It is that time of year to think about hitting the slopes and enjoying some powder. Are you a downhill speed freak, or do you prefer weaving between the slalom gates? Compared to other countries, the ski season in New Zealand is relatively short, so you need to make the most of the snow while it is here.
However, if you cannot make it to the slopes, there are plenty of virtual experiences you can enjoy. The great thing about skiing-themed games is that you can play them all year round, unaffected by the weather.
How do you know what is best?
Best is always so subjective, so when looking for recommendations, it is always worth trying to find third-party advice and reviews. It does not matter if you are looking for video games, online slots, shopping for ski equipment or booking a trip; professional review sites are a good place to start looking for ideas on what is good and what is not.
Reviewers should be independent and not get paid money to promote one game or service over another. In an ideal world, they have a criterion against which to rank whatever is being reviewed. This allows the consumer to compare apples with apples. On top of that, it is always worth asking people you trust for their feedback. Finally, it is also worth having a look at peer-review sites as well. That will give you a good idea of what other people think about a product or service.
So, without further ado, here are some winter sports games to get you in the mood for the season.
Steep
Steep is possibly the most realistic skiing game you can find without taking a trip to the mountains. The game transports players to an immense, atmospheric world with awe-inspiring trails in the European Alps. As well as skiing and snowboarding, you can try out a wingsuit and take an adrenalin-fuelled flight.
Steep is a great game as you can test your skills on challenging, lifelike mountain trails. You can play against yourself or compete with others in multiplayer mode. This game is also suitable for absolute beginners; by starting solo, you can master all the tricks before heading out on the challenging slopes, trails and runs.
Arctic Race
If you enjoy the thrill of an online slot game, then Arctic Race could be the game for you. This pokie is based on a dog sleigh race and offers 243 ways to win. The pack of dogs represents the wild symbols. The winning symbols include a dog and sled, a campfire, mountains, a driver and playing cards. The game has arctic scenery and a super cool soundtrack.
As well as matching the symbols, you will come across multipliers, re-spins, free spins, and wild scatters that will boost your chances of winning. The game has an RTP of 95.17% which is pretty good. Ultimately, the house always wins, but you can have fun on this dogsled race with wild scatters and chances to win. You can find unbiased reviews for casinos that offer Artic Race and a myriad of other games online. Review sites can help you to find the best options for your needs when you’re looking for your favourite online games.
Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands
Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands has a magnificently designed open world if you want a skiing sim. You can go on your adventures in multiplayer or solo mode, exploring the whole ski resort and the mountains surrounding it.
This is a laid-back game in which players can learn about skiing at whatever pace they choose. It is as much about enjoying the beauty of nature as it is about racing. If you want a competitive edge, there are racing challenges and more difficult areas of the course. In multiplayer mode, experienced gamers can test their skills against other players.
When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
If you like a puzzle game, you will thoroughly enjoy When Ski Lifts Go Wrong. It is one of the most challenging puzzle games and will take you on a unique skiing adventure. It is a 2D sim with physics-based challenges to test your skills and creativity.
The game takes you on a ride through demanding trails. Along the way, you will be challenged to build contraptions to assist passengers trying to get around in the mountains. In this game, you test your engineering skills and use creativity to solve puzzles. There are some hilariously dangerous terrains you must work out how best to traverse.
Skiing VR
For players who are into VR, Skiing VR takes you to beautiful snowy trails and lets you compete in races. Virtual reality allows players to explore real slopes and racing trails. The controls are very realistic too. This is a fun, first-person gaming which can be tailored to meet the expectations of casual and avid gamers. You can adventure solo and try the multiplayer mode when ready.
Gamers get to explore an atmospheric ski-world simulator, race against friends and family, and find out who is the best VR skier.
Ski Sniper
How hard can it be to hit a moving target? You can find out while playing Ski Sniper. Your task is to shoot down skiers from the perfect sniping spot. The graphics are beautiful, and there are superb mountain views. This game will appeal to people with a dark sense of humour. You will learn to use a wide range of sniper weapons and master shot trajectory, bullet damage and when to deploy X-Ray mode. As you perfect your skills, you will complete challenges and collect rewards.
