by Lisa Marie Mercer

Created on: October 11, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

For every workout plan, there is a season. So when the weather outside is frightful, who cares? Winter workouts can be delightful! In fact, studies have shown that outdoor winter workouts may be the perfect cure for seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as SAD. Experts believe that this condition is caused by lack of sunlight. Fortunately, there's some sunny news. Not only will winter workouts enhance your mood, they can also prevent winter weight gain. If you're not convinced, let's crunch some numbers.

Snowshoeing

How does 450 calories and hour sound to you? That's the amount of calories an 150 pound person will burn per hour, while snowshoeing on a flat surface. Add hills, and the numbers soar to 515 calories per hours. Poles, powder and running movements can raise the caloric expenditure as high as 860 calories per hour. Experts say that if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Equipment is relatively inexpensive, and it can be performed in you backyard.

Cross Country Skiing

According to cardiologists and other medical experts, cross-country skiing is a low impact form of exercise, which burns more calories than any other sport. Even at a slow pace, cross country, otherwise known as Nordic skiing, can burn 493 calories an hour. A cross country ski racer can burn up to 989 calories per hour. Nordic skiing is also an excellent way to develop balance and coordination. While not as cheap as snowshoeing, cross -country skiing is far less expensive than downhill skiing and snowboarding. If you are new to snowshoeing or Nordic skiing, wintertrails.org sponsors an annual Winter Trails Day in January. These special events feature free lessons and equipment rentals. See the website for dates and locations.

Ski Biking

Ski biking is a relatively new member of the winter fitness party. This unique activity uses a bike-like device, with one important distinction; instead of wheels, it has skis! A number of ski areas are now adding them to their repertoire of snow sport choices. In anticipation of the next obvious question, while riding the lift, the bike can either be held in a vertical position between your knees, or on your lap. A ski-bike has a three-point stance, which combines, the bike, you feet and skis. This, along with a lower center of gravity gives a shorter learning curve than skiing or snowboarding.

If you'd prefer a winter biking activity that's bears more similarity to traditional cycling, consider snow biking. Unlike ski biking, snow biking uses regular, albeit

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