Top 3 weekend resorts for ski holidays

great ski conditions

If you are one of these people who can only put aside a weekend for skiing you want to maximise the amount of times you spend on the slopes which limits the amount of resorts you can head to. You need somewhere that has a quick transfer time from the airport, not much time difference and a short flight so that you can make the most of your weekend. These days there are plenty of flights on Friday afternoons and evenings to popular European destinations which have great ski conditions.

If you can try and make it a three or four day weekend flying on a Thursday and Monday night because flights of Friday's and Sunday's are a lot more expensive. When choosing your weekend away make sure it doesn't coincide with Christmas, New Years, February half-term or Easter because resorts will be packed and finding accommodation for only a couple of nights will be tricky.

luxury ski chalets

One of the best airports to fly to is Geneva because of the vast range of flights available from the UK and the number of resorts that are less than a 90 minute drive from the airport. These include Chamonix, Courmayeur, Flaine, Morzine, Samoens, Morillon, Avoriaz. Another tip for flying into Geneva, if you are going to hire a car do so from the Swiss side of the airport, access is easier, snow types come as standard and your tax will be paid.

Chamonix, France

Just 60 minutes from Geneva airport and located in the Mont Blanc Valley is one of the world's greatest skiing destinations, Chamonix. There are also some excellent luxury ski chalets in Chamonix alongside an infinite number of possibilities for mountain lovers.

Courmayeur, Italy

Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur is 90 minutes from Geneva and two hours from Turin airport both of which have a good range of flights out of London. Its pistes are usually crowd free and well groomed with stunning scenery as you head down the slopes.

Zell am See, Austria

If you don't fancy skiing in Italy or skiing in France then Zell am See is just an hour from Salzberg airport and there is a train station in the resort for those who prefer public transport to hiring a car. It is not a huge resort but enough to keep beginners and intermediates occupied for a weekend.