FOR APRÈS-SKI For cheap and cheerful après-ski, it's hard to beat the duty-free resorts of Andorra, of which Pas de la Casa is by far the liveliest.

The purpose-built Sixties resort, which sits at the top of the Grandvalira ski area on the border with France, is rammed with pubs and clubs which attract a young, mainly British crowd. The night usually starts in the raucous Paddy's Irish Bar and goes on until the early hours.

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If you want something more sophisticated, head to the resort of Soldeu. It's only a bus ride down the hill from Pas de la Casa but its traditional stone buildings and smart hotels are a refreshing contrast to the latter's concrete jungle.

Skiing is no less of a priority than partying in Andorra and both Pas de la Casa and Soldeu offer extensive terrain which is best suited to beginners and intermediates.

Skidomtrips (0844 879 8151/ www.skidomtrips.com) offers three-nights in a four-star hotel from £245pp (two sharing), B&B. Price includes return flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Barcelona. Transfers £150 per couple extra.

FOR ADVANCED SKIERS
You don't get many resorts better suited to hardcore skiers than Chamonix, a traditional tourist town in the shadow of France's Mont Blanc where the skiing is extreme, the nightlife is buzzing and the soaring peaks are achingly beautiful.

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As Chamonix's ski area is spread over several mountains, expert skiers should stay in Argentière close to the tough runs of the Grands Montets.

Should the many black and red runs not prove challenging enough, there is plenty of demanding backcountry skiing.

Chamonix is also home to the legendary Vallée Blanche, an off-piste route over the glaciers that run down from Mont Blanc. The busy, trafficfree town centre is filled with cafés and restaurants and there are many shops selling ski gear.

Just over an hour from Geneva, Chamonix is easily accessible by road, rail and air.

Skiweekends.com (0844 406 0600/www.skiweekends.com) offers four-night breaks from £319pp (two sharing), B&B.

Price includes two nights accommodation and return overnight coach travel from London Victoria, Thurrock, Maidstone and Folkestone.
For March departures.

FOR INTERMEDIATE SKIERS
There is no need to go all the way to the Alps for a quick fix when you've got the Cairngorm mountains on your doorstep.

One of Scotland's five main ski resorts, Cairngorm is arguably the most beautiful and challenging.

It's only a shuttle-bus ride away from the small Highlands town of Aviemore, where you'll find a smattering of hotels, shops, tea rooms, pubs and a leisure complex with a swimming pool and an ice rink.

There are nearly 20 miles of ski runs, including a range of easy green and slightly more testing blue, plus a handful of demanding reds and blacks.

There is also a terrain park, cross-country ski trails and sledging. Lessons are available at the local ski and snowboard school which has a good reputation.

Hotelreservations.com (00800 1276 3549/www.hotelreservations.com) offers two nights at the Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel from £209 (two sharing), half board.

easyJet (0905 821 0905/ www.easyjet.com) offers return flights from London to Inverness from £45.

FOR MIXED-ABILITY GROUPS
The high-altitude, purpose-built resort of Flaine in France's Grand Massif boasts a large, varied ski area with plenty of terrain to suit most levels.

There's also lots of off-piste for boarders to play around in and a good terrain park for practising jumps and tricks.

The resort is dominated by Sixties apartment blocks, but what it lacks in Alpine charm it makes up for in convenience.

Much of the accommodation is close to the ski runs and there's plenty to do off the slopes such as ice driving, snowmobiling, bowling and indoor climbing.

The accommodation is mostly self-catering and the resort has a diverse range of restaurants from family-friendly pizzerias to brasseries serving Savoyard specialities.

There's only one nightclub but some of the bars stay open until the early hours.

Erna Low (0845 863 0525/ www.ernalow.co.uk) offers a three-night weekend break in an apartment from £543 (sleeps six), self-catering. Price includes return Eurotunnel travel. For March departures.