Want to get your adrenaline pumping? Here’s an option:  Try toboggan down the Cresta Run.  The process is simple yet terrifying: a rider goes down the run alone on a toboggan, lying head-first, using rakes on the end of special boots to brake and steer. The braking part is crucial, particularly ahead of the infamous Shuttlecock corner. Go flying off there (and into a ‘specially prepared’ falling area) and you get the right to wear a Shuttlecock tie. Whether the tie is worth it is another question altogether.

There are many reasons people choose to go skiing, from the wonderful alpine vistas to the top-class après-ski that can be as lively as it is stylish. But at the heart of any skiing trip is the snow itself – and an opportunity to enjoy the thrills (and sometimes spills) of a descent surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.

CRESTED BUTTE, United States

BEST FOR: Steep and deep skiers looking to channel their inner cowboy.

Arguably the last remaining gem in Colorado’s world-famous portfolio of ski towns, Crested Butte is overflowing with authentic skier soul.  Located a mere 35 miles as the crow flies from Aspen, Crested Butte has a vibe that couldn’t feel further away from the glitzy celeb-fuelled world that exists just over the hill. ‘Crusty Butt’, as it is also affectionately known, is a genuinely welcoming place of locally owned businesses and ‘real’ people who are fiercely proud of their funky little Rocky Mountain cowboy town.

Which island hosts the largest free festival in Europe that has attracted the likes of Snoop Dogg, Lady Gaga and Flo Rida? Where do you think Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Thor actor Chris Hemsworth takes a break to explore the depths of the ocean?  The answer is Med-hot Malta – the upcoming go-to destinations for discerning travellers (and celebrities), because it offers 300 days of sun, affordable luxury, picturesque resorts with an abundance of water sports and great nightlife.

Cosmopolitan Toronto, with its iconic CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in North America, world-class gastronomy and lively, yet easy-going vibe, is a great starting point to discover the natural wonders of Canada.  From here, you can explore the thundering cascades of Niagara Falls – which have to be on everyone’s list of must-sees on a trip to this vast land of lakes, mountains, forests and rivers.

One thing sure to ruin a wintery holiday is no snow. Yes, it’s that time of the year again when we fish out our furry boots and become amateur meteorologists in the hope there will be a decent covering of the white stuff.

But there is one place where you don’t need to worry about snowfall. The Kitzbühel ski area in Tyrol, Austria, is as powdery as it gets, with an average 180 days of snow a year, making it the country’s first non-glacial ski area opened for the winter season.

The Kitzbühel resort is the first non-Glacier ski area to open in Austria, with 179 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes, 36km of ski routes; 180 ski days throughout the season, romantic mountain huts and cosy hotels.  The area is home to the world famous Streif, a spectacular downhill ski race piste.  It is easy to see why Kitzbühel is regarded as one of the best ski resort in the world.

For those of us who like to ski or snowboard, choosing a resort can be a daunting task when the time comes to select a destination of your next winter trip.  Let us introduce you SalzburgerLand in Austria, it has everything you need, modern spa resorts and traditional huts to 550 state-of-the-art lifts. SalzburgerLand has 22 ski resorts, which as a combined offer cover 2,000km of pistes for all levels of difficulty.

With thousands of festivals and parties taking place across Europe each summer, there are a lot of pretenders to the crown of new European party hotspot. But the island of Malta may well be it, steadily building its reputation as a serious music and culture destination for those in the know.

Just three hours from the UK, Malta is becoming known by 20 and 30-somethings as an incredibly diverse destination.  Those tired of paying Ibiza's prices or battling for a few inches of sand in Italy are finding a country with a lot of bang for your buck.

As the warm summer’s sun fades and Autumn moves into Winter a different type of thrill seekers emerge thinking of where best to enjoy the white stuff.  Choosing which ski resort to hangout at and checking the weather reports every five minutes to see how snow is falling can be time consuming. We have put together a list of 10 great destinations that we think will appeal to the different type of skiers. We have Jackson Hole, USA to Rusutsu, Japan plus a whole host of European resorts.