Cold weather, frozen lakes and piles of snow have all conspired to birth a range of sports unique to winter weather. In fact, the world of winter recreation has grown so populated — and competitive — that winter sports have now been broken out into their own Olympic Games, taking place two years after every Summer Games.

That’s led to an explosion of popularity for once-unknown winter sports like short-track speed skating, curling and skeleton. Unfortunately, not every winter sport has a globally broadcast stage to present itself to the masses. Some winter sports may have ardent followings in certain pockets of the world while remaining unknown to the majority of the global population.

But avid travelers have stumbled upon some of these sports traditions in the past, and if you’re stopping through in your travels, you might be tempted to partake on your own and see what all the fuss is about. There’s no reason not to, as long as you’ve taken out a travel insurance plan to cover your medical bills if that wok slips out from underneath you. Confused? Let us explain.

Wok racing

Rare is the sport that has fused a traditional sporting event — in this case, bobsledding — with a cooking tool unique to certain cultural cuisines. But to your likely surprise, wok racing is catching on in many parts of central Europe. A traditional bobsled track is used as the riding course, and specially modified cooking woks are the seat for riders that barrel down these ice runways at speeds approaching 55 miles an hour. Although jokesters and tourists are common participants in this sport, it has attracted some offseason Olympians who want to try their hand at the unconventional contest.

Paraskiing

If you’ve ever seen water skiers being pulled along across the water by a parachute, this sport will ring a bell. Paraskiing is a similar setup, using a specially designed parachute to pull you along snowy slopes — and even flat, snow-topped terrain. The parachutes aren’t large enough to carry you away unless winds get really gusty, but you can get a pretty decent speed going behind one of them and enjoy the sights as you fly by.

Aerial skiing

Aerial skiing is for daredevils and anyone who likes to test their own limits. Popularized by the Winter Olympics, this sport sends skiers off a jump and up to six meters into the air, where they spin, twist and flip to perform some of the most jaw-dropping stunts the mind can conceive. It’s no sport for someone who’s never slipped on a pair of skis, but it’s a thrill for any spectator.

Shovel racing

Not something you’ve likely seen in action, shovel racing isn’t just something kids do when they’re clearing the driveway. It’s a sport enjoyed competitively in some parts of the United States and features riders who sit in the scoop part of a shovel and race downhill at speeds exceeding 70 miles an hour. Shovel racing was actually part of the Winter X Games for a period of time, but it was later removed due to significant safety risks involved in the sport.

Even if you only plan to watch from the sidelines, these sports are well worth checking out. Find the crowds that follow these sports and you’ll also find passionate, if modest, fan bases that make the experience one to remember. Just practice safety and avoid biting off more than you can chew — you could end up with a mouthful of snow, and that’s if you’re lucky.