Head to the slopes with our ski holiday guide

Crisp white snow, the thrill of a downhill run, the pure pleasure of being outside surrounded by some of the world's most spectacular scenery and evenings enjoying cups of hot chocolate with friends around a roaring log fire — these are some of the reasons that draw millions to people to the ski fields each year. It's a pastime for all ages — and budgets.

Best time to go skiing

While the obvious answer is winter, there are multiple other factors to take into account. Optimal skiing conditions are when there is plenty of soft, fresh snow which hasn't started to melt or turn to ice. With this in mind, the window of opportunity is reduced considerably. As temperatures rise around the globe you will find that most of the northern hemisphere's slopes are still closed in December.

January sees the snow arrive and February is considered a good month to get out on the slopes before the temperatures rise and the snow melts or turns to ice around mid March. Each year is different and you'll need to keep your ear to the ground to find out what the conditions are like in various parts of the world. The good news for winter sports lovers is that the experts are predicting heavy snowfalls this coming 2011-2012 season. Check out www.j2ski.com/snow_forecast for up-to-the-minute information.

What to know when booking

The best way to book a ski holiday is via the internet. There are plenty of sites dedicated to providing all you might need to make your dream winter holiday hassle free. Shop around to find the best deals, which can include some, or all, of the following — flights, airport transfers, accommodation in luxury resorts, with or without meals included, self-catering apartments which are great for families, equipment hire, ski classes, time on the slopes, snow-lift use and insurance. www.powderhounds.com can organise all-inclusive ski holidays in spectacular places all around the world.

Cross-country versus downhill

Are you interested in skiing, but not sure where to start? Are you debating whether downhill or cross-country would be best for you? Here are some tips to help you decide. From a technical point of view, the difference between the two types of skiing is that in cross-country skiing only the toe of your boot is attached to your ski. In downhill skiing, the entire boot is attached to the ski by the binding. Cross-country skiers can go up and down a variety of terrains. Downhill skiers can go down the mountain, at a higher rate of speed than a cross country skier can. What's important, though, to a downhill skier, is that thrill of going down the mountain. Cross-county has a number of important benefits. It's cheaper, as you don't need to use ski lifts and it's great for groups of friends and families as you can all stay together. Cross-country trails go through some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet and you'll avoid a lot of the crowds. If safety is an issue, you are less likely to have falls or accidents while going at the slower pace across the cross-country snowfields.

Family destinations

Besides the sheer wholesomeness of being outdoors, exercising, and not sitting in front of computer or TV screen for hours on end, family ski holidays have a number of special benefits. As kids get older, parents often find it harder to pull the family together with a fun activity that all ages enjoy. Skiing and snowboarding are exciting for everyone.

Meanwhile, for the younger set, virtually every ski resort has programmes for ages three and up, usually with a mix of indoor fun plus beginner ski instruction. The earlier kids start skiing, the easier the sport will be for them. By the teen years, they'll be proficient, and the fun just gets better through to the young adult years. Long known as a bargain, duty-free spot, Andorra has been given a new lease of life over the past five years with new hotels offering family-style fun and lifts, meaning it's become the perfect place for mum, dad and the kids. The two main ski regions — Grandvalira (www.granvalira.com) and Vallnord (www.vallnord.com) — are both popular with families taking advantage of the reasonably priced package deals, so although Andorra is still in the Eurozone, it's relatively affordable.

— Scott Adams is a Madrid-based freelance writer

Classic versus new

Skiing immediately brings to mind classic winter locations that have become synonymous with style, romance, action and adventure. Here are five of the best classic sites, besides five of the newest ski resorts which are now drawing crowds.

Best classic resorts

Aspen, California
Great après-skin www.aspen.ski.com

Chamonix, France
Some of the most challenging slopes in Europe.
www.chamonix.com

Cortina, Italy
Mix with European royalty and celebrities.
 www.cortina.ski.com

St Moritz, Switzerland
Incredible views of the Alps.
www.stmoritz.ch

Banff, Canada
Divide your time between skiing and snowboarding with a young crowd.n www.skibanff.com

Best new resorts

Baqueira-Beret, Spain
Great slopes for experienced skiers.
www.baqueira.costasur.com

Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
Great for beginners and children.
 www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Platak, Croatia
Perfect for those on a smaller budget.
www.totallyski.co.uk/Platak

Seefeld, Austria
Spectacular slopes and powdery snow.
www.skiseefeld.com

Krasnaya Polyana, Russia
Great nightlife and après-ski.
www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Russia/Krasnaya_Polyana snow

Snow gear

Ski clothing is more varied, fashionable, affordable and easy to find than ever. For online shopping try specialist stores Snow+Rock (www.snowandrock.com) or Ellis Brigham (www.ellis-brigham.com). New "intelligent" fabrics ensure you stay warm, dry, comfortable — and odour-free. But for your first trip, try to borrow some of the clothing from friends, rather than forking out a fortune. Layering is the key to staying warm. You need a warm base layer, an insulating mid-layer and a robust but breathable outer layer to protect you from the elements. Wear thermals or long-johns for extra warmth. You also need to invest in proper ski socks, called tubes, to keep your feet warm and protect you from chafing from your boots. Gloves and a hat are essential to keep your extremities warm. You also need specialist snow sports eyewear — check out Adidas Eyewear (www.adidas.com) for goggles in various colours and interchangeable or prescription lenses. Once you know you're hooked, it's worth buying your own ski boots to ensure perfect fit and comfort. A final consideration is a helmet. These provide protection in the case of unexpected falls and are becoming increasingly popular on the slopes.

Snowboarding

Almost all ski slopes have an area set aside for snowboarding. This popular sport is different to skiing as it involves the rider using just one flat board about 70cm long attached to his feet via a boot. Many ski runs also have specially set up snowboarding areas with ramps, jumps and huddles so that riders can perform tricks. But be warned, while skiing produces a number of casualties each year, snowboarding accidents are more than double and most injuries involve those with little experience. One of the top places to indulge in this adrenaline-charged sport is at Tignes, France (www.tignes.net/en). This resort simply has everything you need for a brilliant snowboarding trip. You'll never get bored of the massive expanse of terrain which provides opportunities for some amazing stunts, while the snowboarding nightlife is reportedly as wild. There are fantastic powdery bowls and, the views of the lake below are stunning. Across in the USA, you can't go wrong at Lake Tahoe (www.skilaketahoe.com) . With several large resorts spread around the lake there is a phenomenal amount of terrain to explore. There are endless kilometres of nearly-deserted, powdery slopes and hours of fun snowboarding through the trees, plus thrilling steep, deep runs with opportunities for daredevil jumps.