Conveniently close, the French Alps are an excellent choice for a winter sports break. Their stylish ski resorts suit every level of skier and their charming hotels are as welcoming to families as they are to couples.

Conveniently close, the French Alps are an excellent choice for a winter sports break. Their stylish ski resorts suit every level of skier and their charming hotels are as welcoming to families as they are to couples. The delectable cuisine and wine are added enticements.

Austria's quaint alpine villages, warm hospitality, fun après-ski and breathtaking scenery await in the Austrian Alps which are suitable for all levels of skier.

A traditional favourite with skiers who return year after year, Austria’s most famous resorts are just as suitable for beginners, intermediates and experts alike.

Switzerland is as famous for its fairy-tale scenery and backdrop of crystal clear skies as it is for cuckoo clocks. Skiing here is stylish and sophisticated and it’s hotel choice second to none. In our chosen Swiss ski resorts the skiing is first-class, the luxury hotels are in high demand, the shops are irresistible and the night life elegantly low-key. All good reasons why you should make your booking early to this popular and fashionable destination.

America’s resorts offer skiing for all levels, with vast mountain ranges and spectacular natural beauty giving the ultimate skiing experience, enhanced by exclusive boutiques and fashionable bars.

Skiing in Canada is informal and fun; set against a backdrop of astonishing scenery, it’s a good choice for families, offering everything from learner slopes to vertical runs.

1. The Lodge - Verbier, Switzerland

Sir Richard Branson's mountain retreat in Verbier, perched high in the Swiss Alps, is the perfect year-round escape. Complete with nine stunning bedrooms and suites, an indoor pool, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis and a friendly team of experienced staff including an activities coordinator, spa therapist and chef trained by Raymond Blanc, The Lodge is a true alpine paradise.
Accommodation : 7 luxury bedrooms and 2 Master Suites. An additional six children can be accommodated in the kid's bunkroom.

2. Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Canada

This magnificent resort is nestled at the foot of Blackcomb Mountain, site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The guest rooms, suites and townhouses of this AAA 5 Diamond Resort are generously sized, with cosy interiors and gas-burning fireplaces. All accommodation offers views of the mountains, forest, valley, pool or courtyard from private or step-out balconies. The spa at Facilities include a Vichy shower, hydrotherapy and massage rooms. An exclusive Ski Concierge means you never need worry about your ski equipment. Children are also well entertained with fun filled nights including dinner, arts and crafts, movies, games and stories. Fifty Two 80 Bistro offers alpine views from its fire-lit setting.
Accommodation: 273 Guest Rooms

3. Hotel Kristiania, Lech - Austria

Hotel Kristiania has a modern, artistic atmosphere. Only a five minute walk to the gondolas, no effort has been spared to provide an individual home away from home for winter-sports enthusiasts. Guest rooms are complemented by original antiques and contemporary art and overlook either the village of Lech or the peaceful mountains. Excellent modern international cuisine and fine wines are served in the restaurant, whilst The Bar and Lounge are the perfect place to relax after a day on the slopes. Children are well catered for with a dedicated activity programme, menu and refreshment centre.
Accommodation: 30 Guest Rooms

4. The Little Nell - Aspen, Colorado

Blending the virtues of an intimate country inn with the indulgences of a grand hotel, The Little Nell is Aspen’s only ski-in/ski-out property. The Little Nell occupies a prime slope-side location nestled at the foot of Aspen mountain. Each of its 92 rooms and suites are decorated in a warm and comfortable style and feature cosy gas log fires, deluxe sofas, oversized beds with fluffy duvets and pillows, and views to the village or mountains. Leisure facilities at the hotel include a health club with gym equipment and massage rooms, Jacuzzi and heated outdoor swimming pool. The Ski Concierge Team is only steps away from the Gondola and ready to assist with all of you ski requests from lessons to equipment storage. Dining choices include casual snacks in front of the fireplace at The Living Room, fresh seafood and fondue at The Terrace Bar at Little Nell and Rocky Mountain Artisan cuisine at Montagna Restaurant; a favourite for locals and visitors alike. The cuisine is complemented by a 15,000 wine bottle cellar overseen by the Master Sommelier. On-mountain dining is available at Bonnie's and the Sundeck cafeteria.
Accommodation: 92 Guest Rooms

5. Les Barmes de l'Ours Hotel - Val d Isére, France

An eye for design and a slew of great facilities make this stylish hotel the toast of Val d'Isère. Les Barmes de l’Ours, ‘the bear’s caves’, has now become one of the smartest places to stay in Val d’Isère. Take your pick of luxurious rooms or suites in four designs: North American-style lodges, contemporary lofts, Scandinavian chic or classic alpine chalets. All rooms have a plasma TV and internet access and some suites feature a Jacuzzi and fireplace. They include one of the largest spas in the French Alps, with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, hammam, sauna and a wide range of massages and beauty treatments, an on-site ski shop and three restaurants including the gourmet La Table d'Ours as well as the Sofa Bar.
Accommodation: 49 Guest Rooms and 27 Suites

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