If you're contemplating a long weekend skiing, check out these great ideas from our friends at Mad Dog Ski. They've selected their favourite resorts for an active weekend break

Chamonix, France - www.chamonix.com
One of the most popular destinations for weekend skiing, Chamonix is just under an hour from the major ski airport of Geneva. As a fully functional town, finding a bed for a short stay is far easier than in many resorts. Chamonix has access to the majestic and extreme Mont Blanc massif which attracts serious skiers, snowboarders and climbers from all over the world.

Don't let this put you off though as recently the resort has expanded the skiing available for beginners and intermediates too. Don't miss out on the very top of the Aiguille du Midi cable car which at a breathless 3842m definitely has a top-of-the-world feel to it. And after all that adrenaline, spend your evening sampling the many bars and restaurants in the town.

Chatel, France - www.chatel.com
Another resort that benefits from being close to Geneva airport is the attractive Alpine village of Chatel. This is a destination for those wanting a traditional ski holiday with rural charm. And Chatel isn't just a pretty face; it also has easy access to the massive Portes du Soleil ski area which has a reliable snow record. Its popularity for weekend skiing means that there is a wide selection of hotels, chalets and apartments to choose from although these do get booked up fast in high season. For some traditional mountain fare, eat at the rather special Le Vieux Chalet on Plaine Dranse and try the special croutes (a hearty dish of cheese on toast with wine and sauce).

Courmayeur, Italy - www.courmayeur.com
Only an hour from Turin, Courmayeur is a fantastically cosy Italian resort with some of the best food you'll find in any resort. Try the mountain restaurant Rifugio La Maison Vieille on Col Checrouit for classic pasta and polenta dishes. There's skiing available for all levels (plus breathtaking views of Mont Blanc to be enjoyed) and the off-piste is particularly good; Punta Helbronner and the the Vallee Blanche are unmissable. Apres-ski is low-key, although there are plenty of good bars to head to earlier on in the evening, such as Caffe della Posta, on via Roma.

Megeve, France - www.megeve.com
For a chic French resort full of character and charm, you can't do better than the village of Megeve. Just an hour from Geneva, it's ideal for a weekend break and the small cafes, designer shops and cosy restaurants that line the streets and narrow walkways give you plenty to do. The resort is renowned for its dining with over 80 restaurants, including the Michelin starred Le Flocons de Sel. With over 325km of pistes, it is an ideal resort for groups of mixed ability and families.

It is not a snow-sure resort by any means but the skiing is on pasture land which needs much less snow than higher mountainous resorts. Contact the tourist office for a list of weekend accommodation.

Morzine, France - www.morzine-avoriaz.com
Morzine benefits not only from being within easy travelling distance from Geneva airport but its tree-lined slopes and chocolate box scenery attracts everyone from families to apres-skiers. As part of Portes du Soleil, Morzine has access to 650km of pistes and is a popular base for skiers of all abilities. There are numerous British chalet companies in Morzine though only a few offer short breaks.

Host Savoie (www.hostsavoie.co.uk) operate a flexible approach to dates and their two charming chalets provide good value 'home from home' accommodation. A must-try in Morzine is the night sledging (www.indianaventures.com), a 5km descent and the best €23 you'll spend in resort.

St Anton, Austria - www.stantonamarlberg.com
Just an hour from Innsbruck (now served by easyJet as well as BA), lies the Tyrolean resort of St Anton. At an altitude of 1300m, this traditional village has access to 270km of rolling pistes and extensive off-piste terrain. Ideal for skiers and non-skiers alike, there is plenty to do on and off the slopes, from stripping off for a sauna at the Well.com leisure centre to tobogganing down Gampen, stopping off for lunch or supper at the Rodelalm restaurant.

To splash out on a special meal, head to the Hospiz Alm in the beautiful village of St Christoph for a gastronomic take on the local cuisine. For weekend accommodation, the numerous guest houses and small hotels tend to be more flexible or the tourist office website lists a number of them.

Schladming, Austria - www.schladming.at
Skiing in Europe is an expensive pastime so why not head to lesser-known places where your euro will go further, such as the Austrian resort of Schladming. Located just an hour from Salzburg airport, this traditional unpretentious town offers value for money as well as a surprisingly good snow record. As part of the Ski Amade region (www.skiamade.com), your ski pass gives you a stunning 860km of pistes to explore over 30 villages.

The four nearest mountains to the resort are all north-facing and their tree-lined slopes hold the snow for longer than many. Stay in the town itself or in one of the suburbs. In nearby Ramsau, Pension Hoffelner (www.pension-hoffelner.com) offers weekend/midweek packages and runs a shuttle to the slopes each day.

Tignes Les Boisses, France - www.tignes.net
Tignes isn't the first place you'd think of for a weekend ski break. Not only is the transfer generally a two/three-hour drive from the local airports (Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble and Lyon St Exupery) but it can be near-impossible to find weekend accommodation in this popular resort.

However, times are changing and in the last couple of years, hotels and chalets in the small Les Boisses village at 1850m are offering weekend stays. For a chalet environment, stay in the English-run Le Dome (www.ledome.co.uk) or for a traditional French hotel, Le Marais (www.hotel-le-marais.com) offers good value rooms. A new fast four-man chairlift has just been installed in Les Boisses, providing easy access to the much-praised Espace Killy ski area.

Verbier, Switzerland - www.verbier.ch
Verbier has traditionally appealed to good skiers and big spenders. The heady mix of challenging skiing and alluring nightlife is enough to attract a dedicated following. Around two hours from Geneva, Verbier has access to 412km of pistes across the four Vallees and exceptional and varied off-piste. When you come down from the slopes, you'll find a resort that has a vibrant apres-ski and nightlife scene.

From relaxing on sofas in the Farinet lounge bar or dancing on the tables in the main bar, there is something for everyone. There's a good choice of restaurants too. Our favourite is L'Ecurie for its delicious Swiss dishes or Fer a Cheval for its wood-fired pizzas. Finding a weekend bed in Verbier can be tricky so it's often easier to book with a tour operator such as White Roc (www.whiteroc.co.uk) or The Snow Company (www.thesnowco.com).

Villars, Switzerland - www.villars.ch
Just an hour and a half from Geneva, Villars is a pretty Swiss resort with excellent hotels and restaurants, though pricing is towards the upper end of the market. With good ski schools, plenty of easy runs and a busy sports centre, it's a great place to head with kids (the tourist office even rents out baby chairs and prams). For weekend accommodation, your best bet is to visit in the low season (particularly January) and contact hotels and guest houses shortly before you arrive for last-minute short stays. La Cremaillere (+41 (0)24 498 2155) is a 2-star hotel close to the slopes or see the above website for lots of alternatives.

Mad Dog Ski has launched its new Ski Weekends guide for this season. Priced at just £8, the guide is available to purchase online at maddogski.com or through www.amazon.co.uk