Our relationship with nature. That’s what skiing or snowboarding is all about, when you really strip out the melted cheese and the schnapps, the GoPro cameras, the gloves and the goggles. It’s about standing at the top of the world, the pure air catching in the back of your throat, the sun flashing off every surface, with a mountain at your feet. Knowing that in the next few minutes, you’ll be trying to achieve some kind of harmony with the elements. Chasing that flow-state when the gear becomes weightless, the skis do your bidding and the snow parts obligingly beneath your feet. That’s what you came for, after all. And at its best, there’s nothing like it.

This year unofficially ushered in the Year of the Cowboy. It saw the release of Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s much-anticipated country album. And western wear took over the catwalks. Even Post Malone ditched his regular programming in favour of a new country sound. For your own experience of cowboy life, you could stay home and watch the final season of Yellowstone – in fact, we suggest you do this – but why not consider staying on a real ranch for your next vacation? Below, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite luxury ranch hotels where you can ride, wrangle and embrace the great outdoors (and put your western wardrobe to legitimate use).

Your suitcase might be getting less action than it did in the summer, but lots of destinations are even better in the winter months. And we’re not just talking only about ski resorts. As it happens, there is a plethora of great alternative activities to experience off piste, whether you choose to travel solo, with a partner or with the kids in tow.

The original winter playground, there is nowhere quite like St Moritz. With glittering Alpine scenery, a head-spinningly good snow-to-sunshine ratio and a full-throttle sporting calendar that verges on the ridiculous, this legendary Swiss resort does nothing by halves. It is a place best approached with a nudge or two in the right direction, so allow us to give you the inside track.

Our relationship with nature. That’s what skiing or snowboarding is all about, when you really strip out the melted cheese and the schnapps, the GoPro cameras, the gloves and the goggles. It’s about standing at the top of the world, the pure air catching in the back of your throat, the sun flashing off every surface, with a mountain at your feet. Knowing that in the next few minutes, you’ll be trying to achieve some kind of harmony with the elements. Chasing that flow-state when the gear becomes weightless, the skis do your bidding and the snow parts obligingly beneath your feet. That’s what you came for, after all. And at its best, there’s nothing like it.

This year unofficially ushered in the Year of the Cowboy. It saw the release of Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s much-anticipated country album. And western wear took over the catwalks. Even Post Malone ditched his regular programming in favour of a new country sound. For your own experience of cowboy life, you could stay home and watch the final season of Yellowstone – in fact, we suggest you do this – but why not consider staying on a real ranch for your next vacation? Below, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite luxury ranch hotels where you can ride, wrangle and embrace the great outdoors (and put your western wardrobe to legitimate use).