Snow-lovers heading to the Alps last year were disappointed, with many resorts seeing barely a flurry of the white stuff. So with this year's ski season looming, where can you go for guaranteed snow?
South Tyrol, Italy
After heavy investment in "advanced snow-making facilities", The Guardian is recommending this Italian resort as being "about as snow-sure as it comes without a glacier". The Dolomite Superski region has expanded its snow-cannon superstructure since last season and now boasts "an incredible" 90% artificial snow cover. And if that's not enough of a guarantee for you, you can head to www.dolomitisuperski.com, where you can check snow conditions using webcams and snow depth figures.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Artificial snow is all very well, of course, but if you just can't bear to ski on anything but the real thing, head to this Swiss resort, which was proudly announcing five centimetres of snow at the end of September. That snow may now have disappeared it was very early, after all but there is still "plenty up on its glacier", says Sean Newsom in The Sunday Times. And this traditional Swiss village "isn't just snow-sure, it's pretty too". The glacier is so large there isn't much room for ski-runs but the ones they do have are "absolute scorchers", says Newsom. A four-night break at the Park Hotel costs from £365pp half-board with flights and transfers. For more information call Ski Solutions (020-7471 7700, www.skisolutions.co.uk).
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Meribel, France
For those who prefer larger resorts Meribel's altitude makes it one of the most snow-sure locations in France 95% of its runs are above 1,600m. Here, "snow depth reaches its peak in March", says Adam Ruck in The Sunday Telegraph. But in truth, if you stay at one of Meribel's Just Soh lodges, you won't care if only grassy slopes await your skis. These chalets and lodges provide luxurious rooms, top chefs and masseuses. One of the lodges, la Mzon dez Alus, has a Jacuzzi, sauna and outdoor hot tub. Prices start from £595 for a one-week stay at la Mzon dez Alus including four evening meals, breakfast, afternoon tea and an all-inclusive bar. For more information, visit www.justsoh.com, or call 020-8830 1122.
