A winter adventure shouldn't be confined to riding a chair lift and skiing down a perfectly groomed hill. B.C. is full of backcountry recreational opportunities that can improve your health and help you avoid the rat race. We've compiled a list of five activities that will take you off the beaten path.

Cross-country skiing
The health benefits of cross-country skiing are hard to match. The classical form, using a gliding technique, resembles running and works well in the forest. On wider, groomed trails, some prefer skating on skis. This approach involves pushing off like a hockey player trying to accelerate on ice. There are lots of options in B.C. The Cariboo Chilcotin, the Thompson Okanagan, and Manning Provincial Park all offer outstanding cross-country trails. Wells Gray Adventures offers hut-to-hut cross-country skiing, stopping at three backcountry cabins in Wells Gray Provincial Park, which is east of Williams Lake. The Murtle River Nordics is a nonprofit society that focuses on providing high-quality cross-country trails in the park. The Sovereign Lake Nordic Club in Silver Star Provincial Park near Vernon also offers exceptional cross-country skiing. For more information on cross-country skiing, see the Tourism B.C. Web site.

Dogsledding
This winter activity is gaining popularity in B.C., and not because Sarah Palin's husband, Todd, achieved fame for dogsled-racing in Alaska. First off, dogsledding is nonpolluting. It also puts you in touch with nature. Backcountry Adventures includes a full day of dogsledding in Wells Gray Provincial Park as part of an adventure-medley package that it calls the Canadian Classic. The first day offers dinner at the Helmcken Falls Lodge, followed by a day of snowshoeing and sightseeing. Then there's a full day of snowmobiling, followed by a day of dogsledding. Clearwater-based Alaskan Husky Adventures offers day trips and three-day snowshoeing and dogsledding excursions into the park, which is one of B.C.'s most spectacular tourist destinations. Nakitsilik Outdoor Adventures and Dogsledding, based in Bridge Lake, relies on huskies for its tours in the Interlake region in the Cariboo. Cold Creek Kennel in Golden, Windigo Sled Dog Adventures in Parson, Adrenaline Dog Tours in Kimberley, and Dogsled Lessons and Tours in Fernie are other options. For national listings of companies that offer dogsledding, see www.dogsledrides.com/canada.php/.

Logan Lake Polar Carnival
The 36th annual family-friendly Polar Carnival runs from January 11 to 18 in Logan Lake, a town of 2,300 about 60 kilometres south of Kamloops along the Coquihalla Highway. The first day kicks off with the polar-thon, which is a winter twist on a triathlon. Instead of swimming, cycling, and running, athletes skate three kilometres around the lake, run 2.5 kilometres, ski four kilometres, and run another 2.5 kilometres. The carnival also includes a popular pond-hockey tournament. Logan Lake tourism manager Bernice Molyneux told the Georgia Straight there will be 30 teams in this year's competition, including "vintage" squads. Each team puts four members on the ice and keeps one in reserve, and they play without goaltenders.

Snowmobiling
The B.C. Snowmobile Federation lists more than 50 clubs in 12 regions across the province. Between January and March, clubs in more than 35 communities host Snowaramas, which are fundraising events for the Lions Society. There are barbecues, children's games, and opportunities for novice snowmobilers to learn how to ride, all for a very good cause: helping children with disabilities. Since 1978, B.C. snowmobilers have raised more than $3.8 million through these events. According to the federation, B.C. snowmobilers raise the most funds per capita in Canada, despite the lack of snow in some heavily populated areas. In the SnoRiders Rider's Choice Awards, Sicamous, in the Thompson Okanagan area, won platinum prizes as the favourite overall snowmobiling area, favourite scenic snowmobiling area, favourite groomed snowmobiling area, and most challenging riding area. Other prizewinning locations in B.C. included Revelstoke, McBride, Elk Valley, Valemount, Radium, and Golden.

Snowshoeing
Most winter resorts offer snowshoeing excursions. According to Tourism B.C., it's one of North America's fastest-growing winter sports. On the North Shore, Cypress Mountain has a 10-kilometre network of trails offering spectacular views of the city. Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Vancouver Island has a 20-kilometre trail network that earned it a "best snowshoeing" designation from Ski Canada magazine. The Callaghan Valley near Whistler is another popular snowshoeing destination. Keep in mind that some cross-country trails don't allow snowshoers because they ruin groomed paths. On some trails, there are fees for snowshoers.