Austria

Austria has enjoyed an excellent snow recently, and the immutable Austrian ski holiday formula is still synonymous with fun in the mountains: rolling, tree-lined slopes above charming villages, jolly inns, foaming tankards of beer, lively bars and discos, and liberal sound-bites of accordion music.

Austrian destinations continue to provide excellent skiing and snowboarding for beginners and intermediates in an enjoyable environment.

Skiers constantly express their surprise at finding spotless pensions as well as lavish hotels in the tiniest of villages, and as one commented: "all I want from a skiing holiday is plenty of easy piste-cruising and a first-class hotel that doesn't cost a fortune. That is why I return to Austria year after year".