The European Alps cover most of Austria, so it’s really no surprise that this country is one of Europe’s top ski destinations. Unlike some other European countries, Austrian ski villages are chocolate-box traditional and pretty, centring round an onion-domed church rather than a coach park. It also has a reputation for having high standard accommodation that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

The slopes in Austria tend to be well laid out, with excellent mountain facilities, modern lift systems and pistes that don’t tend to get too clogged with skiers (except for peak season when the whole of Europe goes skiing). Many resorts have pretty, tree-lined slopes, even if they aren’t all that long. Boarders have been widely accepted for a while now and there is quite a ‘scene’ going on here.