Treble Cone, NZ - Iain and Ingrid Reid, Sydney, NSW

“Treble Cone is the pick of the NZ resorts for us, particularly on account of its skiing. The Saddle Basin area is big and challenging and will test all skiing levels, and the lift system is really efficient. All accommodation is down the mountain, largely in Wanaka, which is a 45 minute drive away...sounds like a long drive after a hard day on the mountain, but the scenery around Lake Wanaka is something else...it's stunning. Wanaka is a great ski town, much smaller than Queenstown, but still with plenty to offer in terms of bars, restaurants and cafes.

The trip across from Aussie was easy, a flight direct to Queenstown, then we hired a car for the 1 hour drive to Wanaka. We kept the hire car for the week and drove up each day to Treble Cone...but watch the road, it's an interesting drive!

If you can't get to northern hemisphere skiing, Treble Cone is a great option for serious skiers/boarders.”

Craigieburn, NZ - Mark Haisma, Healesville, VIC

“Craigieburn, NZ gets my vote!  It’s all about the mountain - forget spas and bars.  Great terrain, at times challenging with heaps of untracked, if you’re happy to do a little walking.  A ‘must go’ for those wanting to get back in touch with real skiing or boarding.”

Hirafu, Japan - Martin Hosking, Sydney, NSW - JAPAN

“My first visit to Japan was to ski at Hirafu in February 07. The attraction initially was to visit a new culture, ski and not spend too long travelling to get there. Hirafu provided all these aspects and more.

The village is reasonably compact with a large range of accommodation from hotel to 3 bedroom condominiums. There are many restaurants to suit all tastes and price brackets. The skiing caters for all standards with 3m on the ground when we were there and about 60-80 cms of snow that fell during the week keeping it fresh all the time. It can be cold at -13 but again when we were there the wind was minimal and we had two sunny days, which evidently are rare.

The skiing off piste is fun amongst the trees with a lot of terrain from which to choose. Lift queues were short - 5 minute wait was the longest we encountered all week.

Getting back to Sydney easy. And only a one hour time difference.  Would we go back…..absolutely.”   

Silver Star, Canada - Iain and Ingrid Reid, Sydney, NSW  

“Our third trip to Silver Star was during the month of March 2007. We keep on going back to this quaint resort for lots of reasons:

The skiing's great, with the frontside of the mountain being fantastic cruising terrain and the backside throwing up any sort of challenge you're after whether it be steeps, bumps, chutes or whatever. The resort town itself is small and easy to get around and really beautiful. The accommodation is largely self-contained condos or houses and nearly everywhere is ski in/ski out.

The Okanaghan region where Silver Star is situated is inland from the coast and has a great snow record and Okanaghan powder is something to experience.

The region is also well-known for its great wines and regional beers so the après ski is a lot of fun. …But the town is small and there are a limited number of bars and cafes - try Long Johns Pub and Bugaboos or the Bean To Cup cafes.

For families Silver Star is highly recommended. It's got a very attentive ski school, and there are lots of other activities the kids can enjoy - Tubetown is a must!

We'll keep on going back!”

Les Trois Vallees, France - Morag Turton, London, UK 

“Rebecca has helped me organise numerous trips to the 3 Valleys in France (Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens), she has an extensive knowledge of this fantastic area.

The great connections mean that you can spend all day travelling and would still not cover it all in a week and the efficient artificial snow machines mean that you can always ski whatever the conditions. My favourite place for a ski holiday – and my favourite instructor to ski with? Iain Macluskie at the ESF!

Over the pond, I enjoyed Vail the most.  I found the runs were very wide and well maintained, which did wonders for boosting my confidence as an intermediate skier. The après ski wasn't bad either!”

Emerald Lake, Canada - Annie Constantinou, Pangbourne, UK         

“To reach Emerald Lake (several miles west of it's more famous cousin Lake Louise) you have to be taken by the electric minibus which is operated by the Lodge of the same name.

Other than guests, no one else is around, which makes this lovely bio-hotel and its environs a place of peace and romance amid some of the most awe-inspiring scenery you'll find anywhere. And its green credentials have been in evidence long before it was fashionable to have them!

Accommodation is in comfortable, spacious cabins around the lakeside, with the original 100 year old lodge house housing the bar, restaurant and reception. The food is delicious, although a little limiting for vegetarians, and the wine selection is awesome. Service is excellent; the staff look after you well while upholding an informal and friendly atmosphere in true Canadian style.

To get there you would usually fly to Calgary, rent a 4WD and drive west. While there, you can sample the extensive skiing at Lake Louise, or further west at the relatively new resort of Kicking Horse. Heliskiing for a day or two from Golden (just over the border in BC) is a must, even for those who have never tried it. Purcell Heliskiing take groups of all abilities at affordable rates - go for it, we did!”

Whistler, Canada - Stephen McAvoy, Bangalore, India

"If you plan on visiting Whistler-Blackcomb, consider accommodation at Whistler Creek. It's a bit out of the main resort area, making accommodation prices more reasonable. However still well connected with the main lift system.

Did I mention how good the skiing was?!” 

St Anton, Austria - Josh Jacobson, London, UK 

 “My favourite hotels in St. Anton in order of preference are
1. Anton Apart Hotel - This is a relatively new hotel and is in the best location in town. It is literally 20 feet from the bottom of the main gondola (Galzig) and very centrally located to all the restaurants, bars and shops. It is a contemporary style with a great feel and staff are super friendly. They also have a very cool cafe and a great dog that hangs out greeting everyone in the lobby. I've recommended it to loads of people and everyone has had good things to say.

2. Best Western Alte Post - This is still a family hotel but partnered up w/ the Best Western. It’s 4 star and pretty good. I’ve stayed there several times, the rooms can be small, so you need to request a large one. It’s old Tyrolean style with lots of wood interior. Great location and smack in the centre of town.
‘
3. Hotel Schwarzer Adler - Old style Tyrolean hotel. They renovated most of the hotel this past summer and I have not stayed there since but they have a nice swimming pool and spa etc....

My favourite hotel in St. Christoph (10 min drive from St. Anton)
1. Hospiz Hotel - The hotel is located in St. Christoph about a 10 min drive from St. Anton with a lift that connects to to all the other lifts of St. Anton / Stuben. The hotel is a classic with huge roaring fire place wood beams etc... St. Christoph is a quiet but beautiful location but no real night life. this is the place to go if you just want to chill. You can always get a cab to St. Anton. St. Christoph is also the location of my favourite restaurant in the region, the Hospiz Alm. This and the Anton Apart Hotel are the best places to stay (although very different) in my opinion.

More importantly:
Restaurants
1. Hospiz Alm (St. Christoph) -Excellent food. Good mix of Austrian and continental done really really well. I think it has a Michelin star?. Has the most awesome wine cellar I have ever seen. They specialise in large format bottles. Also great for lunch as its just beside the piste. Great place. Must book.
2. Hazienda - Best steak in town. Generally very good food. Only two sittings at 6.30pm and 9.00pm and they will throw you off the table so I go for the later slots.
3. Ben Venuto - Really consistent and very good food. Cool room. Highly recommend it.

Guides
For off piste and touring w/ a full on-mountain guide, I recommend Andy Thurner at Arlberg Guides. He is excellent but gets booked up early w/ returning clients. More for strong intermediate to advanced skiers w/ off piste experience.

Welness Center
Its worth spending some time in this place. They have awesome indoor/outdoor swimming pools, saunas (five different rooms) and a gym. You can also book in really reasonably priced massages. Great facility costs about Eur 20 for a one time visit with access to everything. About Eur 10 if you just want to swim. I use this place regularly.”

Milton Keynes Snow Dome - Gavin Murgatroyd, London, UK

“I have only skiied in Europe and Milton Keynes Snow Dome – I’m not sure how many Australians will want to travel to MK, but there is a great Burger King next door!” 

Serre Chevalier, France - Lisa and Toby Arnold, Marlow, UK

“We went to Serre Chevalier, France in March and had some excellent private lessons from a company called ‘Eurekaski’, our friend Emma has been petrified and hated skiing for the past four years and only does it to please her husband until this year and she is now full of confidence and completely hooked! We also had 2 private lessons and we had so much fun off piste, moguls etc – made our holiday!” 

Murren, Switzerland and St Johann in Tirol, Austria -
Matt Webb, Mapledurham, UK

“Murren (Jungfrau, Switz) – For me this is a great family resort, traditional feel (where Sir Arnold Lunn started downhill skiing). Only way in is by cog railway (good fun), you are met by cholcolate box houses and staggering views down the Lauterbrunnen valley.

Ice rink and good local ski instructors (book before arriving). Slow relaxing pace of life, few shops and bars, think one nightclub. Enough skiing to keep you busy for a week, but you can get a ski pass for Wengen & Grindelwald (also good for day trips). Great fondu at The Eiger Stubli Restaurant (q smart). Also Hotel Blumental Restaurant has good atmosphere (more informal).

 - And a personal favourite - Hotel Tirollhof, St Johann in Tirol, Austria. Superb family hotel run by the Pockenuer family in a great small resort near Kitzbuhl. Not many Brits/Aussies/Kiwis here – just genuine Austrian hospitality.”