Now join the cool set

AS THE leaves fall and the excitement rises, winter-sports fans are anticipating the magical moment when they conquer the mountain, stand on the top and see for ever.

Across the Alps and far beyond, British skiers and snowboarders will be laughing with friends over home-cooked meals in chalets at the end of the day. Children will finish ski school, breathless with delight.

Some will snowplough or catch their first edge – and some will have just as much fun on their 25th ski holiday as they did on their first.

When it comes to winter breaks, nothing beats waking up in the mountains to an azure sky, crisp air and breathtaking scenery blanketed in that lovely white stuff.

The everyday world slides out of mind as the grey skies of home are swapped for the swish of skis and far-reaching views across bumpy, snow-clad Alpine skylines.

Of course, for the ultimate mountain buzz, it’s vital to find the ski or snowboarding holiday that’s right for you. So choosing an expert operator is all-important – just one reason why you’re sure to ‘get more winter’ when you book with Crystal Ski Holidays.

Crystal is the biggest ski operator on the market, with more than 30 years’ experience – and it will be taking customers to 126 resorts across 13 countries this winter.

It’s a company that’s dedicated to helping its customers get more out of life, feel empowered and make the most of every day in the mountains.

With Crystal, you’ll get more choice, value and reassurance, whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned pro. And you’ll benefit from huge flexibility that enables you to create the tailored holiday you want.

Crystal’s packages include flights, transfers and a wide range of accommodation. And it can organise all the extras, too, including lift passes, ski and snowboard equipment, and tuition.

What’s more, Crystal is about giving support, expertise and knowledge, before, during and after the holiday – to make sure you get more winter.

The website is top-notch – and the custom-made Crystal Ski Explorer app is a goldmine of useful information, including piste maps, a ski route planner, live lift info, snow conditions and weather forecasts.

It’s written by staff who live and breathe snowsports, so it’s like having the mountain in your pocket! Plus, it’s easy to make contact by email, Twitter or phone. And lots of the resorts have Crystal reps based there who are contactable 24/7, in case you need anything during your trip.

So Crystal has got your back, while offering all the choice, value and reassurance you could want to empower a peak holiday experience.

Get more winter at crystalski.co.uk or call 020 8610 3135.

CHOOSE YOUR MOUNTAIN

FRANCE’S major resorts have big ski areas to keep everyone busy, no matter what your ability. For seasoned pros there is high-altitude skiing and some of the best glaciers in the world. The hot news is that a new generation of polished mid-range hotels and luxury apartments is sweeping through our favourite French resorts.

AUSTRIA is dotted with authentic ski towns and villages, whose character has developed over generations. Large, linked ski areas offer an endless choice of runs, and the ski and snowboard schools are superb. Food and drink are great value, both on and off the mountain. And there are traditional festivals throughout the season, such as the Hahnenkamm race weekend in Kitzbuhel.

LIFE ON THE EDGE: Ploughing through the powdery snow, left, and heading home after an exhilarating day on the slopes, above

IN ITALY, minimal lift queues make for more time on the slopes, kept in top shape by state-of-theart snowmaking. Enjoy the amazing Italian hospitality and reasonably priced food.

These are Crystal’s most popular destinations, but the company can also transport customers to the magical winter wonderland of Finland, to the USA – home of perfect, powdery snow – and to Andorra, where the sun shines for a record amount of time. New options this year include divine skiing at Heavenly on the CaliforniaNevada border and above Lake Tahoe, the highest lake in the USA.

And you can now ski the beautiful, unspoiled landscape of Sweden with Crystal. Choose from two family-friendly resorts, Are and Vemdalen. Nowhere in Europe is the skiing quite as effortlessly cool as in Sweden.