Thanks to the low-cost airlines, zipping off to the Alps for a weekend's skiing is no longer an extravagance. The idea has become so popular that the big ski operators now offer a host of short ski breaks. If you're bewildered by the choice, here are some questions answered.
Is it worth it?
If you've got the time, then you'll always get better value on a longer trip, as transport costs and travel time account for a large chunk of your ski trip. But most skiers don't think of weekends away as an alternative to their usual week-long trip, more like a top-up, to get another fix of snow. With careful planning of flight times, you can have three full days on the mountain by taking just one day off work.
Booking a package with an operator still works out relatively expensive. A week's holiday will often cost half or maybe just a third more than a three-night break. But with return air fares to the Alps selling on the web for as little as £40, you can get great deals if you put your own package together. But book well in advance, as plenty of skiers have already wised up to the bargains to be had.
Where should I go?
Find the best snow by following the snow reports on the excellent Ski Club of Great Britain website.
The handiest resorts for weekend breaks are those close to airports well-served by the UK. Geneva comes top of the list, but Zurich is increasingly popular; Turin is just over an hour from some excellent snow. Many skiers' favourite is Chamonix (90 minutes from Geneva airport); as well as having perhaps the most varied and extreme skiing in the Alps, it's easy to get to.
Also clocking in at under two hours from Geneva are St Gervais, Megève, La Clusaz and Flaine; as well as the resorts of the sprawling Portes du Soleil network south of Lake Geneva, including Morzine and Avoriaz. The most accessible resorts on the Swiss side are Villars and Les Diablerets, but it's worth the two-hour journey to get to the superb off-piste skiing at Verbier.
Journey times from Zurich are a little longer - 2 hours-plus to get to Flims, Davos, Klosters, and even St Anton and neighbouring resorts in Austria.
Turin is ideal for Sauze d'Oulx (75 minutes), Sestriere and the resorts of the Aosta Valley (mostly 90 minutes to two hours).
Remember that with fewer days on the slopes, you are more likely to lose a significant proportion of ski time because of the weather. Avoid anywhere too low, in case snow is thin, and avoid anywhere too high in case storms and whiteouts call a halt to skiing above the treeline for a couple of days.
What time should I travel?
Go for the latest possible flights both ways. Even if you travel out early, you won't get much skiing in that day, if any at all. Get an evening flight and you may not have to take any time off work at all. The same goes for the return leg; at the right resort and with a late flight, you can get nearly a full day's skiing in on the last day.
Which are the best flights?
The cheapest way to travel is, of course, to book early with one of the low-cost airlines. At the time of writing, there are still great deals to be had. Here's our pick of the flights most convenient for weekend skiers. EasyJet (0870 6000 000) has the biggest choice of flights for weekend skiers, including the only low-cost flight from the north, from Liverpool to Geneva. Unusually, this route has a workable morning option (out 6.40am, arriving 9.30am; otherwise leaving at 15.50, arriving 18.40, both daily). Return flights are 10am and 14.30 daily, and 21.15 at weekends. The vast majority of flights depart from the south- east.
From Gatwick to Geneva, there's a daily, returning 19.10. The widest choice is, however, from Luton. A daily flight to Geneva leaves 20.15, returns at 21.20, and a handy 06.45 arrives home 07.30. All Geneva flights cost from £40 return, including tax. Flights to Zurich also depart from Luton: the handiest is the daily 18.00, returning at 21.25; from £60 return, including tax.
Ryanair (0870 1569 569) offers Stansted-Turin, Monday-Friday, outward 18.00, return 21.35, from £58.19 including tax. Also Stansted-Brescia, week days, outward 18.30, return 21.50, from £43.56 including tax. Unfortunately, flights to Salzburg, Carcassonne and Perpignan are in the middle of the day.
Neither Buzz nor Go has services that are ideal for weekend skiers.
How do I book transfers and accommodation?
If you're hiring a car, pre-book for peace of mind; the airline websites offer links to car- hire companies. EasyJet's is one of the websites that can arrange transfers - either private or in a shared minibus - to the main French resorts; or you can log on to Airport Transfer Services. If the timings work, it's cheaper to use the normal aéro-skibus coach shuttles; check out the full timetables on the Geneva airport website.
Switzerland has a superb public transport system; full details are on the country's official tourist website, which also has webcams at the resorts and snow reports. The tourist office's travel arrangements arm, the Switzerland Travel Centre (00 800 100 200 30) can sort out accommodation-only deals or arrange a whole trip.
Some of the airline websites also offer links to accommodation sites, which can book short breaks as well as longer stays. Log on at www.stay-high.com; www.justchalets.com and www.chaletfinder.co.uk. Alternatively, local tourist offices can help.
What do the big tour operators offer?
Thomson (0870 606 1470) manages to keep prices down by concentrating on just two hotels, run specially for chalet-style short breaks, with prices including half-board accommodation, wine at dinner, transfers and flights. Two nights at the two-star Hotel Le Yeti in Serre Chevalier (two hours from Turin) costs from £199 - as opposed to £405 for a week. Two nights at the two-star Hotel des Lacs in Chamonix also costs from £199 (£379 for a week). First Choice (0870 900 3214) has a dedicated Ski Xpress brochure aimed at keen skiers wanting maximum independence and snow time - car hire is included. Self-catering options also bring the price down: three nights self-catering in Megève from £229, three nights B&B in Chtel from £289. Nineteen resorts to choose from.
Crystal (0870 848 7000) offers 19 destinations, up from five last season. One of the better deals is to Kranjska Gora in Slovenia just 1 hours from Ljubljana airport, a scenic but limited resort where only beginners would want to stay for a week. Three nights at the four-star Hotel Lek cost from £245 half-board, including flights and transfers. Other good deals are three nights at the three-star Hotel Terrace in Engelberg, Switzerland, from £295; three nights at the four-star Hotel Morgane in Chamonix from £349, and three nights at the two-star Hotel Ciao Pais in Sauze d'Oulx (1 hour transfer) from £249.
Inghams (020 8780 4433) tailor-makes short breaks to 13 Swiss resorts; transfers by public transport.
And if you're really short of time, Airtours (0870 241 5356) offers one-day ski trips to Chamonix, from Gatwick (4 February) and Manchester (11 March); both £139.
Who can give specialist advice?
Several long-running operators tailor-make weekend breaks. These don't come cheap but the experts' knowledge, and contacts at resort level, can be invaluable.
Try FlexiSki (0870 9090 754); Momentum Ski (020 7371 9111); Ski Solutions (020 7471 7777); Ski Weekend (01367 241636); Swiss Travel Service (0870 191 7281); or White Roc Ski (020 7792 1188).
Isn't there anywhere closer?
Last season, Scotland had one of its best seasons. Track snow conditions on www.ski-scotland.com, which has links to the five resorts. For full travel and accommodation information, as well as details of packages, go to www.visitscotland.com. For a free copy of the latter's brochure, call 08705 511511.
