Skiing has such appeal at this time of year. Not least because this is the part of the calendar that we get snowfall at most of the good ski resorts, but there's something else that makes it an exciting January through to March pursuit.
It's all so wholesome and Heidi-esque: days spent swooshing down the icy mountains, inhaling Olympian-like gulps of clean Alpine air, full of health-giving negative ions that city air just doesn't deliver to our shrivelled urban lungs. It's perfect for those wanting a little bit of detox and a great deal more movement in their lives, as the new year begins.
The al fresco calorie-burning means you can guiltlessly wolf down vast quantities of exquisite food prepared by some MasterChef-worthy Henrietta or Hugo gap-yearing as a chalet person. And that at night, physically - instead of mentally - exhausted, you can tuck your weary limbs under crisp, white, light-as-air duvets or tuck into a really nice bottle of wine.
Plus, it's such a great activity to share with friends. So, with that in mind, here are a few of the best resorts in the world for skiing.
Reviews by: Rowena Carr-Allinson, Tom Horan, Kerry Potter, Michelle Margherita, Sara d'Souza
Viceroy Snowmass, Colorado
Where: In the heart of the beautiful Colorado Rockies, Aspen and Snowmass are seen as one entity, but are in fact six miles apart. Snowmass is on the side of the mountain, close to various camps and resorts and a mile from Elk Camp.
Stay: With huge rooms, stylish rustic-luxe decor by designer Jean-Michel Gathy (neutral tones and a contemporary ski-lodge vibe), boutique spa and a couple of laid-back dining rooms, it's little wonder that everyone from the Obamas to Rihanna check in for a quiet slice of piste-side luxury.
Best bit: The Viceroy Snowmass might seem to be on the wrong end of the village, but it's only a four-minute walk to Snowmass Ski Resort (one minute on the complimentary golf-buggy shuttle). It's also home to the coolest cocktail bar in town, has a brilliant pool and outdoor hot tub, and the best views of Snowmass Mountain.
Viceroy Snowmass, 130 Wood Road, Snowmass Village, CO 81515, Colorado; 001 970 923 8000.
British Airways flies a return to Aspen with one stop for between £600-750 and you can find similar prices with American Airlines too.
Grand Hotel Praha, Slovakia
Where: The Alp-like Tatra Mountains make a natural border between Poland and Slovakia, with the highest peak on the latter side. The skiing's good and inexpensive.
Stay: This fairytale chateau is close to the slopes and 20 minutes by car from the airport, so handy for weekend skiing. Decor is Belle Époque, with sweeping staircases, chandeliers and gold-walled corridors. In the 30 rooms in the new wing, expect wooden floors, shag-pile rugs and grand mirrors. The other 106 are more old-school opulence, with fur throws and voile canopies over beds. Three-course dinners are hearty rather than fancy, but a steal for the price.
Best bit: The spa's outdoor heated infinity pool overlooks snow-capped peaks and the valley below.
Grandhotel Praha, Tatranská Lomnica 8, 059 60, Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia; 421 44 290 1338. Doubles from £102, room only.
Mountain Paradise offers good deals for three nights' half-board, including ski passes, ski hire, unlimited spa use, return flights and transfers.
Chalet Eagle's Nest, Val d'Isère
Where: Perched on a mountain at the end of a spectacular Alpine valley, the Eagle's Nest Chalet looks down on Val d'Isère, France's most glamorous ski resort.
Stay: Your driver will whisk you up to the fully staffed, seven-bedroom chalet (which sleeps up to 13 people) via a private tunnel that twists dramatically through the Alpine rock face. Inside, a traditional ski lodge-vibe is given a contemporary edge, with real fires, pine furniture, an indoor pool with integrated Sonos sound system and creative nightly menus from the resident chef.
Best bit: Chalet staff can kit you out for the pistes in the basement boot room and prepare delicious tea and cakes for your return. Recharge after a day on the slopes in the outdoor hot tub before moving on to an expertly crafted cocktail or two.
Chalet Eagle's Nest, Val d'Isère sleeps 13. Ski specialists Scott Dunn, 020 8682 5050, offers seven nights from £1,630pp, half-board (including champagne and other alcohol) including BA flights, private airport transfers, chef, host and in-resort driver service.
Amazon Creek Chalet, Chamonix
Where: The French town of Chamonix practically borders Italy and Switzerland, so you're well placed for multilingual on-piste adventures.
Stay: Everything in this five-bedroom chalet is toasty and cosseting: there's room for 10 people, the private spa includes an outdoor hot tub with mountain views. There are copious faux-fur rugs, throws and cushions, and the lounge has an open fireplace and handy ski-boot warmers.
Best bit: The service is faultless, as is the food: poached eggs in the morning and hearty evening meals served with the best French wine. There is an on-demand chauffeur to whizz you to the ski lifts – so no lugging heavy gear. We felt like spoilt toddlers, albeit ones mainlining Pouilly-Fumé. The sign of a great holiday, non?
Chalet Amazon Creek, 165 Route du Mont, Les Bossons, 74400, Chamonix ; 01865 865 456. From around £1,432pp for a week full board, including airport transfers and chauffeur.
Swiss International Air Lines has return flights from London Heathrow to Geneva from £177
Bellevue, Davos Wiesen
Where: Fancy practising your parallel turns next to Prince Harry? Now's your chance, as the Davos-Klosters region, in Switzerland's spectacular Graubünden, is home to some of the most fashionable skiing in Europe.
Stay: Guests have been watching the sun set over Mount Tinzenhorn since the Bellevue Wiesen first opened as hotel in the 1800s. A total update has meant elegant wood-panelled walls, roaring open fires and 21 en-suite rooms with underfloor heating.
Best bit: It's cheap, and just a 20-minute drive to Davos Platz where the ski lifts are. Après ski? Soothe ski-weary muscles at nearby Alvaneu thermal baths, rent e-bikes to whizz about on and when you're done, head to the Bellevue's gin bar, which has more than 100 brands.
Hotel Bellevue Wiesen, Hauptstrasse 9, 7494 Wiesen, Switzerland, +41 (0)81 404 11 50. Doubles from £63, B&B
easyJet has return flights to Zurich from London Gatwick from around £49.
Reviews by: Rowena Carr-Allinson, Tom Horan, Kerry Potter, Michelle Margherita, Sara d'Souza
