Ski season is here and if you’re looking to hit the slopes, why not bring the whole family along with you? After all, one of the best parts of a ski trip is the people you travel with. However, it can be hard to find a destination that caters to every age, skill level and interest level. Fortunately, there are plenty of family-friendly ski resorts available to choose from. These resorts offer a wide range of activities from challenging mountain terrain to scenic gondola rides.

Hilton Niseko Village’s convenient location makes it a perfect spot for families to stay. The hotel directly connects to Niseko Village Ski Resort slopes—27 trails ranging from beginner to intermediate. A wide range of ski schools are also available at Niseko, with lessons taught in various languages. Those looking to learn as a family can also opt for private lessons.

If you don’t mind a longer plane ride, take a trip to Whistler Blackcomb in Vancouver, British Columbia. At the largest ski resort in North America, find over 200 trails spread across 8,000 acres, including two slopeside children’s play areas—Magic Castle and Tree Fort. The former is located on Blackcomb Mountain and features a castle-themed playground while you’ll be able to find the latter along Whistler Mountain complete with a tree fort. Various activities and experiences are available, including snowmobile tours, dog sledding and tubing.

Those hoping to ski later in the year can take a trip to Cardrona Alpine Resort. Located on New Zealand’s South Island, the resort offers on-mountain accommodation, making it convenient to hit the slopes. Its apartments feature a fully-equipped kitchen, separate lounge area, and ski and board storage areas. Cots and high chairs for the little ones are also available upon request. The resort also offers a fully licensed early childcare centre for kids aged three months up to five years old. Group ski lessons for those under five are also available at the centre. Kids aged five and above can go for the resort’s multi-day programme which takes the little ones out to the slopes for a week.

Looking to ski together as a family? Head to Snowmass for mountains featuring trails that range from gentle short greens to expert-level black diamonds. Take your toddlers to the Treehouse Kids Adventure Centre, an interactive environment that’s sure to keep your little one entertained for hours. Apart from skiing and snowboarding, various family-friendly experiences are available, such as the Alpine Coaster, tubing, art installations and more.

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As the clock ticks down to midnight on New Year’s Eve, it’s time to sparkle and make a statement to usher in the New Year. Whether you’re attending a glamorous soirée, a chic cocktail party, or celebrating with friends and family, your final ensemble of the year should reflect the excitement of ringing in a fresh start. From unexpected textures to timeless sequins and shine, here’s how to party the year away in style.

New Year’s Eve parties are synonymous with glitter and glamour. Go all out and embrace the festive spirit with an ensemble adorned with sequins, rhinestones, or metallic embellishments. A shiny mini dress or a sparkling jumpsuit will catch the light and guarantee you stand out in the crowd.

If you’re looking to effortlessly exude luxury and sophistication, opt for an elegant velvet piece. Consider a velvet dress or jumpsuit in deep jewel tones like emerald, burgundy, or navy. Complete the look with some strappy high heels for a glamorous festive ensemble.

Step away from the traditional blacks and neutrals, and usher in the New Year with bold and vibrant patterns. Make your mark with playful prints or bold colours that will lift your spirits and keep you energetic all night long.

When it comes to shoes, make a confident and stylish entrance with statement silhouettes. There’s no better time to experiment with bold shapes and cuts that showcase your personality, ensuring you make a lasting impression at this year’s countdown party.

Of course, no outfit is complete without jewellery. Elevate your party ensemble with statement accessories like oversized earrings or stacks of rings and bracelets to bring it all together. There’s no such thing as too much for the last party of the year!

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Crystal chandeliers, vintage accoutrements and ruby-hued plush furnishings are all glaring symbols in The Backdrop at Voco Orchard Singapore that hark back to the glory days of 1920s cabaret—think Moulin Rouge. The risque speakeasy is dreamt up by Dario Knox, a luminary with over 19 years of global expertise under his belt. But don’t come expecting the conventional. With a nod to the past and a vision for the future, the shrewd bartender now presents a space dedicated to the art of extraction, drawing inspiration from historical elixirs and percolations.

The beautifully bonded cocktail menu, curated into acts and sections, showcases a spectrum of mixology techniques spanning centuries alongside Knox’s anecdotes—many of which accumulated from travelling across Italy over the past four years.

From timeless classics to avant-garde interpretations that push flavour boundaries, imbibers are invited on a thrilling exploration of libations. A standout was the Negroni Supreme, a silky harmonious blend of coconut fat-washed gin, Guatemalan coffee bean-infused vermouth and banana sous-pressed Campari. A finishing spritz of percolated hazelnut mist is applied tableside. Each sip is refreshingly tart and savoury, followed by an elegant finish that is bitter yet nutty to round it off. It vaguely reminds us of the coffee-forward French dessert of an Opera.

Knox’s adept understanding of cocktail anatomy sweetens the kitty. Expect playful reimaginations of the whiskey old fashioned, complex pursuits that marry mezcal and tequila to accentuate the expression of smoke, or even bold attempts to mirror wines, reminiscent of citrusy sauvignon blancs and big-bodied cabernets, using only spirits. From the kitchen, a modest tapas menu comes equipped with classics like lobster rolls, bikini sandwiches and some cold cuts.

As we left, the first exchange between us and Knox lingered in our consciousness, “To everyone I say, The Backdrop is more than just a bar and best experienced for yourself” he says. Beyond libations, Knox teases future events that include the likes of masterclasses and workshops for the inquisitive. Make no mistake, this watering hole should be next on your list.

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When it comes to running, you either love it or hate it. Regardless of which group you fall in, Italian brand Technogym is getting us reacquainted with this sport through its latest treadmill, Technogym Run, in hopes of turning all of us into running fanatics.

Truly a runner’s dream, the Technogym Run offers various workout modes and programmes tailored to each individual. Intrigued by the latest equipment, we popped into Technogym’s showroom at Mohamed Sultan Road to experience it for ourselves.

A full body workout was in order, one that began with a warm-up run. Stepping onto the sleek treadmill, it immediately felt robust—we didn’t feel any wobble or shake as we ran, regardless of our speed.

Speed and incline paddles are in front of the treadmill, easily accessible even while running. Apart from using the paddles, speed and incline can also be changed on the 27-inch Technogym Live console. To make it more convenient, the touchscreen also offers pre-set speeds. Changing the speed and incline was seamless, with the belt moving with little lag—perfect for sprint intervals.

Before starting the workout, we got to link the treadmill with our Technogym App, an everyday phone app that features our fitness progress, on-demand video workouts and personalised fitness plans. All we had to do was scan a QR code on the Technogym Live console screen which synced our information onto the treadmill. We were told that the app would help track the workout allowing us to see the progress we are making throughout the session.

On the console screen, we could also select on-demand video workouts, including trainer-led sessions that follow specific objectives. These sessions also adapt to individual user’s preferences.

While on the treadmill, we noticed that the belt on the Technogym Run comprises individual slats, rather than a continuous belt that can be found in most home treadmills. We were told that this slat-belt technology offers the same reactivity and elastic response as an athletic track. This means that there will be less impact on knees and shins while running on this treadmill than on the pavement. The belt was also long and wide, allowing for longer strides.

Our cardio workout was paired with resistance training, using Technogym Run’s push mode. This unique mode replicates a sled and allows you to add a resistance load of up to 55kg. The mode was able to focus on all parts of the body that would be used when pushing an actual sled. The treadmill’s multiple handles also allowed us to find the best position to effectively drive the belt forward.

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