ST ANTON
This Austrian party town is closer to Zurich and Innsbruck than people realise. Possibly the best destination for a weekend of partying and hard skiing, it provides nonstop on and off slope action. You will need serious rest after a weekend here. Best for expert skiers; beginners should go elsewhere. www.stantonamarlberg.com
FLAINE
Close to Geneva. Do not be put off by the French resort’s concrete Bauhaus-style architecture. The ski area is fantastic, a number of more appealing, chalet-style four and five-star properties are springing up and you can always stay in prettier outlying villages such as Les Carroz or Samoëns. www.flaine.com
MÉRIBEL
France’s Les Trois Vallées are almost ruled out for a quick getaway because of the lengthy transfer from Geneva. But Méribel has an altiport and a plane hop from Geneva can be cheaper than a taxi. See how many of the Trois Vallées’ 630km of runs you can manage to squeeze in. And stay in a chalet – this is chalet central. www.meribel.net
COURMAYEUR
This gem of a resort is a little further away but still reachable. Just through the Mont Blanc tunnel in Italy, it is less than two hours from Geneva and is fab for shopping. Top for people watching, particularly the finely clad Milanese, who descend at weekends. Perfect for piste-bashing intermediates. www.courmayeur-montblanc.com
VAL D’ISÈRE
Close to Chambéry, this French resort has some of the best skiing in the world on its doorstep. L’Espace Killy lift passes cover Tignes too, in case there is not enough to entertain you in Val for 48 hours: Tignes is also more snowboard friendly. Val has fabulous off-piste but is also ideal for cautious intermediates. www.valdisere.com
LA CLUSAZ
Very French and relatively undiscovered by Brits, La Clusaz is less than an hour away from Geneva. It is also set in pretty countryside – the Aravis mountains are softer and smaller than the jagged Mont Blanc massif and dotted with gorgeous chalets. Lots of Gallic charm. The resort is great for intermediates. www.laclusaz08.com
CHAMONIX
The French Alpine mecca is a bit of a push for a weekend but it is nonnegotiable for the die-hard ski fanatic. Out of this world skiing and off-piste make it well worth the journey. Stay up the valley in Argentière to be really close to the Grands Montets – the best mountain in Cham. www.chamonix.com
ENGELBERG
This resort in Switzerland is strangely underrated. It is excellent for off-piste hounds and good intermediates and, crucially, is close to Zurich. A pretty, two-and-a-half-hour train ride (less by car) brings you to a resort with awesome off-piste and one of the longest verticals in the Alps. www.engelberg.ch
ALPE D’HUEZ
There is skiing and boarding for everybody at this French resort, close to both Grenoble and Lyons, although it is particularly good for beginners. Not a classically charming resort but it is in the big league, offering a giant variety of slopes. It is also blessed with plenty of sunshine. www.alpedhueznet.com
ZELL AM SEE
This Austrian destination is extraordinarily pretty, located beside a lake and very close to Salzburg. Kaprun is just up the road, with its glacier offering snow-sure skiing and more slopes. Zell, itself, is slightly limited, certainly for the adventurous expert. www.zellamsee-kaprun.com
