Skiers Guide to the Alps | Stretching from France, through Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy to Slovenia, the Alps dominate the centre of Europe and provide some of the best skiing facilities in the world.

The entire region is spectacular, with almost every town resembling the cover of a chocolate box or a scene from The Sound of Music.

If you’re thinking of visiting the Alps this year, here’s a quick guide to help you navigate through the snow:

When to go

Throughout most of the region, the ski season doesn’t begin in earnest until just before Christmas. Before this, you’ll only find snow at the higher resorts or those with glacial areas.

Although skiing at Christmas is a great way to spend the festive period, the days are short, so you may not be able to ski for as long as you’d like.

In January and February, you’re almost guaranteed snow. However, the air temperature can be cold, and during the February half-term the slopes can be very crowded.

March and April can bring uncertain snow conditions, but if you head to the higher resorts, you can enjoy long days of skiing and slightly warmer temperatures.

Where to go

All of the countries in the Alpine region have charms of their own, so it really depends on your skiing ability and how far you want to travel.

France offers a great range of ski destinations that are suitable for beginners and professionals. With Mont Blanc towering over the landscape, the scenery looks like it’s been taken straight off a postcard.

Ski resorts in the Italian Alps offer some great slopes for novices to get stuck into. There is generally a relatively laidback attitude in Italy, making it perfect for families.

Switzerland is home to some of the most exclusive resorts in the Alps and though perhaps not the cheapest option, you do get what you pay for with world-class facilities and beautiful surroundings.

Where to stay

There is a wide range of accommodation available in the Alps from self-catering chalets to all-inclusive resorts. For some of the best bespoke ski holidays in The Alps, head to France, Switzerland or Italy, where you can enjoy a touch of luxury after a long day on the slopes.

It’s hard to go wrong with a ski holiday in the Alps with the miles of pristine snow and the numerous après ski options; you can almost guarantee everyone a fantastic trip.