Canada

BADWATER 135, CALIFORNIA USA
Traditionally referred to as 'the world's toughest foot race', Badwater was forced to alter its traditional route through Death Valley in 2013.  The Death Valley Park authorities placed a ban on strenuous events taking place during the summer months, when air temperatures (in the shade) reach over 48 degrees.  So organisers came up with an alternative route, one with more than 5,200m of cumulative vertical ascent (compared to 3,962 in the previous route), and 3,900m of cumulative descent (compared to 1,433m).  While temperature might not reach the sizzling heights of Death Valley (ultra-runner Dean Karnazes once reported that between his team car handing him a cheese sandwich and him eating it, said sandwich became a toastie), the world's toughest foot race just got tougher.

Race facts: The race takes place in July; 135miles(217km); Maximum 48 hours, there is an entry fee.

The Canadian Rockies are on everyone's Bucket List.  The magnificent mountains, crystal-clear lakes, unspoilt national parks, cowboy countryside, vast blue skies and wonderful wildlife make a visit to Alberta the adventure of a lifetime.  Try amazing experiences that you'll remember forever, like canyon walking horseback riding in the truly 'great' outdoors.

The adventure doesn't stop there, there is white-water rafting, rock climbling, fishing in the streams and rivers, kayaking across Lake Louise or mountain biking and hiking in the spectacular Banff National Park.

Each winter skiers and snowboarders are faced the options of deciding which ski resort to go, where they will have a good time and guarantee snow.  We have found eight destinations in Europe and America that will give you a winter break to remember. The is the slow, busy, traditional, modern and old depending on your taste and how you want to spend your winter break.

HOTEL FARINET, VERBIER SWITZERLAND
Despite its exclusive reputation and sky-high prices, Verbier is still one of Switzerland’s most animated resorts.  Although it will never be cheap, these days it’s no longer all about paying 200CHF for bottles of vodka in over-rated nightclubs.  The main après-ski focus is at Hotel Farinent in a prime location close to the lifts.

FREESTYLE SNOWBOARDING CAMP WHISTLER, CANADA
If you want to ramp up your tricks and nail some extreme moves in one week, Core Snowboard Camps in Whistler are a pretty slick bet.  The Nintendo Terrain Park offers six parks of different levels, a superpipe and a snowcross track, and if that tops, hip jumps, spines, rails and fun boxes are your bag, Core's pro snowboarder coaches will show you the ropes. Groups are no bigger than four, and instructors use video analysis - as well as a degree of good-natured ribbing to show you the way.

VAL THORENS, FRANCE
At 2,300m Val Thorens is the hightest resort in Europe (slopes 1,260m-3,230m) – and with 99 percent of its ski area above 2,000m, the white stuff is guaranteed.  It’s part of the vast 600km Three Valleys area, but Val Thorens offers skiing for all levels across a 150km pistes.  The majority of runs are intermediate blues and reds; there is also some fantastic off-piste to be found. The powder is reliably good here, too. Try the famed Lac du Lou, 1,400m of vertical easily accessed from the Cime de Caron.

LEARN TO DIVE IN THE RED SEA
Book a diving course with Responsible Travel who aims to employ local workers and ensure the protection of the environment in which they operate. They offer diving courses at a PADI 5-star Gold Palm Resort on the shores of the Eel Garden dive site in Dahab, Egypt.  The will teach you the basic skills before heading underwater to discover the colourful sea life and coral, secure in the knowledge you are not causing any ecological harm.

In winter the city of Montreal becomes a hive of winter activities and especially in the Jean-Drapeau Park (home of the Canadian Formula1 Grand Prix) - they have created the Montreal Snow Village. Like Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland they have created an ice worshiper paradise. With Montreal city landscape in the background, the snow village is the celebration of everything Ice; there is the ice hotel, bar and restaurant all house in huge igloos.

Ski Resorts across the world are doing more to woo us to their resorts.  They are adding more to the usual winter sports, now there is a combination of festivals, celebrating music, food and comedy.  Starting in November, there are ski festivals through out the winter until April, when the season closes.  So if you want to add a bit more to the usual skiing on your next ski break we have collated a list of resorts drawing the crowed.

Chef’s Cup, Alta Badia – Italy
The Chef’s Cup is a high altitude celebration of haute cuisine in the heart of the Dolomites, it was created by Michelin-starred chef, Norbert Niederkofler.  It is the perfect destination for culinary enthusiasts who want to improve on their culinary skills along with their skiing. The Chef’s Cup combines the best of skiing with the best of food. The event attracts up to 400 of the world’s finest chefs; to show of their dishes and share their expertise with visitors. The Chef’s Cup - Alta Badia, takes place in the last week of January (chefscup.it).

Our next short break idea takes us to Quebec, Canada the St. Lawrence River to be exact, where you can see some of the world’s biggest mammals up close enough to feel their strength and power.  This area is world renowned for its Whales and other aquatic life.  The St. Lawrence River is 1,197km (744 mi) long, from where it starts at Lake Anterio and flows northeast to the Atlantic Ocean.

The St. Lawrence River and its estuaries have a lot to offer its visitors. There is enough for the water sports enthusiast, nature and animal lovers but whale watching is one of its main attractions.  This is the perfect place to see the some of the biggest whales in the world as they are attracted by the river’s depth and extensive supply of shellfish.