ST ANTON, AUSTRIA
St Anton is a resort of superlatives. One of the snowiest destinations in the Alps, it offers the best skiing for experts. Exuding a chocolate-box charm, it is the capital of après-ski with delightful chalets to rent. The peculiarly named Anthony’s Life & Style adds to the resort’s growing list of aspirational hotels, and also boasts a good steak house, pizzeria, bar with a DJ, and spa. Leather, stone, wood and glass – along with Tyrolean felt and loden – are used for the cool design, with a colour scheme of cream, dove grey, and hot pink. At the other end of the spectrum is Hotel Montjola, which has received a complete facelift, and its cosy interiors have a fresh, contemporary look. Only a few minutes’ stroll from the lifts and the centre of town, its position, in full sunshine and with panoramic views, also ensures peace and quiet.
BEST FOR PARTY-LOVERS
SIERRA NEVADA, SPAIN
On a clear day you can see across to North Africa from the top of the ski area at the Andalusian resort of Sierra Nevada, mainland Europe’s southernmost ski region. The resorts of Marbella and Málaga are under two hours away, making it feasible to get your fill of ski and sea in the same day. When weather conditions are right, this is a great-value destination for beginners as well as intermediates. Hotel El Lodge is the place to stay. At 2,100 metres above sea level, this is an atmospheric retreat with 20 wood-panelled rooms and a branch of the Suite Lounge, Marbella’s fashionable nightclub.