I still haven’t taken the boys skiing.  It’s something I tried years ago when I stayed with a Russian friend who was studying in Finland.  But when it comes to booking a skiing holiday there is so much choice.  You really need to do your research before committing to a location.

Here are some considerations that might help you narrow down your choice:

Your skiing ability

If you are an absolute beginner, you are best choosing a ski resort with easy runs.  Do your research because there is nothing more off putting than picking somewhere challenging which knocks your confidence.  Although if you have more skilled skiers in your party try and find a resort with a mixture of runs and some steeper pistes to keep everyone happy.

What else you plan on doing there?

Some of the resorts have lovely little villages with lots going on.

Skiing would just be part of the holiday for me I want there to be lots else to do as well.  Mark Warner resorts in Austria have other activities available like ice-skating, tobogganing and sleigh-rides.  If you’re not a serious skier its good having flexibility to try lots of different things.

When you what to go?

Depending on when you want to book a skiing holiday some locations will work better than others.  Think about the planned date of travel then look for the most suitable location.  You can pretty much ski somewhere 365 days a year.  So, if you’re willing to travel further afield you will never be restricted to a particular season.  I went to Finland in February and it was covered in snow but if you want to ski in the summer head to a very high ski resort.  You do in some cases need to be a more advanced skier because of where the year-round resorts are located, usually very steep terrain.

Are you planning on taking the children?

This can impact which resort you settle on as your priorities change.  Your final decision might be dependent on childcare availability, whether the resort has nursery slopes an established children’s ski school.  The other activities available for children will play a big part too.

Available budget

If you are on a tight budget, you might want to pick somewhere more affordable.  You can gauge how expensive somewhere will be by the price of the lift passes.  Even if you can afford your accommodation and lift passes, it’s worth factoring in the other essential costs of the trip. If you are going skiing, you will need to be fully kitted out – the resort will provide your skis and your ski boots, but the rest of your protection from the snow and any falls is up to you. Sallopettes, hats, gloves and ski jackets can be expensive, so factor this into your budget. A great place to find low-cost skiwear is a clearance section at the likes of Mountain Warehouse. If you need a rundown of all the kit that you will need to go skiing, this is a great resource from The Telegraph. Also factor in the costs of dining out at your resort of choice. If it’s a luxury resort, the restaurants, and even just drinks, are likely to be very expensive.