Great Ski Holidays

Quick opinion: In the heart of the huge ski welt area and arguably the best located for getting around the area Westendorf is a picture postcard traditional village. Think cosy, think cute, think quiet family holiday but also think rip-snorter local red slopes unsuitable for beginners. In short Westendorf is a great first for a family holiday whose members are very keen skiers. More

Quick opinion: The main village of the very scenic Stubai Valley, Neustift offers fairly traditional apres-ski and snowsure skiing late into the season courtesy of the excellent Stubai glacier. Perfect for a family trip at Easter in fact. More

Quick opinion: A geniune, unspoilt Austrian village great for low key, relaxing family holidays. Just enough skiing with a mere 14 lifts on limited local slopes. If you don't understand the attraction by all means go elsewhere; go to France, queue and mecilessly notch up soulless miles. Brand is great for honeymoons. 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: 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: With its venerable British ski club, Alpbach is a firm favourite with the British skiing old-guard; an old guard who prefer traditional charm, enjoyable intermediate skiing and relaxed family days. Certainly not glitz, glamour or worse; the anthesis of Alpbach.... France! The village has jolly Austrian apres ski too. More

Quick opinion: If you don't mind a short bus ride in the mornings Galtur offers great skiing for mixed ability families and groups. Better value than its neighbour Ischgl;a very pretty village and knockout scenery. A quiet night life, and snow can suffer on the local sunny slopes. 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: Classic 1970's ski resort greatly favoured by the British. Huge, extensive ski area with fantastic glacier skiing. The cableways at the village are not well connected so there is a lot of walking, and lift queues are the norm. Very popular with the young looking to party. More

Quick opinion: No village centre to speak of and expensive. Think German BMW skiers joylessly skiing the fairly challenging slopes around Zurs. Surely nearby Lech is where you want to be? Ah off-piste and extremely swanky accomodation you say? Ok, put Zurs back on the short list! More