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Published: 2nd June, 2011
ADVERTISING FEATURE

IT might be the end of the European ski season, but it is an ideal time to book next year’s skiing holiday. There are plenty of cheap ski deals available online that can guarantee you a cost-effective and successful holiday in the mountains.

Europe has many ski resorts that provide great skiing, après ski and nightlife and has long been one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers. However, this doesn’t mean that skiing in Europe has to be expensive.

St Anton is the most famous of the Austria ski resorts; it is also one of the very best in Europe. Located at over 1300m above sea level, snow is pretty much guaranteed at this resort. St Anton is around one and a half hours from Innsbruck.

Austria is a less fashionable ski destination for British tourists but offers cheaper alternative than the likes of Val d’Isere and Méribel (which have both seen prices sky rocket in recent years). Everything in Austria from a ski pass, to a food and drink is usually cheaper, however, the pistes and lifts are still top of the range.

The skiing area in St Anton is enormous and there are more than enough slopes to accommodate all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers. The resort also has some of the best nightlife of all the ski resorts in Austria; as well as some great après ski. Expect to pay €4 for a beer and €13.50 for a bottle of house wine, almost half of what you would pay in a popular French resort.

So, if you are a young, enthusiastic tourist, both on and off the piste, St Anton could be a great place to holiday. It offers everything that the most fashionable ski resorts offer, but at a reduced price.

However, if your partying days are behind you, Canazei in Val di Fassa, Italy offers beautiful scenery with some top-class skiing and Italian restaurants.

Canazei is a large village in Val di Fassa. Situated among the Dolomite Mountains, Canazei offers some of the most picturesque scenery anywhere in Europe. If you go on holiday to party and less to ski, this might not be an ideal destination for you; but if you love to ski and perhaps have a good meal in the evening before heading to bed, this is a great place to holiday.

In terms of skiing, the amount of connected pistes from Canazei is superb and there are a further 10 resorts within a 20 minute drive. You can literally ski in a different place each day and be selective to suit your level of ability.

There are also extended ski routes especially made for visitors; for example the Sella Ronda is a route that takes you 45km around the central group of mountains, and can be achieved in a day by ambitious skiers. If you are looking for a beautiful location to do some serious skiing, Canazei could be a perfect place to holiday this year.

One skiing gem that has been written up in a few national newspapers this year is the Maurienne Valley in France. It is a valley located not far from the famous Three Valleys, but nevertheless boasts reasonable prices. Furthermore the skiing is excellent. The main attraction of the Maurienne Valley is that it is so much cheaper than its neighbouring resorts but still offers a fairly similar experience and retains an important proximity to the UK.

The pistes are neither as extensive nor well linked but they remain at a level where a family can have a very good holiday. The refreshing aspect of this resort is what makes it so appealing, the skiing is fine and the prices are excellent.

Within the Maurienne valley there are four resorts, La Norma, Aussois, Val Cenis and Valfrejus. La Norma has the most extensive runs for advanced skiers while Aussois has some very good beginners' slopes and is situated in a National Park, making it great for a family trip.