These days, skiing isn't just for professionals; we live in a golden age when the snowy slopes are meant to be conquered. And with the buzz skiing has created, ski resorts have started catering for everyone from beginners, to intermediates, to experts, and even kids! So don’t leave your little ones at home the next time you holiday; bring them along to some of the top destinations we have here.
La Plagne: A resort in southeast France, La Plagne offers a ski range of 1250-3250m; you can book your own fully furnished, fully catered chalet close to amenities. Some can even accommodate 6 to 16 people. If they're getting too rowdy, relax.
Adelboden: Switzerland’s Adelboden is a skier's haven; this major resort is so big, it had to be divided into 5 different areas. The sun shines brightly in the summer, so you can work on your tan while you're out! (Around your goggles at least. Although with a fair share of black runs (the hardest skiing level) and beginner slopes, its intermediate areas are particularly excellent. Kids clubs and crèches abound here; it was even given the Families Welcome award of excellence.
Bad Gastein: When it comes to skiing in the countryside, Austria is just the place. Bad Gastein is one of the lesser known resorts – a “hidden treasure,” according to frequent visitors. With hours-long daycare centres for kids and a brilliant après-ski nightlife (casinos included), what else could you want?
It never feels as cold in a real winter city; snow, ice-skating and plenty of hot toddies to warm your toes. Canadian Affairs are currently running a 2-night deal with flights and accommodation to Toronto for £315pp.
So, if you can’t take this washed out winter in the UK then head to cooler climes and enjoy a pre-Christmas shopping break in Toronto.
The deal includes return flights from London Gatwick and two nights' room-only accommodation at the Days Hotel, Toronto.
Or if you fancy getting more use out of your matching scarf and gloves ensemble then extend your stay at one of Toronto’s top hotels.
Your first port of call has to be The Gladstone Hotel, a nouveau bohemian mecca. Each of the 37 rooms was designed by a local artist; each is unique: The Teen Queen is decorated with posters of 1970s heart-throbs. The Trading Post has fun fur curtains. The Canadiana Room has an antler chandelier and a forest vista along one wall.
Or if If your goal is to watch the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team (or a monster truck rally) while eating dinner in bed, you'll be checking into the Rogers Centre Hotel, the World’s only 4 Diamond Hotel.
It may be too chilly at the moment to avail of Montreal’s new free bike scheme – launched in true European city style this summer - but Canada’s French chic city has a winter charm all of its own.
Buenos Aires for tango, Seville for flamenco and, now,Montreal for juggling.
There are various causes cited for this. In 2001, the Quebec provincial government officially decided circus was an art form, and one to be encouraged. There is also a creative atmosphere here, emboldened by plentiful festivals, masses of nightlife, culture and low rents.
In Montreal's Old Town I enjoyed an odd sense of deja vu. 'It's the most European of Canada's cities,' a Canadian friend, Jeannie, had told me. Here was the classic bo-bo (bourgeois-bohemian) environment - bookshops, tattooed girls on bikes, bars in old warehouses - in a town that looked like the offspring of St Malo and San Francisco.
Short breaks to Canadian cities are going cheap with Baway.
Deals can be had for less than £500 for three nights in a hotel, including flights, in Montreal.
And if you want something to lighten up the New Year then The Montreal High Lights Festival runs from 19 Feb-1 March and incorporates art, light shows and food.
