While the winter months bring frigid temperatures, early sunsets and melancholy nights, they also present a new throng of sexy athletes who are determined to succeed. Whether they are somewhat-obstructed by a wool hat and and fleece face mask or distracted by a heavy down jacket, these beauties seemingly have to battle a bit harder for media attention. Their appeal goes beyond aesthetics - this hotness revolves around a unique winter swagger.

Here are the hottest winter sports babes. Enjoy.

30. Hanna Teter

One of the four American athletes chosen for the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, snowboarder Hanna Teter does more than dominate the slopes.

While she won the gold medal in half-pipe at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and has six career World Cup victories, Teter is applauded more for her sexy chair lift rides and breathtaking poses than her athletic accolades.

29. Tina Maze

While this Slovenian alpine ski racer is clearly revered for her talent as the current world champion in giant slalom, it's her beauty that will lead her to immortality.

Not only does she have 11 World Cup victories, but she was awarded the title of the best Slovenian female athlete of the year in 2005 and 2010.

28. Therese Johaug

This Norwegian cross-country skier's seemingly-calm nature perfectly compliments the treacherous terrain involved in her craft.

Therese Johaug may have competed for the clubs Tynset IF and IL Nansen, but it's her ability to warm the crowd that truly has fans searching for tickets to her races.

27. Noelle Pikus-Pace

While she has yet to approach a modeling endeavor, American skeleton racer Noelle Pikus-Pace clearly has the iconic smile and vivacious nature to pull it off.

However, with three career medals (one gold and two silvers) at the FIBT World Championships, she doesn't have to worry about a second income.

26. Aliona Savchenko

This German-Ukrainian pair skater is not only a three-time world champion and the 2010 Olympic bronze medalist, but she (with partner Robin Szolkowy) is remembered for scoring the first ever 10.0 under the ISU Judging System.

Her sensuality on the ice is relentless, her form impeccable, her beauty undeniable.

25. Shelly Rudman

This British Olympic athlete seems to dominate every stage.

While she won a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in skeleton, it's her presence on camera that truly inspires fans.

24. Maria Hoefl-Riesch

While this champion alpine ski racer won gold medals in slalom and super combined at the 2010 Winter Olympics and won the World Cup overall title in 2011, Maria Hoefl-Riesch is perhaps better recognized for her sexuality and adventurous nature.

Her 5'11" stature may intimidate her opponents, but it only enhances her beauty.

23. Melissa Hollingsworth

This Canadian athlete won the bronze medal in the women's skeleton event at the 2006 Winter Olympics, but continues to excite the crowd with her innocent aura.

While she participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics, finishing fifth, Melissa Hollingsworth is perhaps more adored for her second-grade teacher hotness.

Her name fits the bill.

22. Gretchen Bleiler

This half-pipe snowboarder clearly understands that she must counter the heavy attire to optimize her sexiness.

With a festive grin and a seemingly-careless aura, Gretchen Bleiler is a dual threat.

Her photo shoots for FHM and Maxim are just as prolific as her ability in the snow.

21. Julia Mancuso

Don't let the innocent stare fool you, Julia Mancuso is fearless on the slopes.

This alpine ski racer may be known as the gold medalist in the giant slalom at the 2006 Winter Olympics, but it's her sexy aura that attracts the rest of the sports world.

Her three Olympic medals (most ever for a female American alpine skier) were a stellar resume builder.

20. Bree Schaaf

This American skeleton racer competed from 2002 to 2007 and seemed fairly happy with the opportunity.

Perhaps she wasn't that pleased, however, with her best Skeleton World Cup finish being No. 6 in 2006 considering she switched to bobsleigh in 2007.

As long as she's still smiling.

19. Sasha Cohen

While this figure skater is an Olympic silver medalist (2006) and a three-time World Championship medalist, her affinity for the uncomfortable position is what attracts the camera.

Like the title of her autobiography, Cohen is undeniably close to becoming Fire on Ice.

18. Elene Gedevanishvili

This Georgian figure skater may be known for becoming the first skater from Georgia (sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia) to medal at an ISU Championships.

The reality of this picture is just as pleasantly-surprising as her beauty.

17. Alexandra Jekova

While this Bulgarian snowboarder is remembered for making the Final at WX 2010, Alexandra Jekova seemingly wants to start a career in modeling.

photo © Yana Blajeva

photo © Alex Jekova

photo © Alex Jekova

photo © SKI.BG

photo © SKI.BG

Her poses are far from stoic and reeking of craziness.

16. Molly Aguirre

While this U.S. Snowboarding team member is revered for becoming the first female snowboarder to complete a backside 900 in competition, she is applauded for being the only athlete on this list to complete an upside-down pose.

Either her balance is undeniable or gravity is absent.

15. Kimiko Zakreski

While pronouncing her name may be a daunting task, looking at her pictures surely isn't.

She may be revered for her second-place finish at the 2008-09 FIS Snowboard World Cup tour, but it's her mysterious stare that has fans begging for more.

14. Linn Haug

This Norwegian snowboarder seemingly wants to soak up the moment, considering she only recently started competing professionally.

While she's been riding since her days as an excited youth, Linn Haug only began competing at 15 years old.

A career on camera seems just as likely as an improvement in her technique.

13. Chemmy Alcott

As the current female British No. 1 alpine ski racer, competing in all five disciplines, Chemmy Alcott naturally expects attention.

While she's also competed in three Winter Olympic Games and six FIS World Championships, this athlete's sexy nature reigns supreme.

12. Anni Friesinger-Postma

This German speed skater may feign ignorance, but her unique ink reeks of a wild side.

With Anni Friesinger-Postma's entire family featuring speed skaters, it's easy to see how she chose her career.

Her stellar ability on camera, however, may not have been a genetic inheritance.

11. Claudia Toth

Known as the Austrian national curling team's skip, Claudia Toth must be respected for once rejecting an offer to pose for the German issue of Playboy.

However, after playing two European Championships (2004 and 2005) and skipping her team to No. 11 and No. 9 finishes respectively, Toth must've had a change of heart.

She posed nude in a 2005 calender to endorse the intriguing sport of women's curling.

10. Allison Baver

While this American short-track speed skater clearly remembers the 2005-06 season during which she was ranked third overall in the World Rankings, it's her nickname that likely makes her smile the most.

Not only did a photo of Allison Baver's muscular posterior showed up in the October 2011 issue of ESPN The Magazine, but she stated that she is known as "Triple B" (Big Booty Baver).

9. Clair Bidez

While this professional snowboarder is known for her half-pipe abilities, it was her appearance in the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue that garnered her the most attention.

Sponsored by Nikita, Giro and US Snowboarding, Clair Bidez is seemingly moments away from an illustrious position in the sports world.

8. Lacy Schnoor

Considering this freestyle skier's best World Cup was an eighth-place finish in 2007, it's safe to say she's more recognized for her beauty than her skills.

However, Lacy Schnoor did qualify for the 2010 Winter Olympics, eventually placing ninth at the Women's Aerials event.

7. Magdalena Neuner

This German biathlete is not only a two-time Olympic gold medalist, but she became the youngest Overall World Cup winner in IBU history at 21 years old.

Her 24 World Cup wins may be impressive, but it's her sensual nature that demands the most attention.

6. Lindsey Vonn

While fans are undeniably impressed with American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn's three consecutive overall World Cup and downhill championships from 2008 to 2010, it's her beauty that has them gasping for air.

Her alleged divorce has only increased her eager following.

5. Kiira Korpi

This sexy Finnish figure skater may be a two-time Finnish National Champion (2009, 2011), but she's undoubtedly most recognized for her natural beauty.

Like Uma Thurman's Poison Ivy, Kiira Korpi seems to have a sexy edge to her.

4. Kristi Leskinen

While this American freestyle skier is known as the first woman ever to pull a rodeo 720, her appearance on the cover of Powder magazine's Photo Annual in 2004 garnered her the most significant worldwide acclaim.

Being ranked No. 90 on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women of 2005 didn't hurt her reputation either.

3. Tanith Belbin

This Canadian-American ice dancer undoubtedly makes magic happen every time she touches the ice.

Tanith Belbin (with partner Benjamin Agosto) is an Olympic silver medalist (2006), four-time World medalist and a five-time U.S. champion.

She continues to win over the eager eyes of fans with every naturally-sexy picture.

2. Anna Semenovich

This Russian competitive ice dancer may have been forced to retire due to injury, but she's still electrifying crowds with her jaw-dropping poses and interesting voice.

With the ability to excite the camera like this, Anna Semenovich will never be without opportunities.

1. Sarah Burke

There's nothing sexier than a women who can simultaneously spin a 540 in the pipe while exerting several back flips with ease.

Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke may be known in the sports world for winning the first world championship half-pipe event ever, as well as being a four-time Winter X Games gold medalist, but it's her beauty that has made her immortal.

By Zack Pumerantz (Featured Columnist)
BleacherReport.com
December 2, 2011

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