With hundreds and hundreds of resorts to choose from, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses, it can be hard to find the one that's right for you, which is why we've done the hard work for you. Check through our shortlist below for the best resorts in a wide range of categories from the best family friendly resorts through to the best for après ski.
Best budget ski resorts
Ski holidays needn't be expensive: especially if you stay in a self-catering apartment and cook for yourself.
1. Alpe d'Huez, France. Home to some of the finest nursery slopes in Europe as well as some of the most challenging, Alpe d'Huez has never been never been as fashionable as the A-listers further north and as result you can stay here for next to nothing. For France, both food and nightlife can be cheap too.
2. Pila, Italy. Pila's architecture won't win any awards - but the quality of the intermediate-standard pistes might, and because the resort is regarded as something of an eyesore, you can enjoy them at low prices. What's more, it's only the buildings that are ugly: the mountain scenery here is stunning.
Top family friendly resorts
Taking the kids? Take a look at these top ski resorts that the whole family will love.
1. Geilo, Norway. With the kids in tow it's important to have plenty of other activities on offer besides endless kilometres of pistes. With a mind-boggling array of winter activities to keep your brood happy when their ski lessons are over, Geilo is a great choice.
2. La Rosiere, France. As a hub for British tour operators specialising in famiy ski holidays, La Rosiere is great for families new to skiing. What's more, many of the chalets are jsut a stone's throw from the nursery slopes.
Best resorts for beginners
If you've never been skiing before or just learning, these ski resorts for are a perfect choice.
1. Breckenridge, USA. One of the easiest Colorado ski resorts for Brits to get to - and the best for beginners. The nightlife is pretty good too, for America, though you should save your celebrations for the end of your holiday - once you've become acclimatised to the high altitude.
2.Courchevel 1650. Courchevel is split into several small villages including Courchevel 1650 which is one of the cheapest and boasts both an award-winning British ski school and quiet, easy-going pistes.
Best resorts for intermediates
Once you've been skiing a few times it's time to tackle something a little more difficult.
1. Aspen, USA. Except on high days and holidays, the middle two mountains in Aspen, Highlands and Buttermilk are empty - and are home to some of the most satisfying pistes on the planet. If you don't enjoy your skiing here, you never will.
2. Les Arcs, France. It's not just the quantity of skiing, but the variety that makes Les Arcs impressive. There are pistes here to suit everyone from wobbly second-weekers to the go-for-broke brigade.
Best resorts for snowboarding
If you love the snow but don't fancy skiing, snowboarding could be for you.
1. Laax, Switzerland. It always helps to have a city nearby to feed a snowboarding scene, and Laax benefits each weekend from arrival of riders from Zurich. They turn the resort's terrain park into one of the most vibrant freestyle scenes in the Alps.
2. Snowbird, USA. Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, home to the resort of Snowbird has some of the best riding powder in the world making it perfect for boarders. Powder days here won't be something you'll easily forget.
Best resorts for après ski
Ski holidays aren't just about the skiing - the nightlife is equally as important for you to have a balanced holiday.
1. St. Anton, Austria. Nowhere can quite match St Anton for après ski - and in particular the Mooserwirt, near the bottom of the main area of pistes. It's like a New Year's party every night.
2. Veriber, Switzerland. For those with an appetite for nightlife, Verbier rocks into the small hours on a regular basis, but in the Farinet it has also has one of the best bars in the Alps for a more laid back, conversational evening.
Best resorts for weekend breaks
If you fancy a couple of days away, there are plenty of ski resorts that aren't too far away.
1. Cormayeur, Italy. The resort of Courmayeur is home to some good skiing, but the real point of coming here for a weekend is to relax - soaking up the stupendous views of Mont Blanc, spending a few idle hours in the shops, and enjoying the laid-back but excellent mountain restaurants.
2. Chamonix, France. Chamonix is only an hour from Geneva airport, and yet it's as Alpine as they come. What's more, it is a resort that will suit just about everyone for a two or three night break, from party animals to hairy-chested mountain experts.
