( CNN ) Yeah , yeah , we know that hot cocoa 's great ( hello , brandy hot chocolate is a thing ) , but winter is the only season when you can jump around in snow like a little kid and not look like a drunken fool . Turn off the `` Law & Order '' reruns , put on your marshmallowy-est puffy jacket , and go outside ! Here are our six recommendations for snowy competitions to watch or compete in , if you 're brave enough to try . Autonomous Snowplow Competition , Minnesota ( January 22-25 ) Shaping and carving snow is one thing , but actually dealing with the thick blankets covering the ground is an art in and of itself . At the fifth annual ION Autonomous Snowplow Competition in St. Paul , Minnesota , the event coordinators have cleverly made a competition that is actually exciting and entertaining out of just cleaning up snow . Competitors -- often college students -- design , develop and build their own snowplows . And if that is n't impressive enough , the machines must be controlled electronically during the competition . Each snowplow navigates a course and clears a designated path in the snow . Visitors can watch in awe ( and maybe with just a teensy bit of jealousy ) as the teams are judged on their creations ' designs , presentations and performances . Cannington Dog Sled Races , Canada ( January 24-25 ) The Cannington Dog Sled Races are the perfect event for any snow lover or dog lover . If you prefer to keep the beasts at a safe distance , you can appreciate their power and agility while watching them speed through the snow . If giving plenty of cuddles and kisses is more your speed , head over to the petting zoo for a more personal experience . The Ontario race is open to everyone : professional racers , kids and teams with mixed breed dogs . If this show of speed and control still does n't impress you , watch the skijoring races , where people must not only balance on skis but be simultaneously pulled across the snow by dogs . It 's very impressive to those of us who ca n't even manage to get the knack of `` normal '' skiing . U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition , Wisconsin ( January 26-31 ) If you see a blank sheet of snow as merely fodder for a massive snowball fight , the 2015 U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva , Wisconsin , will blow your mind . At this prestigious event , artists showcase their ability to tame blocks of snow into stunning masterpieces . They work with ladders and scaffolds to gently carve and smooth their blocks until the image within shines through . The single-block sculptures are larger than life , often standing even taller than the artist , but they must fit within a 12-foot circle . These sculptors are the best of the best . The winners of each state competition come to Lake Geneva to vie for the winning title . The winner also receives an invitation to compete in the Association International de Sculpture sur Neige et Glace-sanctioned Snow Sculpting Competition . Alpine World Ski Championships , Colorado ( February 2-15 ) If you 're one of those Winter Olympics fans who has to catch each mogul and every exhilarating run down the slopes , just imagine how incredible it would be to watch it all in person . At the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships , you will be able to admire every snowflake and gasp along with the crowd -- and every devastating wipeout -- as the world 's most talented skiers navigate the slopes . Even if skiing is n't really your thing , the town of Vail will be the perfect winter wonderland during early February . Musical phenoms Michael Franti & Spearhead , Phillip Phillips and American Authors will all be performing during the championships . Spend your free moments sampling Sierra Nevada beers at the Winter Beer Camp or checking out the International Experience Celebration , where each new day brings a whole new spread of international food and drinks . U.S. National Toboggan Championships , Maine ( February 6-8 ) At the U.S. National Toboggan Championships , the competitive tobogganing is a far cry from what most of us did sliding down our driveways on old cardboard boxes . Here , the competition is fierce , and many of the sleek toboggans are handcrafted to ensure the fastest runs possible . Although watching other people whiz down steep hills on small wooden planks is certainly entertainment enough , the town of Camden is offering a bevy of other kinds of entertainment during the weekend of the championship . Test your culinary prowess at the Chili Challenge , show your creative talents during the Costume Contest parade , and snuggle around the bonfire . For older guests , the 2nd Eva Down the Chute Beer & Wine Tasting is the perfect way to mix the magic of snow and the magic of alcohol . Taste a cornucopia of beers and wines , and vote for your favorite brewer as the alcohol keeps you from feeling the snow 's frosty bite . World Wheelchair Curling Championship , Finland ( February 6-13 ) Perhaps you 've watched curling teams compete in the Winter Olympics and thought to yourself , `` Really ? That 's a sport ? '' But just add a wheelchair into the equation , and the whole thing gets infinitely more impressive and more captivating . At the World Wheelchair Curling Championship in Finland , that 's just what you 'll see . Only one new rule sets the wheelchair athletes apart from the traditional curling competitors : no sweeping . Besides that , every skill and strategy is the same .
Winter weather should n't keep you from competing out of doors . Comment: This tobogganing is more than sliding down your driveway on a cardboard box .