Eight Great Winter Events To See and Be Seen

Who says winter in the Alps is all about skiing? The chic and glamorous St. Moritz will be a hive of activity off the slopes in January and February when it hosts three major winter events―the 26th St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow, the White Turf Thoroughbred Racing Weekends, and its Annual Gourmet Festival. The polo (on the weekend of January 28th) and racing (over three consecutive weekends from February 7th) will take place on the vast frozen expanse of Lake St. Moritz, just below Badrutt's Palace Hotel, making this iconic and luxe retreat the perfect place to stay for all three events. The 17th Annual Gourmet Festival (from February 1st to 5th) will be a flurry of exotic flavors with leading chefs cooking up some heart-warming dishes in the snow-clad streets of St. Moritz. Of course, there's fabulous skiing in between events, and lots of vin chaud on hand to keep the chills at bay.

January 28th – February 21st, 2010.

I can't think of a better way to spend a wet winter's day than at the annual London Art Fair which marks the start of the art world year in the UK. Established in 1988, this unique artfest held at the Business Design Centre in Islington showcases the cream of Modern British and Contemporary art, bringing together the works of established artists and emerging talent. The Main Fair is the centerpiece, attracting more than 20,000 attendees from leading public museums, galleries and private institutions to serious art collectors and those who simply enjoy art. More than 100 hand-picked galleries will exhibit this year with many of the works available for purchase at the fair. Tip: Don't miss ArtProjects―one of the most exciting sections with solo, group and large scale installations from London, New York, Dresden and Munich, and Photo50 showcasing 50 contemporary photographers.

January 13th – 17th, 2010.

As if Miami isn't hot enough in the winter, it really sizzles during the annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival, when some of America's top chefs and more than 50,000 people gather for a four-day celebration (read non-stop party) of the wine, spirits and food industries. The roll-call of celebrity chefs reads like a culinary bible―Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Guy Fieri, Paula Deen, Daniel Boulud, Ming Tsai, Sandra Lee and top cocktail mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim―will mix, stir and shake up an array of drinks, dishes and entertainment during what is now the biggest food and wine festival in the US. The theme tips its hat to Miami's spicy Latin and Caribbean heritage, but there's something here for everyone. Plus, it's all for a good cause, raising much-needed funds for the Florida International University's School of Hospitality.

February 25th – 28th, 2010.

Toronto needs every excuse it can get its mitts on to warm up the frigid winter season, and the annual WinterCity Festival is just the ticket. The central them is a celebration of culture, cuisine and creativity with tens of thousands of residents and visitors ignoring the bitter cold and snow and enjoying 14 days of fun and festivities. It's actually three festivals in one: The WOW! Series at Nathan Phillips Square offers free outdoor and indoor entertainment including concerts and eye-catching street theater; The Warm Up Series features performances, events and discounted admissions at some of Toronto's best attractions; and Winterlicious is a fab dining promotion at many of the city's restaurants with fixed price menus. This is a great time to be in Toronto, but prepare to wrap up warm.

January 29th – February 11th, 2010.

Japan is becoming a hot-ticket ski destination, but winter brings a show-stopping event which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2010. The Sapporo Snow Festival, on the island of Hokkaido, has become one of Japan's biggest winter events since its humble beginnings in 1950 when a group of local high school students built six snow statues in Odori Park. Today, this spectacular festival attracts some of the world's most talented and creative sculptors, who turn vast blocks of ice and snow into amazing statues and structures from small animals to life-size temples. The festival lasts for seven days from February 5th-11th, turning the park into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice and snow.

February 5th – 11th, 2010.

My beloved puppy has a little way to go before he's up to the competition standard of The Westminster Dog Show (give him some time and he'll show 'em!), but this iconic showcase of pure-bred pooches is a must for all dog owners and lovers. 2010 marks the 134th anniversary of the show―it's the second longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, just one year behind the Kentucky Derby―and attracts the cream of competition dogs from across the country. Held at Madison Square Garden over two days on February 15th and 16th, the show is the world's greatest collection of dogs assembled each year in the same place and the same time with 2,500 entrants from 173 breeds―all vying for that coveted Best in Show trophy. The judging takes throughout the competition with the grand prize decided on the second evening.

February 15th & 16th, 2010.

There's no better way to keep warm in winter than to get up and dance (especially when it's a sexy and sultry tango!) and that's exactly what the people of Buenos Aires do each February at the city's annual Tango Festival. This nine-day event attracts top dancers from around the world as well as BA's milongueros, the local experts, who show off their tango skills and credentials on stage and on the streets of one of my favorite and most exciting cities. A showcase of dancing, concerts, exhibitions, classes and a film festival, the event is a fabulous opportunity to watch, listen and learn about this intense, moody and passionate dance. There are two categories of competition―Salon Tango and Stage Tango―the first of which celebrates the social aspect and the latter promoting new values and techniques. Most of the events are free.

February 27th – March 7th, 2010.

Aspen and winter go together like cheese and wine, and it's a marriage made in alpine heaven during Winterskol, Aspen's annual winter festival. The locals describe it as “a toast to winter”, a delightful way of saying you are in for four days of fun, both and off the slopes. The event harks back to the early 1950s, when a group of Aspenites decided their mountain lifestyle was worth celebrating, and has since grown into a major entertainment and culinary festival. The schedule is packed with activities from a parade to a canine fashion show, Soupskol competition, music, fireworks and a spectacular torchlight descent of Aspen Mountain. Pack your skis, party gear and prepare for a super-fun weekend.

January 14th – 17th, 2010.