Each year on the fourth Monday of November, Switzerland’s capital city of Bern holds the Bern’s Zibelemärit (Onion Market), a very special folk festival.  The event draws farmers from the surrounding areas brining more than 50 tonnes of onions to Bern for this famous Zibelemärit.  From about 5am visitors, farmers and hundreds of stalls line the picturesque Old Town selling everything to do with onions and garlic.

I know for most the a ski break is all about the slope. But what if you could mix your skiing activities with other experiences? Like fine dining, yoga and wine-tasting, walking and great festival where some of the best artists come to entertain. For those who don't ski or just do a little then, here you won't be bored or feel jealous watching others enjoy themselves, going up and down the slopes.  Well have found 5 resorts where you can slope off for a bit more than just skiing.

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.

HOTEL CHESA ROSATSCH, CELERINA

Nestled in the popular Upper Engadine valley, on the banks of the Inn River, this charming property, with rosy red walls and wooden beams, is almost 400 years old. Rooms, though, are modern and boutique, while its restaurant serves tasty stone-grilled locals meat and crispy Flammechueche. The village of Celerina is quiet but perfectly placed for exploring the surrounding area, where it’s possible to view Engadine’s glaciers. Visit hotelrosatsch.ch/en/

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.

Non-drivers can still enjoy striking panoramas on the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland. The route encompasses an impressive 91 tunnels and 291 bridges.  Take the Wilhelm Tell Express via the Magadino Plain, and admire the three grand medieval castles of Bellinzona which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Pass through the medieval town of Schaffhausen and the 400-year-old Fortress of Munot, and look out for the 13th-century Hohenklingen Castle at Stien am Rhein.

Impressive for its compact size, Switzerland boasts a diverse array of historical attractions and natural wonders, making it the ideal destination for a show-stopping road trip.  Travellers can explore some of Europe’s best preserved medieval villages, traverse giddy mountain passes, snowshoe across glacial plateaus and sip Grand Cru wines on the sun-drenched banks of crystal clear lakes.

If you have exhausted the boutique of Paris and got your Gaudi fix in Barcelona. Why not try Zürich this summer, and add it to your list of shopping destinations? Fashion-forward and cosmopolitan, the Swiss city offers world-class art, upscale bars and haute cuisine in one beautiful lakeside location.

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.

In the northeast of Spain and onwards to Andorra and France are the Pyrenees, where the altitude and prices are generally lower. On the other hand, the Alps are iconic and well known. Some of the best skiing in the world is found in this dizzyingly picturesque European mountain range (its 1,200km cross Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Slovenia). So, whether you are looking for a bargain, uncharted slopes, somewhere to take the children or just a great meal up the side of a mountain. We have found 11 that will suite everyone’s budget in the Pyrenees and the Alps.