Whether you can’t ski or won’t ski, you don’t have to be a powder hound to enjoy an action packed week in a glittering winter wonderland. From hot springs to husky rides and ice cricket to snow rafting, these resorts offer oodles of off-piste excitement.

With annual snowfall averaging 37 feet, it’s hardly surprising Jackson Hole is regularly rated one of America’s top ski resorts. But it’s also a paradise for non-skiers, with boundless off-slope activities.

Instead of hitting the slopes in the morning, take a half-day wildlife safari through the Jackson Hole valley and into Grand Teton National Park. The valley is home to wolves, bison, elk, foxes and bald eagles, plus thousands of elk.

Adrenaline junkies will find some of the world’s best snowmobiling in Jackson Hole. Swoosh through acres of thick powder until you reach Granite Hot Springs, then strip off and warm up in the water, whilst soaking up views of the magnificent Tetons.

For a roller coaster with a difference, try the Cowboy Coaster at Snow King Mountain. You’ll ride 456 feet up, then whizz back down at speeds of up to 25mph. If that hasn’t got your heart racing enough, soar off the mountain tip on a paragliding adventure.

With its designer boutiques, Michelin-starred fine dining, casinos and 300 days of sunshine each year, St Moritz offers as much glitz and glamour as it does snowy adventure. The resort has also hosted the Winter Olympics twice, thanks to its 217 miles of immaculate pistes.

Get into the spirit of the Winter Games with an exhilarating ride on the Olympia bob run – the only run in the world that’s made from natural ice. A pilot and brakeman will take you down the 5,649 foot track and with speeds of up to 80mph, be prepared to feel the G force. Afterwards, calm your racing heart with a glass of schnapps. 

Take a day trip across the Italian border to Tirano on board the legendary Bernina Express. The train line itself is a UNESCO listed world heritage site, thanks to the glacial landscapes, soaring Landwasser viaduct and Alpine passes.

Thanks to the sub-zero winter temperatures, St Moritz lake becomes a vast icy playground in winter. Walk or skate over its glassy expanse and, in February, enjoy the annual ice cricket tournament or horse races. White Turf run meets on three Sundays and aside from flat racing, you’ll see thoroughbreds pull skiers across the ice at speeds of up to 31mph. 

The vast Chamonix valley may be a skiers’ paradise, but there are plenty of adrenaline-fuelled adventures beyond the slopes. Start by taking the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi, a needle-sharp peak 12,604-feet-high in the French Alps. Step out onto the viewing platform and see the snow-dusted valley stretching out far below.

If the cable car doesn’t appeal, take a helicopter flight over the Mont Blanc massif and enjoy views of snow capped peaks. Feel the wind in your hair with a tandem paragliding flight over the valley – children as young as five can soar through the alpine air.

Once you’ve come back down to Earth, hire a mountain guide and learn how to climb the ice falls. Or, for something less strenuous, take the train from Chamonix up to Montenvers to explore the ice cave at the Mer de Glace glacier. The man-made tunnel enables you to get inside the glacier, where you’ll find ice sculptures.

Japan’s biggest ski area, Niseko, has an eye-watering 52 feet of snowfall every season. The powder here is legendary for its reliability, dryness and depth, but you’ll also find plenty of ways to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.

Strip down to your birthday suit and sink into one of the area’s many onsen, or natural hot springs. It’s worth knowing the etiquette before you go –bathing suits are forbidden, as are tattoos, and most onsen have separate male and female pools. The rules are a little more relaxed at the Niseko Grand Hotel, which allows mixed sex bathing but, if you’re feeling shy, you can always book the pool at the Kanronomori Hotel for private hire. 

Make the most of the deep powder on a snowmobile safari, or take a guided snowshoe hike to the foot of Mount Yotei, a dormant volcano. A short walk will take you to frozen Lake Hangetsu and, if you’re feeling energetic, you can circumnavigate the edge.

Get stuck into some serious sushi in one of the area’s many restaurants, or learn how to cook four Japanese dishes on one of Niseko Gourmet’s cooking courses. 

 

Nestled in Norway’s Valdres Valley, the resort of Beitostølen sells itself as a "winter park", offering a vast array of snow-based activities, alongside gentle, family-friendly skiing.

Here, even non-skiers can enjoy the wind in their hair as they fly down the slopes. Try gliding down on an inflated inner tube, otherwise known as snow tubing. There are weekly sessions every Tuesday afternoon, but for max velocity, try to make your descent at dusk, when the ground is that bit icier.

We’ve all heard of river rafting, but did you know you can snow raft too? Just swap the water for a channel of the white stuff, hop into the inflatable dingy and you’re off. Trips last two hours, and afterwards, you can warm up round a campfire in a traditional tee-pee, whilst tucking into venison stew. 

Soak up the mountain views and snow-covered forests on horseback, with a two-riding session from Fjellrittet stables. Or, for a more laid back adventure, try a magical torch-lit ride in a horse drawn sleigh, with plenty of hot toddy to keep you warm. 

Nestled beneath Vermont’s highest peak, Mount Mansfield, is Stowe, a 485-acre wintry playground. But don’t have to strap planks to your feet to enjoy the swathes of sparkling snow – experience it from high up in the canopy on a three-hour zip line adventure.

If you prefer to plant your feet firmly on the ground, rent a pair of snowshoes and choose from nine trails, ranging from flat to more challenging. Traverse wooden bridges and search for frozen waterfalls, before warming up with a hot chocolate.

Get your skates on at Stowe Arena, where you can glide around the ice free of charge (you’ll need to pay to hire skates though), or try your hand at ice fishing on one of Vermont’s 40 lakes. Alternatively, hire a fat bike, a bicycle with extra wide tyres, to explore the snowy landscape.

With its cobbled pedestrianised streets, ice-cream coloured buildings and Medieval architecture, Kitzbühel oozes charm. It also has upmarket boutiques, restaurants and a livelier apres ski scene than you might expect.

Make like a fairy tale princess and explore the glittering snowscape on a horse drawn sleigh. Head to the town’s Schwarzsee lake for a moonlit ice skate, or try a guided night hike, using torches to find your way.

Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage City, is just a two-hour train ride away. Visit the 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress, a fabulously well-preserved castle and, if you’re a music lover, take a pilgrimage to the house where Mozart was born. Now a museum, it houses letters, portraits, memorabilia and some of his instruments. 

In January, you can join the 15,000 visitors who descend on Kitzbühel for the annual snow polo tournament. Thanks to specially-designed studded horseshoes, the ponies are still able to make their legendary twists and turns, despite the slippery surface.

Ruka’s quiet, well-groomed slopes have earned it the title of Finland’s best ski resort. Located just 37 miles south of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, it’s the most snow-sure resort in Europe, plus it also offers magical, wintry adventures by the bucket load.

Put your driving skills to the test with an ice karting session – think go karting, but with studded tyres for extra grip on the slippery surface. By night, take a snowmobile safari under the star-studded night sky, and keep your fingers crossed that you’ll catch a glimpse of the northern lights.

At the Era-Susi husky farm, you can make friends with some of the 200 furry residents, and their puppies too if you’re lucky. You’ll then be taught how to drive a sled, before embarking on an exhilarating three-mile ride. Afterwards, you'll tuck into coffee and cake. 

Of course it would be rude to visit Lapland without seeing Father Christmas – this is his home after all. Take a trip to Santa’s Cottage, where you’ll be greeted by his elves, before sledging and cooking sausages on an open fire. You’ll then bake gingerbread cookies with Mrs Claus and, of course, spend time with the man himself.