“the thrill of handling my own dog sled team

Alex Roddie takes his snowshoes from Scotland to the Austrian Tyrol – and finds out just how far he can push them

Moments enjoyed, lessons learned, handy advice, weird stuff that happened: welcome to the little bits and pieces that don’t make big stories, but do make all the difference.

What could be more romantic than a day in a sleigh drawn by horses, or a team of huskies? It’s a cinch to sort in Switzerland’s dramatic south-western ski resort, Verbier. Some chalet hosts will even

From selecting a route to assessing avalanche risk, Alex Roddie shares the skills that every new snowshoer needs to know

It can lower stress, treat depression and open up a whole new world of outdoor-going opportunities so could you learn to love the cold? We spoke to converts whose lives have been shaped by embracing winter

→ When Bella meets Chris Packham, she engages in what the wildlife presenter describes as an “ancient greeting ceremony”. That is to say, she licks his entire face. “Oh, she likes you,” says Big Issue