A-Z OF WORLD CUP SKIING RESORTS

Adelboden is a picturesque mountain village that offers an extensive range of slopes stretching across the valley, divided into five beautiful areas, Elsigen-Metsch, the Tschentenalp, Silleran- Hahnenmoos and Lenk – Betelberg. It is one of Switzerlands top skiing areas with its snow assuredness and variety of runs. The base of Adelboden is at 1350m, with the summit at 2400m. There is 170km of piste and a variety of runs for all skiers. More info: www.adelboden.ch

BEAVER CREEK

Beaver Creek is located in Colorado’s Vail Valley, ten miles away from Vail. It is a stylish and secluded resort community. The base of Beaver Creek is at 8100 feet, with the summit at 11,400 feet. The mountain has 148 trails which covers 1805 acres. It is a great mountain for all skiers with varied terrain and three terrain parks and a half pipe. More info: beavercreek.snow.com

BORMIO

Bormio is one of Italy’s top resorts with a unique attractive medieval town centre. It is a high Alpine town and at the centre of the high Valtellina region. Four different ski areas surround the town that allow skiing and snowboarding both winter and summer. The runways directly above Bormio are the most challenging, with the best lift systems and the longest cruising runs in the region. It is also home to one of the longest continuous vertical drops in Italy (5879 feet). With 75km of prepared slopes there is skiing for all standards. More info: www.skisnowboardeurope.com/bormio

CHAMONIX

Chamonix, a beautiful alpine town with high mountain scenery hosts to a wealth of culture and heritage. The Chamonix valley provides a wide variety of terrain for all skiers. It offers gentle family runs through trees, cross country pistes, snow parks and activities such as ice climbing and paragliding. More info: www.chamonix.com

Recommended accommodation in Chamonix
Les Chalets de Philippe is hamlet of traditional chalets run by Pollen Brooks just above the Chamonix valley. The chalets are perfect for a big group of family or friends. www.pollenbrooks.com

CORTINA

Cortina is located in the Ampezzo valley, two hours from Venice. Known as the “Pearl of the Dolomites”, Cortina is an attractive town with incredible views of the Dolomite mountains. Skiing in Cortina is divided into two main areas, Tofana-Socrepes and Staunies-Faloria. It has a wide variety of terrain for all skiers although it has more to offer for beginners and intermediates. The crowded town is in contrast with its relatively empty perfectly groomed slopes. More info: www.cortina.dolomiti.com

CRANS MONTANA

Crans Montana takes some beating when the skies are blue, the snow is deep and you are presented with breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. However, weather conditions are unpredictable and the town itself is not particularly attractive. More info: www.crans-montana.ch

GARMISCH

Garmisch is 97km from Munich and is at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain. It has an ancient village charm and is the country’s highest ski resort (2963m). Garmisch is Germanys greatest and most famous ski resort with 60kms of marked ski runs over 44 slopes to suit all skiers. It has a halfpipe, terrain park and cross-country skiing. Both the slopes and the off-piste facilities are well maintained. More info: www.garmisch-partenkirchen.de

KITZBUHEL

Kitzbuhel is the most famous resort in Austria. It is an attractive walled medieval town set amongst dramatic mountains. The skiing area is about 165km and is centred around two main areas, the Hahnenkamm and Kitzbuheler Horn. The Kitzbuhel skiing area around Ehrenbachgraden is the scene for the famous downhill course which is ideal for advanced skiers. It is a great resort for beginners and intermediate skiers. More info: www.kitzbuhel.com

KVITFJELL

Kvitfjell is located in the area of Norway known as Troll Park, close to the city centre of Lillehammer. Although it is not a large ski resort it is considered as being one of the best. It has a wide variety of uncrowded slopes, mostly catering for advanced skiers. The longest run is 3.5km and it also has 400kms of groomed cross-country through incredible forest and mountain scenery. Kvitfjell is one of the first ski areas to open every year and has the most skiing days every season. More info: www.kvitfjell.no

LAKE LOUISE

Lake Louise is located in the heart of the Banff National Park. It is the most scenic resort in North America and with 4200 skiable acres, it is one of the largest ski areas. An excellent mountain for all skiers, with gentle, long slopes to remote bowls with challenging terrain. There are easy and challenging runs from every chairlift. There are four mountain faces and multiple terrain parks. It is a reliable season from mid November to mid-May. More info: www.skilouise.com

LEVI

Levi is Lapland’s most popular tourist attraction, with the largest downhill skiing centre in Finland. You will be skiing in the untouched natural surroundings of Lapland’s nature conservation area. They have pistes for all skiers and from December to January there is 230km of cross country ski tracks which are all well maintained and have places to stop and enjoy your picnic lunch. As well as having a terrain park and half pipe they have illuminated pistes with snowmaking machines. More info: www.levi.fi

SESTRIERE

Sestriere is a high resort with north-west facing slopes renowned for its good snow. It has benefited hugely from the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics. The lift system has received a mega-upgrade with uphill capacity increasing substantially. A friendly town with delicious food, it is a popular destination with families. More info: http://www.comune.sestriere.to.it

SOELDEN

Soelden is one of the smaller ski resorts in Austria. It has recently invested in new lifts to link its home slopes, Gaislachkog, Tiefenbachkog and Black Cut. With extensive snowsure runs and access to two glaciers, this suits adventurous intermediate skiers. The base of Soelden is at 1350m with the summit at 3250m. Due to the height of the resort skiing and snowboarding is guaranteed throughout the season. The total length of runways is 146 km with the longest run being 2km (Teifenbach). More info: www.soeldenweb.at

VAL D’ISERE

Val D’Isere, France is part of an extensive ski area linked with Tignes. The ski area is divided into six areas all of which are connected. There is over 300km of piste and unlimited off-piste so it is a great mountain for all skiers. Val D’Isere is renowned for having good snow and a long season (November through to May) due to the height of the resort. The base of Val D’Isere lies at 6070 feet and rises to 11340 feet. More info: www.valdisere.com

VAL GARDENA

Val Gardena has stunning ‘Dolomite’ scenery with a unique vast area of connected ski slopes. Its lift system and snowmaking are among the best and most extensive in Europe. A lift pass covers over 460 lifts and 1200km of run. With the lack of challenging slopes, only experts may be disappointed. More info: www.val-gardena.net

WENGEN

Wengen is at the heart of the Jungfrau region. It is a picturesque traditional, traffic free Alpine village. It is a very attractive resort with its dramatic scenery and unhurried atmosphere. Access to the skiing is predominately by train or the main cable car. Although there is limited terrain for experts it is a mountain for all skiers and there are two half-pipes in the region and a terrain park. More info: www.wengen.com

WHISTLER

A two mountain resort with access to over 7000 acres of terrain, Whistler is not short of runs. It is a great destination for all skiers whether you are a complete beginner or an expert. For the past six years Whistler is recognised as one of North America's top ski resorts. More info: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

ZAGREB

Mount Sljeme just outside Zagreb is located on the northern slopes of Medvednica mountain, one of Croatia's nature parks. There is limited skiing with only four ski runs, two ski-lifts and a triple chair lift. Usually there is snow for about three months a year and the resort is easy to reach by tram and bus from Zagreb centre. More info: www.croatiatraveller.com