Weekend skiing

Ski the weekend

Anyone lucky enough to live within easy driving distance of a major ski resort, we hate you. Anyone within easy flying distance of the Alps, just swallow your global warming misgivings and book a few sneaky days in the snow. Read on for the ultimate-ski lowdown to weekend ski breaks.

WEEKENDS FOR... • Beginners - Arosa • Intermediates - Morzine • Experts - Chamonix • Off-piste - Verbier • Snowboarders - Solden • Families - Les Gets • Cross-country - La Clusaz • Après-ski - Ischgl • Non-skiers - Grindelwald • Early season - Stubai • Late snow - Engelberg

If you can turn a long weekend into a very long weekend - Thursday to Tuesday - look out for cheap last minute flights when the webcam and snow report stars are in alignment. Friday and Monday flights are the exact opposite and need to be booked months in advance. Local crowds are another draw-back to skiing at the weekend particularly when great snow and clear weather coincide.

 
Where do you want to go? The most popular resorts aren't always the best starting point - it can be difficult to find somewhere to stay and places like Val d'Isère are a long way from an airport, the transfer eating into precious skiing time. Instead think beyond the obvious.

• Getting there
• Where to stay
• Top tips