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Avoid hibernation this winter by braving the cold winds and taking advantage of the capital's abundance of winter activities. For those brave enough to take to the elements, it's time to pack on the layers and check out some of Beijing's hottest winter pursuits.

Ice hockey

Ice skating aficionados tired of carving circles in a crowded shopping mall skating arena can give the hobby a competitive edge by grabbing a stick and hitting a puck.

With a city history dating back to the 1970s, international hockey teams have been battling it out on Beijing's ice for decades, with the most prominent league being the Beijing International Ice Hockey League.

Sporting international and local appeal, the league is the most competitive platform available for semi-serious players.

For the less competitive player looking to learn the intricacies of the sport, Ice Zone in Shunyi district offers one of the cheapest lessons available in the capital, at 100 yuan per session for beginners.

Ice Zone also holds weekly 3-on-3 friendly hockey tournaments for anyone looking to test their mettle against other beginners.

The sport of curling demands concentration. [Photo/ China Daily]

Curling

Curling was possibly one of the most unappreciated of winter sports until this year, when it saw a massive leap in popularity following the first win by China at an international competition - bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The Scottish-born sport, which involves earning points by tactfully sliding a polished granite stone onto a target on the end of a 45-meter ice lane, demands little stamina and thus is a unique winter activity for children and adults.

Home to two of China's three curling training centers, Beijing is one of the best places in China to slide some stones.

One of the city's oldest curling centers, Zilongxiang, offers free training and equipment rental for anyone willing to pay the 200-yuan monthly membership fee.

For contestants already familiar with the sport or just looking to play a friendly match, the center leases lanes for two hours at 3,000 yuan.

Those looking to train like an Olympian can contact the Beijing Sports Olympic Curling Center in Huairou district to set up training sessions.

Prices run anywhere from 5,500 to 10,000 yuan for a 20-hour-long series of training sessions for groups of 10 people.

Individuals can pay around 1,100 yuan for the same experience. Equipment is included.

Polar plunges

Every winter, thousands of Beijingers gather on the shores of Houhai Lake, standing lemming-like before launching themselves off the banks into the polar waters below in what may be one of the capital's craziest winter activities.

Not for the weak heart, ice swimming has been a tradition among the capital's aging population for more than 40 years.

It's also one of the cheapest winter sports available in the capital, with the only equipment required being a swimsuit and an iron will.

So what inspires hundreds of Beijing's aging population to hurl themselves into freezing lakes during the midst of winter? It's all about the health benefits.

Swimmers brave enough to bear the bone-chilling waters claim the activity helps with a variety of illness including arthritis, rheumatism, depression and even as a preventative measure for the common cold.

Daily dips in the wintry depths usually kick off in early January at the six main lakes located in central Beijing.

Those seeking to satiate their cabin fever can join an online community at bbs.china-ws.org or simply show up to the shores of Houhai Lake on a winter afternoon.

China Daily