Compare ski deals to Austria

Close to Innsbruck airport is the Ötz valley, home to the lower-key, family-friendly Obergurgl and Sölden, the latter of which you might recognise from the James Bond film, Spectre.

Something of an indie pick despite this mainstream moment, Sölden’s three mountains, 32 lifts and 145km (90 miles) of mostly intermediate pistes rank alongside the well-known ski resorts of Austria.

Warth-Schrőcken in the Bregenzerwald is another gem; this area averages twice as much snow as St Anton, and three times more than Chamonix. A single lift pass covers all the Bregenzerwald areas between Warth and Lech, and you can also find several ski-in, ski-out hotels. There’s also party-happy Ischgl and Austria’s cheapest ski resort options such as Söll and Alpbach.

Consider combining your Austrian ski/snowboard holiday with a city stop. Bequeathed a frenzy of sublime palaces by its former Habsburg Empire rulers, Vienna is as stately as capitals come. Equally important is the scrumptious coffee and cake, supped in magnificently ornate cafés.

You might also visit absurdly picturesque Salzburg, the setting for The Sound of Music where you can still tour the original shooting locations. Mozart was born here too, and you can visit his house. Innsbruck has similar Baroque elegance, and ski slopes are within 20 minutes from the city centre via public transport.

The season runs from December to April, but travel in March for the freshest powder and best conditions. Hotels are cheapest on weekdays and outside of the Christmas, February half-term and Easter holidays.

Note that flights to Salzburg and Vienna will be expensive in December due to the presence of famous Christmas markets. The hopelessly romantic Vienna is also expensive around Valentine’s Day.