Weekend ski getaways

Organising your own ski weekend
If you are organising your trip yourself, maximise the time on the slopes by going for late flights both ways and hiring a car. Ironically, even though sorting your car in advance can be cheaper, that's not always best route, as it ties you to a specific hire company and the queues can be infuriating, particularly when the hire company has a tie-in with a budget airline. Expect to pay between £60 to £100 across Europe for a car for a long weekend - and don't forget to ask for snow chains.

Accommodation is best organised through the local tourist office as it tends to have better rates with the hotels. Another alternative is to contact tour operators last minute to see what accommodation they have. Finally, a third option is to try www.igluski.com, which has ski holiday deals.

Best weekend ski destinations
All selected resorts have good weekend availability and are within easy reach of the transfer airport.

Best for powder
Chamonix, France (1,035m-3,840m), Geneva, 1hr 10mins www.chamonix.com +33 450 530 024

Best for adrenalin rush
Andermatt, Switzerland (1,445m-2,965m), Zurich, 1hr 30 mins www.andermatt.ch +41 41 887 1454

Best for cruising
Courmayeur, Italy (1,225m-2,755m), Geneva/Turin 1hr 40 mins www.courmayeur.net 0165 842 060

Best for learning
Villars, Switzerland (1,300m-3,000m), Geneva 2hr, www.villars.ch +41 24 495 3232

Best for snowboarders
Avoriaz, France (1,800m-2,275m), Geneva 2hr, www.avoriaz.com +33 450 740 211

Best for aprés-ski
Sauze d'Oulx, Italy (1,510m-2,825m), Turin 1hr 30 mins, www.montagnedoc.it +39 0122 858 009

Best for pampering
Bad Gastein, Austria (1,080m-2,685m), Salzburg 1hr 30 mins, www.gastein.com +43 6432 3393

Best for romance
Kitzbuhel, Austria (760m-2,000m), Salzburg 1hr, Innsbruck 1hr www.kitzbuehel.com +43 5356 621 550

Best for non-skiers
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy (1,225m-2,930m), Venice, Treviso 2hr, www.cortina.dolomiti.org +39 0436 866 252

Best for style
Megéve, France (1,100m-2,355m), Geneva 1hr, www.megeve.com +33 450 212 728

Best for city/ski break
Innsbruck, Austria (575m-3,210m), Innsbruck 10 mins, www.ski-innsbruck.at +43 512 59850

Best for late season
Flims, Switzerland (1,100m-3,020m), Zurich, 2hr, www.alpenarena.ch +41 81 920-9200

Best for budget back-door access
Brides-les-Bains (accessing Méribel), France (valley floor-3,230m), Geneva, Lyon 1hr 40 mins. www.brides-les-bains.com +33 479 552 064