind the cold, you'll love this unusual winter alternative to spin and fly fishing. Located at Stowe, Catamount Fishing Adventures will take you to one of Vermont's most scenic frozen lakes or ponds to learn the ancient sport of ice fishing, from cutting a hole in the surface to hooking the catch of the day. Owner and professional fishing guide Willy Dietrich offers four-hour ice fishing excursions. He brings the equipment, as well as snowshoes and a heated portable shanty you'll thank him for. Trust me, it gets cold in Vermont! He'll school you in the finer points of dropping a line through an 8” hole in the ice to land a plump pike or trout. Ice fishing is essentially for enthusiasts but Catamount tours are open to all levels and abilities.

Rates vary on the number of people in the group: $85 for one person, $130 for two, $150 for three and $200 for four. Fishing licenses are required for anyone over 15 ($15 per day).