It might be winter – but that’s no excuse to hunker down on the sofa and hibernate! Here’s our pick of some of the best adrenaline-boosting winter activities to get your blood pumping.

This year, Britain was voted the best place for adrenaline activities in a poll of 2,000 thrill-seekers by the Discovery Channel’s No Limits programme* with three UK experiences making the top ten. These included Europe’s longest and fastest zip wire in Snowdonia, and off-roading and rally-driving in Scotland.

So it’s no wonder adrenaline activities are more popular than ever in the UK, according to Tim Burghes, adrenaline sports buyer at Virgin Experience. He said: “We’ve seen a marked increase in demand for adrenaline fuelled experiences over recent years – this year was almost 20% up on last year – and it’s a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. We’re leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles which could be the reason people are itching to step out of the daily routine, take on new challenges and do something different.”

Alongside a thirst for new highs, people may be also choosing experiences over material things because let’s face it, we all love to talk about our experiences – the more adrenaline fuelled the better.

The popularity of obstacle races is also on the rise. Spartan Races take place all over the world and range from three miles and around 15 obstacles to 12 miles and 25 obstacles. Similarly, 10 to 12 mile long Tough Mudder races designed by the British Special Forces can include delights such as plunging into ice-cold water and crossing a mud field while avoiding the live electric wires hanging above.

Winter sports resorts are also brilliant venues for extreme winter activities that go beyond the usual skiing and snowboarding. New activities in French Alpine resorts this season include mountain biking on snow in Montchavin, giant zip wires which whizz along at up to 100 mph in Châtel and La Plagne and Yukigassen (Japanese-style organised snowball fights) in Avoriaz.

There’s plenty out there to suit all tastes and fitness levels. What are you waiting for?

*Research by  Discovery Channel No Limits http://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/590218/Adrenaline-junkie-Britain-best-place-thrill-seekers-extreme-sports