If you’re looking to step outside the conventional hiking trails, biking trails and ski resorts, this guide gives you a fresh take on some off-the-beaten path outdoor pursuits.

From gliding down scenic trails on inline skates to skiing behind a horse at high speeds in skijoring competitions, here are four unique outdoor activities to try, observe or add to your bucket list.

Inline Skating

Inline skating, also known as rollerblading, may not be as trendy as it once was, but it still has a following and it’s a fun way to explore outside. And there are a lot of inline skating trails across the U.S. to explore. Though the sport had a whopping 32 million participants back in 1998, research from 2017 noted there are still about 5.3 million people who regularly enjoy it.

“Inline skating is still popular because it’s simply fun,” said Allen Wright, founder of Zephyr Adventures. “Skaters love flying down trails with a rhythmic cadence, getting their heart rate up without feeling like they’re working out.”

Zephyr Adventures is just one tour company that offers inline skating tours around the world, including destinations in Florida, Iowa, Alaska and Germany.

In my home state of Montana, the Bitterroot Trail between Missoula and Hamilton is a popular trail for inline skating. The paved 50-mile trail runs parallel to U.S. 93. It gives you a smooth surface (ideal for skaters of all levels), and you’ll have views of the Bitterroot Mountains on one side and rolling hills on the other.

TrailLink is a good resource for finding inline skating routes in your area. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned skater, these trails provide picturesque views, gentle inclines, and plenty of space to enjoy the ride.

Inline skating also gives you improved cardiovascular fitness, enhanced balance and coordination, and it’s a great way to enjoy fresh air while getting a full-body workout.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll need to invest in some essential gear to get started, like a basic pair of inline skates, a bicycle helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards. It’s also a good idea to wear long socks and keep a skate multi-tool handy in case you need to adjust your skates on the trail.

Skijoring

If you’ve never heard of skijoring, it’s a unique winter sport where a horse and rider pull a skier across a snowy course — blending elements of skiing and equestrian riding. For those interested, it’s recommend that people first become spectators to understand the dynamics of the sport.

Skijoring clubs and events often offer beginner workshops and training sessions, making it easier to learn the ropes under expert guidance. For example, one well-known skijoring club in Montana is the Gallatin Valley Skijoring Club. Their staff provide resources for beginners.

Beyond Montana, skijoring is also popular in states like Colorado and Wyoming, where winter sports thrive and ample snowy landscapes make for ideal conditions. While it may not be an outdoor activity you can jump into without preparation, it’s super fun to watch.

According to the Montana tourism team, some of the best skijoring events to attend include the Red Lodge Skijoring event in March, Big Sky Skijoring and Big Hole Valley Skijoring events in February and the Whitefish Skijoring team hosts events throughout the year.

These events draw large crowds. Imagine watching skiers race at high speeds while being towed by galloping horses against a backdrop of mountain winter landscapes.

If you’re interested in attending a skijoring event in Montana, Colorado or Montana, plan ahead and check local listings for event details. You can find a list of U.S. and Canada Skijoring events on the SKIJOR USA website.

If you’re eager to participate in the sport of skijoring yourself, you’ll need expert coaching sessions, proper skiing skills, a well-trained horse, a harness setup designed for safety, a teammate to ride the horse and, of course … snow.

Disc Golf

Disc golf is a rapidly growing sport that combines elements of traditional golf with plastic flying discs. According to UDisc, there are more than 10,000 disc golf courses in the United States, with 5,011 of them featuring 18 or more holes. This extensive network of courses reflects the sport’s growing popularity and accessibility across the country.

To play disc golf, you throw a flying disc (similar to a Frisbee) toward a series of metal baskets, aiming to complete each hole in the fewest throws possible — a lot like traditional golf. Then you hike to the basket and continue moving on. You start at a “tee pad” and use different types of discs for various distances and techniques.

You use a driver for long throws, a mid-range for medium distances and a putter for short, precise shots. The basic rules are simple: The player with the lowest total score (based on number of throws and penalty strokes) at the end of the course wins.

To get started in disc golf, you need a set of discs, which typically includes a driver, mid-range, and putter disc. You can typically find beginner sets for around $20 to $40. You’ll also need comfortable outdoor clothing, sturdy shoes to navigate different terrains and access to a disc golf course.

The UDisc app will help you find disc golf courses near you, no matter whether you’re a competitive player or just looking for a fun day out with friends as a beginner.

If you’re looking for scenic disc golf courses, you’ll find several on the app, like the Brewster Ridge Disc Golf Course in Jeffersonville, Vermont — part of the Smugglers’ Notch Resort.

Montana’s disc golf scene is also worth exploring. The Makoshika State Park Disc Golf Course in eastern Montana gives you an incredible backdrop of badlands, creating a surreal playing experience. A local favorite near Missoula, Montana, is the Blue Mountain Disc Golf Course known for its challenging terrain and mountain views.

Dog Sledding

Dog sledding is not only a bucket-list activity but also a window into a centuries-old tradition. And you don’t need to head all the way to Alaska to experience it. Maine, Minnesota and Montana are all popular dog sledding destinations.

To get into dog sledding, you can start by joining guided tours or attending dog sledding events to learn the basics from experienced mushers. Many guides, like Mark Schurke with Basecamp Bigfork in Montana, offer hands-on experiences where participants can help harness the dogs and learn about sled control. With Schurke, you can even mush the dogs yourself while being guided on cross-country skis.

In Minnesota, a great place to experience dog sledding is at the Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters, located near the Canadian border. In Maine, the New England Dog Sledding Company gives you an unforgettable adventure with guided tours through the scenic wilderness of the White Mountains region, providing a perfect blend of excitement and natural beauty.

Connie Sperry, founder of Spirit of the North in Big Sky, Montana, said, “People love to watch and be part of the excitement of these dogs doing what they love to do.”

Jeff Ulsamer, owner of Dog Sled Adventures in Northwest Montana, added, “It’s great fun and an adventurous activity. The trails are always different, and you never know what wildlife you might encounter.”

If you’re interested in deeper involvement, training with a local dog sledding club or kennel is a great way to gain practical experience and build skills over time.

For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, resorts like The Resort at Paws Up in Montana offer luxurious dog sledding excursions, complete with complimentary winter gear and cozy blankets. As Steven Wilson, owner of Kayak Kennels, put it, “It’s about getting outside into nature and simply enjoying the astounding beauty of Montana with a team of incredibly enthusiastic pups.”

So whether you’re gliding on inline skates along scenic trails, marveling at skijoring races, tossing discs in picturesque areas or racing through snowy landscapes behind a team sled dogs, these off-the-beaten-path adventures provide an opportunity to experience the state’s diverse landscapes and vibrant outdoor culture in a truly unique way.

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Suzanne Downing is an outdoor writer and photographer in Montana with an environmental science journalism background. Her work can be found in Outdoors Unlimited, Bugle Magazine, Missoulian, Byline Magazine, Communique, MTPR online, UM Native News, National Wildlife Federation campaigns and more.