Where and When

The most important factor to help you make the most of your skiing holiday is SNOW!

At the very beginning of the skiing season (end of November to the middle of December) some destinations may not have had an ample snow fall for ideal powder conditions. To avoid this, stay clear of the low European resorts such as Bulgaria, Andorra or Some Austrian resorts. An ideal resort height to look at this time of year is approx 1500 metres; you will find many of these resorts in France, Switzerland or Italy. This will also apply to the end of the season (mid March to April) when spring Arrives and the snow turns to slush. 

 The resort does not have to be enormously high to ensure good snow conditions  - north facing slopes and the situation of the valley can also play a role. 

 If you can only travel at these times or for those working to a tight budget, as this is usually the cheapest time of year to ski, most villages now have snowmaking machines (snow cannons), or look for “guaranteed snow” this is mainly glacier skiing or high altitude resorts. Alternatively you can stay in a lower village but take the bus or ski lifts to a more snow sure resort on a daily basis, an area lift pass will help you achieve the best the slopes have to offer and let you ski a linked mountain range such as the Milky Way, Three Valleys or Espace killy. 

If you don’t fancy getting on the bus, or a short walk to the lifts ask about hotels that are “ski in, ski out” with these properties you can literally ski to the back door!

To find out more, up to the minute weather conditions and detailed resort info, log on to www.skiclub.co.uk