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Cervinia, in Italy’s Aosta Valley, is by no means the most attractive of resorts but a combination of year-round sunshine, glacier skiing, high-altitude and reliable snow make it worth a visit. Situated on the Swiss-Italian border, visitors can ski over to neighbouring Zermatt for a day trip when the intermediate pistes become less challenging. Both resorts offer skiing with a panoramic view of the majestic Matterhorn, or Mount Cervino, as it is known in Italy. When in Cervinia, stay at the Hotel Hermitage, a rustic yet elegant lodge that has breathtaking views, an excellent restaurant with a fabulous wine cellar and spa, gym and indoor pool. www.hotelhermitage.com

Zermatt is nothing short of spectacular. Set high in the Alps, no cars are allowed in the town, so golf-buggies or horse and carriage transport skiers. The skiing is excellent and snow-sure and skiers can enjoy the glacier in Cervinia if they cross the border. The best view in the Alps is when skiing down from Plateau Rosa in Cervinia into Zermatt village with the Matterhorn as a backdrop. Zermatt also has some of the best restaurants in the Alps, although the prices reflect this in peak season. Chalet Zen, a private home which is available to rent, is ultra-luxurious. Close to the ski lifts and a short stroll from town, it has an outdoor hot tub, steam shower, plasma screen TVs and broadband internet. www.descent.co.uk/index/287

Considered to be one of the best ski resorts in Europe, St Anton has everything from challenging skiing (not for beginners) the best après-ski in the world (the Krazy Kangaruh) and non-stop nightlife, all situated in a picturesque Austrian village. For those who want to experience St. Anton but are beginners, there are buses into neighbouring Lech and Zürs where the slopes are much easier. We recommend you stay at Chalet Landhaus Moos, out of town but nearer the après-ski bars that you pass on the way down from the slopes. www.skivaldirect.co.uk

Fashionable with the A-list as well as a wealthy European crowd, St Moritz has gourmet restaurants and superb shops as well as some amazing skiing. The resort boasts 350km of groomed pistes and, if you aren’t big on skiing, there are polo tournaments, horse races, cricket matches and show jumping - all on ice - to keep you entertained. There is a handful of chic places to stay: The Chesa Albertini chalet has an elegant but homely feel while boasting state-of-the-art facilities (it even has a home cinema). www.chesaalbertini.ch

Courchevel is perenially popular thanks to its immense range of skiing, forming part of Les Trois Vallées, and the fact that the slopes are great for skiers of all abilities. Adjoining resorts Meribel and Val Thorens are easily accessible from here so there is an added flexibility to roam free on the vast number of runs that the resorts have to offer. Within Courchevel itself there are no end of upscale bars and restaurants and great nightlife. Le Kilimandjaro hotel is a five-star, grandiose establishment with spa facilities and 30 bedrooms and suites housed in seven chalets. www.hotelkilimandjaro.com

Verbier is not the place for beginners but, for off-piste skiers, it is up there with Zermatt (although its mountain restaurants are not to the same standard). High-altitude runs such as Stairway to Heaven and Hidden Valley are a must for intermediate skiers and when there is fresh powder, Verbier is unbeatable. If that is not enough you can easily ski into Chamonix in France, and Italy’s Aosta Valley on the same ski pass. If you stay at the elegant Verbier Lodge you can also book heli-skiing and extreme skiing. The look is modern and fresh, decorated in scarlet, yellow and electric blue. One apartment has a modern wood-burning fire. On the wooden-decked terrace of the hotel is a Jacuzzi to which the south-facing ground-floor apartment has direct access. www.thelodge.virgin.com