BEST FOR INTERMEDIATES

La Plagne, France

Go high in La Plagne, a resort in the giant Paradiski ski area which celebrates its 20th anniversary this season. Improvers looking for more of a challenge can take advantage of the resort’s newly opened Glaciers gondola. Ascending from Roche de Mio, it gives faster access to the resort’s snow-sure red and black slopes just below the Bellecôte summit.

Ski Beat (01273 855100; skibeat.co. uk) offers stays at Chalet Arpette 1, sleeping up to six, near the chairlift in Plagne 1800, from £930. Departs January 13

St Anton, Austria

Book a newly launched rail package with Inghams on a morning train from London St Pancras to the legendary slopes of St Anton, via Paris and Zurich, arriving at around 9pm. The Rendl sector, on the southern side of the valley, is the ideal place for honing your ski legs, before tackling the trickier reds from Albonagrat.

Inghams (01483 319598; inghams.co.uk) offers stays at four-star Chalet Rendl Mountain Lodge, with wellness area, from £1,149. Departs January 6

Sauze d’Oulx, Italy

Up your confidence levels in this greatvalue resort overlooking the Susa valley in the linked Milky Way area, where open cruising pistes for intermediates combine with sheltered, tree-lined lower slopes. Free guiding is a bonus for guests staying at Chalet Hotel Edelweiss with Neilson.

Neilson (0333 014 3351; neilson.co.uk) offers stays at Chalet Hotel Edelweiss, 120m from the nearest lift, from £849. Departs January 7

Zermatt, Switzerland

Be among the first skiers to take a ride on the newly opened Matterhorn Alpine Crossing, unveiled in July, for a thrilling journey between Swiss Zermatt and its neighbouring Italian resort of Cervinia. The two resorts combine to make a paradise of wide, snow-sure and largely uncrowded blues and reds.

Ski Solutions (020 7471 7761; skisolutions.com) offers stays at four-star Hotel Daniela, with two restaurants, from £1,605, B&B. Departs December 9

Avoriaz, France

New developments at these intermediate-friendly slopes include a six-seater chair replacing the old Lac-Intrêts lift, plus a new mile-long red run, Le Creux de la Neige. Just under two hours from Geneva, this resort is an ideal snowsure option for a quick break.

Flexiski (01962 587777; flexiski.com) offers a three-night stay at Chalet Renard Blanc, with private chef, from £603. Excludes flights; departs January 22

g Visitors to Zermatt in Switzerland can enjoy a largely uncrowded intermediate's paradise