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Resort altitude: 1300m
Highest lift: 2650m
Kms of piste: 270
Lifts: 86
Closest airports: Innsbruck is 106km away (1 hour 30 minutes by train, slightly less by road); Friedrichshafen (Germany) is 130km away (1 hour 30 minutes by road); Zurich is 200km away (2 hours 30 minutes by road, three hours by train).
...travelling to St Anton
Skier level: good challenging intermediate slopes including some unpisted ski routes to build up off-piste confidence, fantastic off-piste. Less appealing to beginners/children although there are beginner slopes and Rendl mountain has several lovely blue runs.
...skiing and snowboarding in St Anton
Where to stay: There are numerous pensions in the village. Choose one in ‘Dorf' (around the centre) or Nasserein (the suburb adjoining the eastern end of the resort; still convenient for the slopes and centre. Details can be found at www.stantonamarlberg.com. Good mid-range hotels, including Aparthotel Anton right next to the main lift. Rates are reasonable, including good deals for single rooms. Skihotel Galzig is also convenient for the slopes.
...accommodation in St Anton
Weekend tour operators: White Roc, Flexiski, Supertravel, St Anton Chalets, Crystal and Iglu Ski.
Where to eat: Pizza Pomodoro - everything you'd expect from a great Italian kitchen where pizza dough and pasta are made on the premises.
...dining out in St Anton
Where to drink: Anton bar - popular bar right at the base of Galzigbahn. DJ from 4-9pm. There's a good range of beers as well as excellent cocktails.
...bars in St Anton
Best of all: the endless and varied off-piste available in the Arlberg.
Resort altitude: 745m
Highest lift: 2700m
Kms of piste: 860
Lifts: 88
Closest airports: Salzburg is the closest at around an hour away by road. Linz and Graz are around 163km away (between two and two and a half hours away).
...travelling to Schladming
Skier level: Intermediate runs make up most of the runs in the immediate ski area surrounding the resort although there are some great free riding opportunities on the glacier.
...skiing and snowboarding in Schladming
Where to stay: In the centre, try the Haus Alexander or a mid-range hotel. Nearby Ramsau (1200m), Pension Hoffelner offers excellent value and runs weekend/mid-week packages.
...accommodation in Schladming
Weekend tour operators: Travel Action and Iglu Ski.
Where to eat: Just off the main pedestrian area, you'll find Marias Mexican, for classic Mexican food - meaty ribs, rump steak and the rest. The bar gets busy after 9pm so you might have to stand and eat, but the atmosphere is great and food is served until 2am.
...dining out in Schladming
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Resort altitude: 1035m
Highest lift: 3840m
Kms of piste: 147
Lifts: 47
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Resort altitude: 1200m
Highest lift: 2300m
Kms of piste: 650
Lifts: 209
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Resort altitude: 1000mResort altitude: 1850m
Highest lift: 3445m
Kms of piste: 300
Lifts: 90
Closest airports (for non-Sat flights): Chambery (from Birmingham and Southampton) is 134km and just under two hours' drive, Geneva is about 170km and just under three hours' drive.
...travelling to Tignes
Skier level: The Espace Killy has it all - free nursery slopes, huge range of intermediate runs, difficult blacks and some great off-piste.
...skiing and snowboarding in Tignes
Where to stay: Chalet Le Dome (Les Boisses) run by Tignes.co.uk from £179 pp. for 4 nights with any day start. A large alpine chalet in the lower village of Les Boisses that is 30m away from the slopes of the Espace Killy. Mention ‘Mad Dog Ski' when booking for Chalet Le Dome to receive a 5% discount.
...accommodation in Tignes
Weekend tour operators:
Where to eat: L'Armailly (Les Brevieres). A charming Savoyard restaurant with a large menu and reasonable prices. Main courses include brochette of king prawns and scallops as well as an excellent selection of pizzas and pastas.
...dining out in Tignes
Where to drink: Catch the free bus up to Le Lac for a drink in The Loop bar for some chilled tunes and a kicking happy hour.
...bars in Tignes
Best of all: The challenging ski area and great off-piste action.
Tignes overview
Resort altitude: 1850m
Highest lift: 3300m
Kms of piste: 300
Lifts: 97
Closest airports (for non-Sat flights): Chambery (from Birmingham and Southampton) is 141km and just two hours' drive, Geneva is about 177km and three hours' drive.
...travelling to Val d'Isere
Skier level: The Espace Killy is absolutely massive, and for this reason has free nursery slopes, a huge range of intermediate runs, difficult blacks and some great off-piste.
...skiing and snowboarding in Val d'Isere
Where to stay: Les Cretes-Blanches and Les Sorbiers both offer weekend accommodation in low to mid season.
...accommodation in Val d'Isere
Weekend tour operators: Alpine Weekends and White Roc.
Where to eat: Le Belle Etoile has an excellent reputation for being a friendly gourmet restaurant offering a mix of French/Asian cuisine in a low-key atmosphere.
...dining out in Val d'Isere
Where to drink: Dicks Tea Bar is the legendary bar/nightclub in Val. Go for apres-ski and stay until 4am! A great place to go for cheap drinks.
...bars in Val d'Isere
Best of all: The challenging ski area and great off-piste action.
Resort altitude: 1500m
Highest lift: 3330m
Kms of piste: 412km
Lifts: 97
Closest airports: Geneva is the closest and most accessible airport to Verbier with good transfer links. At 170km from the resort, it takes around two hours to drive, or three hours by train with 1-2 changes.
...travelling to Verbier
Skier level: The 4 Vallees ski area has 412km of piste, connecting Verbier to numerous other resorts, making it an excellent place for all levels of skier to learn or advance.
...skiing and snowboarding in Verbier
Where to stay: Le Farinet boasts one of the most popular apres-ski bars in resort, is a good mid-range option.
...accommodation in Verbier
Weekend tour operators: White Roc or The Snow Company.
Where to eat: En bas, the notorious downstairs bar of Pub Mont Fort, makes a surprisingly successful switch to a smart, new-world restaurant. Upstairs, the budget food is also good, though more of the sandwich and burger variety.
...dining out in Verbier
Where to drink: Le Farinet is a great place for apres-ski. A generous happy hour kick-starts the evening, and there are regular live bands. If that sounds too upbeat for you, settle into the leather sofas in the lounge bar.
...bars in Verbier
Best of all: It's definitely worth booking into a mountain refuge hut and getting first tracks in the morning.
Verbier overview...
