Chamonix, France

Chamonix is a serious skier’s nirvana and world class ski resort. But while there is certainly lots of challenging terrain to tackle, intermediates have plenty to entertain them too and there really is something for all levels. It has four different ski areas: Flegere, Brevent, Les Grands Montets and Le Tour. The first two are linked by a cable car and are south- facing, with lots of lovely, sun-drenched reds and blues; Les Grands Montets is the off-piste mecca, and Le Tour is at the head of the valley with gorgeous, wide, bowly runs. There is also a fifth area, Les Houches, at the beginning of the valley, which is really pretty and softer and great for tree skiing on white-out days.

Non-skiers have lots to divert them. They can go up the vertiginous Aiguille du Midi lift to get the jaw-dropping views from the top (and step out onto the glass-bottomed viewing platform), or they might like to pop into town for some shopping or to visit the Chamonix museum. They can also meet the skiers on the mountain for lunch, while there is heaps of snowshoeing to do in the valley plus trips further afield such as to the spa and hot springs at Pré St Didier through the Mont Blanc tunnel in Courmayeur. There are even shopping trips to Verbier or watch-buying trips to Geneva, heli-sight- seeing trips to Italy or husky sledding sessions.