My favourite of all the resorts at which I've skied is Zermatt, Switzerland. While this is not as well interlinked as the big French resorts, though the new lifts have made the link between the Gornergrat and Trockenersteg possible, it has a huge skiing area with many remote runs and some of the toughest marked pistes anywhere, many now unfortunately designated as itinerary routes.

The area is remarkable for the number of top class mountain restaurants dotted about the slopes.

Apres ski is unsurpassable but don't let the wife and kids loose among the shops with your credit card.

Electric taxis whisk you around this car-free resort and they are a good way of accessing the different lift systems.

Try the highest lift served skiing in Europe from the Kleine Matterhorn or pop over to Cervinia, in Italy, for some motorway skiing and a plate of pasta.

This is not a place for beginners but strong intermediates and above will love the rugged skiing on offer. Off-piste is superb but you should hire a guide!