BEST FOR EXPERTS

Whistler, Canada

Rise to the challenge of alpine bowls, chutes and tree skiing in Canada’s most famed resort on a two-day course geared to advanced skiers. Included in the price is video analysis, free-riding tuition and an introduction to the best snow in the company of an experienced and knowledgeable guide.

Ski Safari (01273 224060; skisafari. com) offers stays at three-star Aava Hotel from £1,995, room only, including a two-day Extremely Canadian Steep Skiing Clinic. Departs March 14

Verbier, Switzerland

A five-day course at the world-famous Warren Smith Academy can help even the best skiers hone their skills and techniques in a variety of challenging terrains. Participants are individually assessed to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.

Warren Smith Ski Academy (00 44 7747 809545; warrensmith-skiacademy. com) offers a five-day course from £697 with accommodation in three-star Hotel Rotonde. Excludes travel; departs January 22

Aspen Snowmass, US

Colorado’s smartest resort sees the opening of a high-speed quad chairlift accessing the north face of Aspen Mountain this season. An enticing 150acre playground for experts includes new chutes, glades and trails, which are set to increase the skiable terrain by more than 20 per cent – the biggest development of the resort since 1985.

American Ski Classics (020 8607 9988; americanskiclassics.com) offers the centrally located four-star Limelight Hotel, from £5,506, room only, including lift pass and equipment rental. Departs February 24

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Be one of the first to try the newly opened touring itinerary in this chic Italian resort that will co-host the 2026 Winter Olympics. Located in the north-eastern Dolomites, the Cortina-Alta Badia tour takes in the Torri ski area from Mount Lagazuoi to Tofane. Experienced skiers will relish trying the area’s dizzying black runs as well as plenty of challenging off-piste.

Skiline (020 8313 3999; skiline.co.uk) offers stays at Hotel Parc Victoria, a chalet-hotel dating back to the 1890s, from £1,189. Departs January 6

Nagano, Japan

Head east to try out Powder Byrne’s newly launched Japanese Ski Safari programmes, geared towards the most experienced skiers with extensive black run and off-piste experience. Tours are accompanied by private, English-speaking guides and include options in Hokkaido, Tohoku and Nagano – all of which are blessed by the nation’s legendary powder snow.

Powder Byrne (020 8246 5300; powderbyrne.com) offers an eightnight Nagano Ski Safari, with three nights each in Hakuba and in Nozawa, and two nights in Tokyo, from £4,995, excluding meals and flights, including a day’s sightseeing in Tokyo. Departures between January 22 and 30

gWhistler is the largest ski area in North America j Powder play: Aspen Snowmass has boosted its skiable terrain by more than 20 per cent