No matter where or when you go skiing or snowboarding there’s always a level of risk involved – it's an extreme sport, after all. Every week we’re inundated with videos of another brave skier or snowboarder hurtling down a cliff face or performing death-defying tricks, with snow-capped mountains in the background – but one group has taken that need for danger to another level.

In a new video, released on YouTube, it seems the mountains of traditional ski areas don’t provide enough of a challenge for skier Marc Tomas. Instead he took to Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, to carve a few turns alongside a torrent of flowing lava.

Mount Etna billows smoke Credit: © ROPI / Alamy Stock Photo/ROPI / Alamy Stock Photo

In the video you can see the molten rock bubbling beside Tomas, while the summit behind him launches a fiery display into the air. As he joins a group at the bottom he comes to a stop next to a huge mound of volcanic material – if we were him we wouldn’t be hanging around for too long.

Believe it or not, skiing on Mount Etna is quite popular – the south-facing side of the volcano, above Nicolosi, hasn’t been disturbed by ash or lava since 2004. There’s a gondola which takes snow sport fans up to 2,500m, and a tow which travels further towards the volcano's 3,340m peak. The ski area has 12km of slopes in total and five lifts, and the views? Understandably amazing.

Tomas isn’t the only person to take to volcanic terrain to practise his favourite pastime. In fact, there are a number of volcanoes around the world where you can ski or snowboard. Here's our pick of the peaks.

Mount Yotei, Niseko, Japan

The resort of Niseko, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, is one of the country’s most popular. Powder hounds, including Olympian Jenny Jones, flock to the area in search of the pristine snow on offer but also the chance to ski on the iconic Mount Yotei, an active volcano.

Mount Yotei towers over the landscape Credit: Keon Broke/Alamy

At 1,898m it’s the highest mountain in the region and has the longest vertical descent on the island. As we reported recently, Japan is transforming the backcountry skiing on offer to visitors, making it safer and more accessible.

Off the slopes, the volcanic activity in the area means there are numerous natural hot springs, known as onsens, for visitors to enjoy.

Telegraph logo This video content is no longer available To watch The Telegraph's latest video content please visit youtube.com/telegraph

Mount Elbrus, Caucasus, Russia

This Russian giant is the highest mountain on the European continent, reaching 5,642m at its highest point. The volcano is now mostly covered in glaciers and is no longer active, meaning that a lift system is able to provide access to slopes reaching 4,100m – higher than any other ski resort in the northern hemisphere. The lofty altitude means there’s skiing and snowboarding on offer until June – but be warned, the conditions are extreme, with cold temperatures and rough terrain.

Villarrica, Chile

The volcanic landscape of Villarrica in Chile is unlike any traditional ski resort – it’s the country’s most active volcano and is one of only a few in the world to have an active lava lake within its crater. Popular with skiers in summer, when northern hemisphere resorts turn into green farmland, it’s possible to hike right to the top of the crater (two hours from the mountain station), where you can see the magma bubbling away. After sunset, its orange glow lights up the night sky.

Villarrica's lava lake lights up the night sky Credit: STRINGER/CHILE

But beware when shredding near these natural giants. Last summer, a group of skiers in the Bío Bío region of Chile captured the moment the Nevados de Chillán volcano began to billow smoke, ash and gases as they skied on the neighbouring slopes.

Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand

On New Zealand’s North Island skiers and snowboarders will find Mount Ruapehu, the country’s largest active volcano, which rises up to 2,797m. There are three ski resorts, Whakapapa, Turoa and Tukino, and the base of the mountain is lined with rainforests – now there's an exotic twist to your ski holiday. The dramatic setting of Ruapehu won it a starring role in the Lord of the Rings films when director Peter Jackson used it as a stand-in for the ominous mountains of Mordor.