There's plenty more to be done on the snowy slopes than skiing; here are some alternative winter activities to keep you thoroughly entertained.

Heli-skiing
You'll feel both smug and refreshed as you ascend by helicopter away from the busy slopes below, leaving the crowds and heading for pristine powder high in the mountains. Heli-ski experiences don't often come particularly cheap but are ideal if you want to hit untouched ski areas and have plenty of space to yourself. Non-skiers can benefit from the concept too, by going on a wintery heli-hike; grab some snow-shoes, hop on board and you're ready to create brand new footprints in the snowy wilderness.
Where to try it: RK Heli-ski, based in the Canadian resort of Panorama, are old hands. Their helicopters have been whisking skiiers and 'boarders to the heights of the Rockies for 37 years - and their hearty helipad-side restaurant is the perfect place for a post-ski refuel.

Cat-skiing
Working on a similar idea to heli-skiing, this one entails hitching a ride on a Snow Cat, a monster of a vehicle on caterpillar tracks which can haul visitors into high terrain where there are no ski lifts to the top. Again, key benefits are the chance to ski in pristine powder conditions and dodge the crowds that crop up at many resorts.
Where to try it: The backcountry lodge of Island Lake Resort in British Columbia, Canada has been running cat-skiing trips for two decades; after a day of hitting the slopes in the glorious local wilderness you'll get to relax in log cabin luxury and a spa. Speciality tours on offer here include "Girlski tours", ideal for a ladies-only weekend away, with fine dining and yoga classes thrown in.

Dog-sledding
If all forms of skiing strike you as just too much effort, you could always let some huskies take over the hard work. Dog-sledding is another fantastic way to get out into the backwoods and enjoy the snowy scenery, and dog lovers will enjoy getting to meet and greet those ever-eager huskies. Many operators will let you command the dogs yourself rather than just being a backseat passenger - just remember to cry "hike!" instead of "mush!", or your canine guides will know you're an amateur. This pursuit requires a healthy layer of snow so that the sleighs can run smoothly, so your best bet is to plan a sledding trip in the depths of winter.
Where to do it: Go to the dogs at lovely Jackson Hole, USA, where several operators including Continental Divide Dog Sled Adventures offer a variety of one-day or overnight trips.