Great Ski Holidays

Quick opinion: Best purpose-built resort in France. Best purpose built resort in the Alps? Well I'd go for Obertaun in Austria but it's a close run thing. Val Thorens has a little bit of everything. High, snowsure slopes in the Three Valleys with lots of skiing for all abilities, ski in / ski out accommodation and a very nice, well laid out village. You will have a great ski holiday with family or friends at Val Thorens. More

Quick opinion: A purpose built resort in Austria! Surely not. Well yes, but this is by no means souless France. Obertauern has been very nicely done, not without charm and some very convenient easy beginner and early intermediate skiing. Young families seeking an introduction to skiing can hardly go wrong. More

Quick opinion: If its not an early or late season trip and you don't need the snow-sure glacier above Kaprun, Stay in Zell am Zee, Kaprun's near neighbour down the valley. Its not that Kaprun is not nice, it's just that Zell can be an exceptional place to stay. Kaprun has more of an Austrian village vibe though so if that's your thing the village also offers snow-sure, late season Austrian skiing! Limited skiing, mind, but fine for a week if you're not a mile-hungry French motorway addict. More

Quick opinion: A rare beast this one. A tradional Austrian retreat with old world charm offering high snowsure skiing for most abilities. Think Thomas Mann's magic mountain without the angst. A perfect resort? Throw in modern facilities and very jolly tea-time apres ski and you have a resort which should be on most people's shortlist. More

Quick opinion: Modern, unremarkable but good value resort with high, snowsure and gentle slopes great for learning on. The glacier and the linked village slopes of Ponte di Legno offer needed variety and challenge. More

Quick opinion: Madonna is owned by Ferrari so no surprise that the place has a real Italian flair and a delicious dollop of la dolce vita. Set in the heart of the Brenta-Dolomites amidst stunning mountains, Madonna even without the lively village and appealing, flattering ski slopes would be a lovely place to visit. Add them to the mix and you have, arguably, Italy's finest ski resort. If you have never had the pleasure of skiing in Italy you cannot go far wrong by choosing Madonna as your first visit. Something unforgettable for everyone. More

Quick opinion: Austria's largest glacier ski area. Snowsure but also plenty of lower slopes for wild weather days when the glacier is shut down. Lots of unsploilt villages in the Stubai Valley offer ample choice for a base but don't overlook our favourite - Neustift. More

Quick opinion: Perfect Alpine village set amid stunning mountains. The village nursery slopes are broad, snowsure, gentle, long and even a little varied. We cannot think of a better place to learn and gain confidence. Lack of fast chairs higher up the mountain requires some walking to slopes and cable ways but don't be too put off as the views are spectacular. Runs down to the village are more difficult than graded on the piste map and can be nastily overcrowded. Take the cableways down if in any doubt. More

Quick opinion: For us one to avoid. Industrial French skiing at its worst. However for a huge number of Brits Les Deux Alpes offers something as it is immensely popular. On paper it offers high, snowsure, varied skiing with French mega-resort convenience, and in reality you get all of this, but something is missing in the overcrowded slopes which surround the village. More

Quick opinion: Great for a weekend trip due to its proximity to Geneva and suits good intermediate skiers very well. The village has overgrown its old boundaries somewhat but has not lost its charm. A good choice for groups with non-skiers too as lots of non-skiing activities are available. Consider its neighbour Les Diablerets too. More