When you’re thinking of taking a skiing holiday you might assume that this type of activity holiday can only be taken during winter and early spring. Wrong....

Held over 5 days at Ascot race course, Royal Ascot has been the meeting place for those wanting to experience 18 group races by some of the world’s best racehorses. 

The Madrid Marathon began back in 1978 and since then there have been more than 120 thousand runners complete the marathon. There are over a million spectators from all over the world come and line Madrid’s city streets to show their support making the atmosphere electric.

Across the states there are problems with too little snow, which is especially galling for them as there was so much snow last year. There has been low or little snowfall across the US from New England clear over to California, though skiers may not particularly suffer as many resorts, especially in the western states have made huge investments in snow making technology. In addition to this resorts have also widened their appeal by offering more than snow slope activities – spas, entertainment and nightlife – skating and more things to do instead of skiing and snowboarding.

The Siberian Ice Marathon is advertised as the coldest in the world – the temperature has been as low as  -39 degrees C but usually is much warmer (!) at between -15 to   20 degrees Centigrade. Actually a half marathon, the Siberian Ice Marathon is held in the frozen city of Omsk  as the Siberians celebrate their Russian Orthodox  Christmas Day on January 7th and begins at 1.00pm.

Perhaps with all the talk of recession and purses and wallets feeling the pinch, you’re not quite up for Kitzbuhel or Gstaad this year. However, there are a range of indoor snowdomes in the UK that offer snow sports all the year round. Manchester’s Chill Factor has wonderful real snow with both skiing and snowboarding taster sessions as well as lessons to prepare you for the real slopes.

Now is the time to look ahead for your winter ski or snowboarding holiday whether you are looking for a hotel or chalet,  package, all inclusive or pick and mix. There are cheap deals on offer for resorts in France, such as La Tania and Flaine, Soll in Austria and Pas De la Casa in Andorra. You will need to do some research if you’re a beginner and going with a mixed party and find out how near the nursery slopes are to the pistes for more advanced skiers or snowboarders – you don’t want to end up in an entirely different part of the resort and away from your friends. It will also be essential to book lessons early – as well as snap up any deals for ski lift tickets or similar.

Tickets are selling fast for the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix held at the Spa Francorchamps circuit which for those fans that missed Silverstone is pretty accessible and promises to be an interesting event because of the challenging nature of the Spa circuit and the history of unpredictable weather . The Belgian Grand Prix is the 13th in the F1 World Championships and McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton will hope this is his lucky number and that he will win the race as he did in 2010.

Dubai is fast becoming the most popular destination in the Middle East and this huge metropolis of architectural marvels and extremes (such as the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in  the world ) has so many things to see for both short and longer stay visitors. This year the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix event covers five days from 10th to the 14th November and coincides with the 40th Anniversary of the UAE so special festivities will be happening. Last year was a sell out, and as tickets bought before the 31st of May, so Emirates 24/7 reports, will have a 20% reduction, now is the time to book.

Ideal for horse lovers and those who like to visit Rome for a city break and would enjoy a focus, then visiting Rome to experience the International Horse Show at the Piazza di Siena  at the end of May is an excellent holiday idea. The Piazza di Siena International Horse Show is attended by the rich and famous from Rome and worldwide interested in top-class equestrian sport, and offers an exciting change to historical sightseeing for tourists.

The end of the ski season in Ischgl, Austria is marked by the Top of the Mountain concert in Ischgl, Tyrol, Austria on April 30th 2011, headlined by the USA band The Killers.

Keep fit and see the wonderful sights of Barcelona! There is still time to register for the Barcelona Marathon on the 6th March – 60 euros to enter before the end of January and 70 euros to the 20th February 2011. The route of the marathon takes in many major sights of the city and is also an exciting time for the spectators.

Set in a  natural scenic wonderland of forests, glaciers and excellent ski slopes the Snowbombing Festival in Mayrhofen, Austria runs from the 4th to the 9th April.

The slopes in and around the trendy ski resort of Arinsal, Andorra are the setting for a wild and boisterous Big Snow Festival. Just like a traditional outdoor music festival plus good snow sports!

Red Bull Linecatcher freestyle backcountry skiing event is to be help at Vars, La Foret Blanche in January, and the competition will be held on the Eyssina bars, the site that has both exceptional cliffs and also steep slopes to allow skiers to best adapt the route to their own style.

Many British skiers home in on France’s 400 or so ski resorts for their skiing year after year, though some favour other European destinations. However, North America with Canada, Oregon, Colorado and the unlikely but amazing Las Vegas Ski resort are chipping away at the market.

There are already walking and bus tours available in London to show people the neighborhoods  and historic areas associated with the Olympic Games in 2012 .The Olympic Park is rejuvenating 500 acres of London’s East End and visitors can view this work in progress from different vantage points.

There is a promise of a magnificent spectacle for visitors to Athens at the end of October. Not just the 2010 Athens Classic Marathon – the 28th -and other  quality races, but a theatrical enactment of the original marathon 2500 years ago,

What a double for motorcycling fans – the bwin MotoGP Championships on the 29th-31st October being held at Estoril – a beautiful place for a holiday AND exciting racing. What more could you want ?

Greenland’s Polar Circle Marathon and half marathon is on the 23rd October. This “coolest marathon on earth” is in Kangerlussaq against the backdrop of the snow and ice. Runners pass glaciers, moraines and arctic desert in this most scenic and exciting event setting off at 0930.

It’s not too late to arrange a stay in Birmingham to see the HOYS at The BEC at Birmingham. Though Saturday tickets are sold out there still are a few left for Friday and the weekend

New flight routes , some from this month, will be available this autumn from Bristol, Liverpool and Edinburgh and Newcastle, as well as Manchester and Gatwick, to several key European destinations for Skiers, city-breakers and sun seekers.

A visit to Paris in early October should include a visit to the premier horserace, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, run at Longchamp , the most famous French racecourse.

With only five weeks or so to the Commonwealth games the second phase of tickets have been released and are now available.

Singapore’s Grand Prix from 24-26th September is the third Night Race in the venue – along with 10 day entertainment schedule for visitors. But Singapore is also planning to be a major sports venue when its new Sports Hub is completed.