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Have you ever imagined yourself rocketing down a ski slope, leaving a spray of white powdery snow behind you?

Are you jealous when friends post endless pictures of fun winters of mulled wine and cheese in front of a heavenly mountain backdrop? Are you ready to take the leap (so to speak) and enjoy your first alpine adventure, but you don’t know where to start? If so, then read our manual for your first time foray into the snow-sport world.

Before you go, here are some quick-win tips if you don’t even know where to start…

Choose a great beginner resort
Some resorts are perfect for a novice. Knowledgeable, English speaking ski instructors, accommodation near the ski lifts, resort après ski and facilities for when you’re not on the slopes are all things you should consider.

Think about what to wear
It’s all about layers. Wearing thick cotton or wool jumpers will be cumbersome and eventually sweaty so try to avoid them. A good thermal base and thin extra layers are the best way to keep both warm on the snow and cool in the sun.

Prepare your body
Make no mistake about it, skiing is a sport. And your body (especially your legs) will thank you if you exercise in the run up to your trip. There are many online guides to getting ‘ski-fit’ but even a few weeks jogging before you go will help get you ready.

Try before you fly
There are many great indoor slopes in the UK these days and a lesson or two before your holiday will not only show you a few basic essentials but also prepare you for the feeling of being on skis - as well as the dreaded button lift!

Pre-book your extras
There are 3 essentials you will need to get on the mountain: a lift pass, lessons and equipment. Arranging, paying and queuing for these things on day one however can be a frustrating experience which can be made easier by booking before you go.

Ok, so you’re ready to go, but where should you visit for your first ski adventure?

Best for Beginners: Méribel, France
Perfectly positioned as a springboard for the whole Three Valleys ski area, Méribel offers over 150km of pistes within its own right as well as access to a total of over 600km of pistes for the entire ski region. With the majority of runs designated as beginner/blue level, it’s the perfect place for new skiers to enjoy and practise their skills across a powder play-land. Ski schools are available onsite and the ski and snowboarding instructors are able to offer lessons in most of the world’s major languages.

Best Yet to Come: Glenshee, Scotland
While not as snow ready just yet as some of the others to follow, Glenshee Ski Centre is a great resort to hold out for once the natural snow starts to settle. Located just north of the Cairnwell Pass, it’s not only the largest ski centre in Scotland but the largest snow sports resort in the entire UK! The season usually goes from December to April and its 40km of pistes, 22 lifts and 36 runs in total are open every day of the week, leaving plenty of time to explore. If you’re after lessons, the Glenshee Ski and Board School offers a variety of classes and a nice collection of restaurants and cafes completes the resort for relaxing times off the powder.

Longest Season: Ruka, Finland
Besides those glacier ski resorts that can stay open year round, Ruka boasts the longest season in Europe. The slopes open in October through to May, making the season at least 200 days – and they sometimes stay open even into June! It’s the largest ski resort in Lapland and has runs for each and every level. They also offer night skiing on Fridays 7-11pm from December to mid-April. You can expect well-groomed slopes covered in a good layer of powdered snow thanks to the snow cannons – in fact, in their entire history, Ruka has never had to close their slopes early due to poor snow conditions. The resort was even awarded the title of Best Ski Resort in Finland 2013 in the World Ski Awards and it’s not hard to see why, when you could be skiing beneath the Northern Lights if you hit the slopes between October and February!

Easiest Access: St. Moritz/Corviglia-Marguns, Switzerland
The biggest ski region in the Engadin, this one goes from Suvetta to St. Moritz and further on to Celerina. Here you’ll have access to 22 lifts to get you around the resort – in fact, they can handle nearly 30,000 people every hour. Not only that but most of the hotels are situated directly beneath the ski slopes or just a short train ride away, as in St. Moritz-Dorf, where you can take the Chantarellabahn. It is recommended to come by car, as you can park directly beneath the slope on many occasions.

Best Off-the-Beaten Path: Kvitfjell, Norway
This resort in the holiday region of Lillehammer has “only” 29 km of pistes but is still among the 10 biggest ski resorts in Norway. You can enjoy a choice of 9 lifts to get you around and there are pistes of every difficulty ranking from beginners to pro. The most recommended slopes are Vestsideløpa, Panoramaløypa and Olympiabakke, where you can do a spot of night skiing. The pistes are covered in a lower of artificial snow in October for the start of the season and you can ski right through until the end of April.

All eyes are on Rio this year, with around 15,000 athletes descending on the Brazilian city for the world’s largest sporting event: the Summer Olympic & Paralympic Games. Away from the South American spotlight, the year’s sporting calendar is as busy as ever – here are 10 events to look out for.

1. Cycling: The world’s best return to Lee Valley

UCI Track Cycling World Championships – London, 2-6 March

Four years ago London’s newly built velodrome became one of the epicentres of the 2012 Olympics, the crowd noise almost launching the venue into orbit as Team GB racked up gold medals. Now the planet’s top track cyclists are back, laying down markers for the Rio games at the first World Championships to be held in the UK for eight years. Sir Bradley Wiggins and Laura Trott are among those likely to figure.

2. Cricket: Can anyone beat Sri Lanka?

ICC World Twenty20 – India, 8 March-3 April

Ben Stokes’ swashbuckling innings in Cape Town seemed more in keeping with Twenty20 batting than Test Match cricket, and he won’t have to wait long for a fitting stage for his talent. The biennial World Twenty20 arrives in India in March, with England initially up against the West Indies, South Africa and reigning champions Sri Lanka. The latter are still ranked number one in the world – but how will they fare without the talismanic presence of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene?

3. Tennis: The defence of the Davis Cup title begins

Great Britain v Japan, first round of Davis Cup – Birmingham, 4-6 March

The British team’s Murray-inspired exploits in November became one of the biggest sports stories of 2015, resulting in a first Davis Cup triumph for no less than 79 years – and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award for the current World No 2. But can they repeat their success this year? GB have been handed a home tie in the first round, drawing Japan in Birmingham. A formality on paper, but where British tennis is concerned, anything goes…

While you’re there… Splash out on a meal – Birmingham has more 2016 Michelin stars than any UK city outside London.

4. Motor Racing: Hamilton looking to cement pole position

Formula One season – 20 March-27 November

Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to become the first British driver to win three consecutive Formula One world championships when the season begins in March. But with the schedule being expanded for 2016 – partly due to a new race in Azerbaijan – will he have the stamina? On a related motorsport note, this summer also sees London’s Battersea Park witness the culmination of another Formula E season.

5. Horse Racing: Richard Johnson steps into McCoy’s shoes

Invictus Games – Orlando, 8-12 May

When the international Invictus Games were first held in 2014 – counting some 300 wounded or sick armed personnel as its competitors – the event had the full works: BBC coverage, a royal patron and a closing concert headlined by the Foo Fighters. This second edition is likely to draw just as much attention, taking place over five days at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando.

6. Football: Europe’s powerhouses go head to head

Euro 2016 – France, 10 June-10 July

By the time this season’s implausibly tight Premier League race finally comes to a head in May, the European Championships will be just weeks away. The tournament takes place in France, and home advantage means the host nation stands as one of the favourites to lift the trophy – along with Germany, Spain, Belgium and, among the eternally optimistic, Roy Hodgson’s England.

7. Boxing: Fury vs Klitschko Part Two

The list of people eager to take a swing at Tyson Fury is a long one, but the man officially entrusted with the duty in 2016 is Wladimir Klitschko, the fighter who the UK’s controversial new heavyweight champion defeated in November. No date or location has yet been set for the rematch, although when it rolls around you can expect the pre-fight media hoopla to be as entertaining as the bout itself.

8. Golf: Will Europe make it four in a row?

Ryder Cup – Minnesota, 30 September-2 October

The heroics of Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and co at recent Ryder Cups means European fans have become accustomed to success. When golf’s biggest occasion returns again in the autumn, however, Davis Love III’s American team will be desperate to reverse the trend. And with current World No 1 Jordan Spieth spearheading the US charge, the event is likely to be as hard-fought as ever.

9. Rugby Union: The latest north-south global showdown

Autumn Internationals – 5 November-3 December

Last year’s World Cup was roundly dominated by southern hemisphere teams – not one Six Nations side made the semi-finals – so when New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina return to these shores in the autumn, their hosts will have a point to prove. Will the absence of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter make the All Blacks vulnerable? Can Wales finally topple Australia? And will Eddie Jones’ England prove resurgent?

10. Ice Hockey: Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate turning 100 years old

The Maple Leafs are expected to unveil both a new logo and new uniforms in time for the 2016-17 season which will be their 100th as a franchise in the National Hockey League. It's all part of the Leaf's plans to go all out in celebrating their centennial season.

While you’re there… With Cardiff, Rome, London, Paris, Toronto, Edinburgh all seeing action, you’re culturally spoiled for choice.