You’ve got another four months (five if you'd rather wait for the reliable January powder) to save for that end of year ski holiday. We asked some regular ski travellers where they reckon South Africans should head for this year…

Val d’Isère; France
  • Why go there: This resort has the best of everything: a vibrant town and expansive skiing with a wide range of terrain and modern lifts.
  • What’s great about it: The skiing is phenomenal. The resort is high so it’s generally cooler and has better snow conditions. In other resorts it’s often practical to use buses to get to different areas, but Val d’Isère’s expansive terrain and fantastic lift system really open up the skiable area. There are good restaurants and plenty of bars and clubs, plus activities such as go-carting on ice and paragliding. There’s also a large British crowd, so resort staff is comfortable speaking English.
  • Accommodation: Plenty and readily available. Many tour operators offer all-inclusive deals that include transport, accommodation, meals, ski passes and guides.
  • Gear: There are good ski-rental shops.
  • Best time to go: Late February through March, but watch out for the European holidays.
  • Cost?: Accommodation costs from R430 a night, a ski pass costs R2250 for six days, and lessons costs about R350 each.*
  • Details: www.valdisere.com
Kevin Mattison has made annual skiing trips for 20 years.

Okemo; Vermont, USA
  • Why go there: Okemo is ideal if you have kids — there are lots of facilities for them.
  • What’s great about it: Based in a small resort town in Vermont, Okemo is said to have the best snow in the USA. And because they blow a lot of their own snow (a mixture of water and air is mixed under high pressure), the runs are always sufficiently covered. There’s an excellent shuttle service from town into the resort and the resort is incredibly safety-conscious, with many ski patrollers and first-aid staff.
  • Accommodation: There’s plenty of slope-side accommodation on the resort – from cosy lodges to family units perched near the ski lifts.
  • Gear: You can buy what you need there or rent whatever kit you want from a ski shop.
  • Best time to go: From late December to as late as April but, to be safe, go in January and February. Check websites for up-to-date info.
  • Cost: In terms of overall affordability, it may be a little on the pricey side. Accommodation costs from about R2400 per person for a weekend, a ski pass and gear rental cost about R2335 for six days, and lessons cost around R665 each.*
  • Details: www.okemo.com/okemowinter
Neil Ismay has been skiing for five years.

Queenstown; New Zealand
  • Why go there: Skiing in NZ is all about adventure – and Queenstown is for adrenaline junkies!
  • What’s great about it: New Zealand is very friendly and much cheaper than Europe, especially when it comes to accommodation. Everyone speaks English and the whole place oozes an unpretentious energy that soon has everyone partying en masse. The food is good and fairly organic, and the sushi is definitely worth writing home about.
  • Accommodation: Queenstown’s ski areas are Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Accommodation ranges from five-star hotels to home stays. For groups it’s best to hire a house.
  • Gear: There are plenty of ski-hire facilities, all conveniently clustered on one block. When it comes to clothing, New Zealand is the dumping ground for all last season’s European ski kit, so you can get absolutely anything for about a third of the usual price.
  • Best time to go: July to early August.
  • Cost: Accommodation is cheap. A house in town that sleeps six costs R475 to R800 a day. Ski passes (at about 30 percent cheaper than in Europe) and gear rental cost around R2125 for six days. Food prices are similar to those in SA.*
  • Contact details www.snow.co.nz
James Campbell-Miller makes an annual skiing pilgrimage.

Saalbach; Austria
  • Why go there: For families and first-timers the best and cheapest Austrian skiing-holiday option is a package deal with everything included – from entertainment and accommodation to ski hire and lessons. Saalbach is buzzing a party city.
  • What’s great about it: The town is really small so you’re never far from the ski lifts or the nightlife, plus there’s the exhilarating 11km ski run and 200km of groomed slopes in the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang area.
  • Accommodation: Ranges from five-star hotels to quaint pensions. You can also hire a flat.
  • Gear: Plenty of ski hire is available for all levels.
  • Best time to go: For family trips, Christmas is a good time, although the snow won’t yet have reached its peak. For serious snow try February or March. Avoid the European school holidays.
  • Cost: For some reason this area is still cheaper than its snowy siblings, France, Switzerland and Italy. Accommodation costs from R600 a night and skiing costs R3000 for six days – including a ski pass, gear and lessons.*
  • Details www.saalbach.com

Meribel; France
  • Why go there? Meribel is the most beautiful, quaint resort I have seen in the Alps. There are no large, ugly apartment-style buildings and all chalets and hotels are constructed of stone with solid wooden beams and slate roofs. It’s not at too high an altitude and it’s very easy to access by road from either Geneva or Lyon. Also, there’s an abundance of trees that add to the charm and make for excellent tree skiing.
  • What’s great about it: The whole area is stunningly beautiful. The resort offers access to two other valleys that, together, offer the largest pisted ski area in Europe. A Three Valleys Pass allows you to access both Val Theron and Courcheval. There are high summits to match the best on offer anywhere but the extreme off-piste is a little limited for the pros. The nightlife bustles but is not as raucous as that in Austria and plenty of up-market Brits choose Meribel — although the town is still very French. Restaurants are brilliant and typical of the region, and skiing is excellent for all levels except extreme.
  • Accommodation: Many hotels and chalets.
  • Gear: In a place like Meribel, there’s no question: you’ll easily find everything you need.
  • Best time to go: Any time except during the French school holidays.
  • Cost: Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.
  • Accommodation costs about R1000 a night and a ski pass costs about R1800 for six days.*
  • Details: www.skimeribel.co.uk
Antony Ceruti takes a skiing trip every year.

Lake Tahoe; California
  • Why go there: It’s slick and well-run.
  • What’s great about it: Seven resorts near Tahoe City – all with different slope levels and scenery.
  • Accommodation:There’s a massive variety in the seven resorts.
  • Gear: Buy or rent when you get there.
  • Best time to go: February to March. Avoid the US college vacations and try to go in the week – because it’s just three hours from San Francisco!
  • Cost: Accommodation from R455 a night and skiing from R973 a day – including a ski pass, gear and a lesson.*
  • Details: www.tahoe.com
Grant Philp has been skiing for 10 years.

* Prices fluctuate according to exchange rates.

Article courtesy of Horizons, BA/Comair's in-flight magazine published by Touchline Media