Austria is a fantastic holiday destination for beginners and intermediates who like to ski and then enjoy one of the most raucous apres-ski scenes in the world. With some great glaciers and recently updated snow-making facilities, many resorts have snow from early in the season until late - some glacial resorts offer summer skiing as well.

The Austrian resorts are sympathetic to their surroundings so you won't find the imposing apartment block feel of many French resorts here. The accommodation available in hotels, guest houses and catered chalets are all normally good value and of a dependable standard.

Apres-ski starts early here and it isn't unusual to see people settled into a bar by 3 or 4pm, particularly at those places that start to pump out loud music around that time such as the Krazy Kanguruh in St Anton. For a more laidback end to your day, there are other mountain restaurants offering a more peaceful haven, where you can enjoy the view and wind down over a few mugs of gluhwein.