The world’s greatest ski holidays

Whether you are a nervous novice or fearless thrill-seeker, Sophie Butler guides you down the slopes

Here we are again. On the brink of a new ski season, full of anticipation for those fluttering flakes, for the resorts to open and for that first run on powder. It won’t be long until you’re surrounded by perfectly groomed corduroy, with the high peaks silhouetted against the blue sky, breathing in the sharp chill of the fresh mountain air and listening to the satisfying crunch of fresh snow as you clip on your skis and feel your muscle memory kick in after long months away.

There’s plenty of exciting news from the slopes, and within the following pages you’ll find 30 of the best holidays to suit every kind of skier and snowboarder – from the nervous novice finding their ski legs to the fearless thrill-seeker looking for the excitement of remote off-piste.

There’s also a selection of this season’s best options for families, whether you’re looking for home-from-home accommodation for young children, with crèches and supervised activities, or are travelling with older children who want friendly, English-speaking ski schools and some independent après to mingle with new friends and have fun.

We also have a holiday for every budget, showing you how to find more bang for your buck in the unflashy Haute Maurienne region of France, in the Spanish Pyrenees or in the Italian Dolomites. Meanwhile, those who aren’t counting the pennies can find top-notch spa hotels in Switzerland or high-end North American resorts such as Aspen – which, by the way, opens a brand new 60-hectare ski area this season. And if you want something completely different, then how about a luxury eco-lodge in the spectacular wilds of northern Iceland?

Whatever type of holiday you are looking for, there are exciting options. What are you waiting for? Scour our selection to find the holiday that best suits you and prepare to make the very most of the flakes.

Arinsal, Andorra

Find your snow legs alongside other first-timers on a newly introduced, tailor-made beginners’ week aimed at nervous novices with Crystal in Arinsal, a mountain village with high-altitude nursery slopes, good ski schools and lively après.

Crystal Ski Holidays (020 3451 1821; crystalski.co.uk) offers a Slope Starter week staying at three-star Hotel Montané, a six-minute ride to the ski school meeting point and nursery slopes, from £845. Departs January 21

Obergurgl, Austria

Pick this classic first-timers’ resort for its two top-notch beginner areas (one in the resort centre, the other accessed by chairlift), English-speaking ski school instructors and lower slopes, which are wide and treeless. The resort is one of the highest ski villages in Europe and oozes Austrian charm.

I-Ski (020 3666 1896; i-ski.co.uk) offers stays at five-star ski-in/ski-out Hotel Edelweiss and Gurgl, with spa and indoor pool, from £1,981. Departs January 6

Les Deux Alpes, France

Hone your skills on a new green slope, which winds down from 2,100 metres under the Vallée Blanche lift in Les Deux Alpes. A big plus point for beginners in this snow-sure resort is that the beginner pistes sit at a high altitude, rather than at resort level, which means great views and more reliable snow for first-timers.

Sno (020 7770 6888; sno.co.uk) offers stays at Résidence Neige et Soleil, four minutes’ walk to the ski school meeting point, from £639, self-catering, based on full occupancy of an apartment sleeping six. Departs March 9

Trysil, Norway

Enrol on the beginners’ programme offered by singles specialist Friendship Travel in the Norwegian resort of Trysil, where gentle slopes and English-speaking ski schools give first-timers a more relaxed introduction than busier Alpine resorts.

Friendship Travel (0289 446 2211; friendshiptravel.com) offers stays at the four-star Radisson Blu Resort, a ski-in/ ski-out hotel with swimming pool and four restaurants, from £2,995, based on sole occupancy. Departs February 24

Morzine, France

Tackle the gentle slopes at Pleney in this family-friendly resort in the Portes du Soleil ski area. For 2023-24, a new carpet lift has been installed near the Nabor lift, giving beginners a more comfortable way to access the Penguin Park learning area.

VIP Ski (0203 820 0030, vip-chalets. com) offers stays at Valdez Suite, an apartment sleeping four in the resort centre, with a spacious open-plan living area, from £1,205. Excludes travel; departs January 14

i White stuff: hitting the fresh powder in Les Deux Alpes ski resort in France

Learning the slopes: the snow-sure resort Les Deux Alpes is great for first-time skiers

Seven-night prices are per person based on two sharing, or on two adults and two children for family breaks, including flights, transfers and half board, unless stated otherwise, and are subject to availability.