Which ski tribe are you?

Skiing is all well and good – if it’s a blue sky day – but in any other conditions the only thing that will be flexed is your Amex.

Where to go: Lech, Austria. If you’re after easy-breezy blue runs, perfect for pootling around while looking chic, Austria’s most upmarket resort is for you. It’s a hugely popular destination with affluent Germans, who cruise into the small village in their Porsches by the thousand. What’s more, Lech offers a more refined luxury than the likes of Courchevel in France. During the day, skiers decked out in Chanel ski gear swoop down the corduroy slopes, while those less keen on sliding downhill can explore the small boutique shops that flank the high street, or idle away hours sipping hot chocolate in one of the small cafés. Last season saw an expansion of the ski area, thanks to a new gondola linking the resort to nearby Warth-Schröcken – the Alps’ snowiest ski resort – which doubled the size of the ski area, so you won’t run out of terrain anytime soon.

Where to stay: Lech is home to one of the world’s most expensive ski retreats, the six-star Chalet N (www.chalet-n.com), which is situated in (even more) exclusive Oberlech. Costing an eye-watering minimum of Dh1.24 million a week, the chalet sleeps up to 24 people. There’s bulletproof glass and a Swarovski rainforest shower with a hand-strung crystal curtain, while the cutlery is made from pure titanium. And in the cellar there is a cinema room, with Gucci sofas. But of course, you can still be a snow queen without parting with a small fortune: the four-star Hotel Monzabon (www.monzabon.at) has rooms from Dh620, and its own spa, pool and ice rink.

The lowdown: Flights with Swiss, Dubai to Zurich return, from Dh1,235.

You want to spend your days ripping up the mountain, and your evenings enjoying some après-ski fun.

Where to go: Ischgl, Austria. This is the party capital of the Alps – in fact by mid-afternoon the music is reverberating around the high mountain peaks, and once the lifts stop turning for the day, the frolics continue in the town. But don’t party too hard: the skiing here is excellent too, with plenty of testing terrain, and interesting off-piste routes. It’s also possible to ski into Switzerland, to the small duty-free village of Samnaun; border-checks are rare, but nonetheless, make sure to ski with your passport. Ischgl is famed for its all-star concerts that herald the opening and closing of the resort each season. Previous acts to take to the high-altitude stage include the likes of Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Elton John. Last month, British folk-rock sensation James Blunt kicked off winter with a live performance.

Where to stay: Ischgl is a classy resort, which is good news, as you’ll need somewhere decent to rest your head after all the skiing and après-ski excitement. The majority of hotels have four-stars to their name, while the one five-star residence, the Trofana Royal (www.trofana-royal.at; five nights from Dh4,475) is one of Austria’s plushiest hotels.

The lowdown: Flights with Swiss, Dubai to Zurich return, from Dh1,235.

You’re not content with a day on the slopes unless you’ve felt your heart pounding and have skied in knee-deep snow.

Where to go: Niseko, Japan. One of the snowiest resorts in the world, Niseko should feature highly on any exotic skiers’ wish list — especially those seeking off-piste terrain. Here you’ll find some of the lightest, fluffiest powder on earth. And when it snows, it really snows: in fact, it’s common for a storm to last seven days, which makes for unbeatable powder skiing. Once the clouds disperse, marvel at the Mount Yotei volcano, which dominates the vista. It’s all very Japanese; the lift attendees – armed with little brushes – dust any fresh snow off your head and bow as you board lifts, while a trip to the local onsen is considered as après-skiing. These complexes comprise hot baths, showers and volcanic thermal pools, and play a key part in Japanese culture. Men and woman shower and bathe in separate areas, but have the option of congregating together in a communal pool.

Where to stay: The ski-in, ski-out Green Leaf Resort (www.thegreenleafhotel.com;  rooms from around Dh1,043) is a popular choice. A recent refurbishment has helped maintain the high standards to which one becomes accustomed while skiing in Japan.

The lowdown: Air China flights, Dubai to Sapporo return, with an overnight layover in Beijing, from Dh4,750.

You have children in tow, so need a spot where the terrain suits all ages and abilities.

Where to go: Les Arcs, France. The slopes here have something for everyone. Experts will find it hard to exhaust the terrain, thanks to the long descents, including some challenging steep ones, while intermediate skiers will particularly enjoy the Peisey-Vallandry area. It’s especially suited to families – and mixed-ability groups – because many of the major routes have an easy option as well as a more challenging one. This season also sees the opening of a new €36m (Dh165m) ski area called Mille 8. It’s at the bottom of existing slopes, and the centrepiece will be an Aquafun Centre with an outdoor heated pool and hot tubs. There will also be a toboggan trail, a freestyle skiing section, night skiing and a kids’ playground with igloos and a mini toboggan run.

Where to stay: Until recently, there was a somewhat limited choice of hotels here, but that’s changing. Built a few years ago, the four-star Hotel Aiguille Grive (www.hotelaiguillegrive.com; rooms from Dh1,150) is unquestionably the best option. However, it’s less hotel, more private retreat, as the complex consists of six beautifully designed chalets. Each building features between four and six bedrooms, and can be rented as a whole, or by the room.

The lowdown: Flights with Swiss, Dubai to Geneva return via Zurich, from Dh1,200.

Where to go: Deer Valley, Utah. Skiers rule the roost here, so much so that snowboarders are banned, on the premise that they cause more trouble than they’re worth. It is lavishly upmarket, and offers arguably the best service of any North American ski resort. You need not fret about lugging your skis to the lift, or struggling to get them out of the clunky carrier on the side of the gondola – here that’s all taken care of by the attentive workers. The slopes are immaculately prepared each evening, but for those seeking more adventurous terrain there is also a fair share of tree skiing and some mogul runs to tackle. For the uninitiated, the resort offers free tours – with well-spoken and superbly polite guides – to suit all levels of skiers. These are perfect for those looking to see more of the ski area, or whose travel companions have differing ski ability.

Where to stay: Naturally you should opt for somewhere traditional. Stein Eriksen Lodge (www.steinlodge.com; rooms from Dh830) is the resort’s most luxurious hotel, yet it is unpretentious and homely. After a long day on the slopes unwind with a massage in the hotel’s spa, or loosen your muscles with a dip in the hot tub.

The lowdown: Flights with Delta Airlines, Dubai to Salt Lake City via Atlanta, from Dh4,660.

You are chained to your desk, but know you can spare a weekend to get your snow fix.

Where to go: Mzaar, Lebanon. You can hop on a plane on a Thursday afternoon from Dubai, enjoy two full days on the slopes, and be back at your desk Sunday morning. Skiing in Lebanon isn’t a new pastime, the first skiers recorded here made tracks in the 1950s, but it’s definitely growing in popularity. Mzaar is the country’s biggest resort, and boasts 42 slopes – with a combined length of 80km – and 18 lifts. The queues are refreshingly short, allowing you to make the most of even the shortest of trips. The marked trails present some good terrain, however, Mzaar’s real treats lie beyond the pistes, so hire a local guide for a tour of the backcountry. Just before sunset, make tracks to the summit of Mzaar Mountain, from where you can spy the sea on the horizon.

Where to stay: By far the best place to stay is the Intercontinental Resort and Spa (www.icmzaar.com; rooms from Dh810), which has direct access to the slopes. You’ll have plenty of choice for dinner here — the hotel boasts five restaurants, which take inspiration from different regions of the world. The resort’s proximity to Beirut (90 minutes to downtown) makes staying in the city and travelling to the resort a viable option, and allows you to ski in the morning, before enjoying a dip in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the afternoon.

The lowdown: Middle East Airlines flights, Dubai to Beirut return, from Dh1,595.

You’re travelling with your family, but you’re a child at heart and want an active holiday with plenty to do.

Where to go: Chamonix, France. Sitting in the shadow of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, there are few places so inspiring to visit, let alone ski. Chamonix is one of the world’s most famous resorts, and, in fact, attracts more visitors in the summer than the winter. Of course, there’s tons of skiing, but there’s also just about every winter activity you could imagine on offer. The adventurous can take to the skies on a tandem-paraglider, or try skijoring – skiing towed by a horse. Dog sledding is also hugely popular, and excursions can be made by day or night. There’s also an ice rink and a sports centre with a pool. Luckily, as you’ll need it after all the excitement, there’s a spa where you can unwind and enjoy virtually every variety of massage.

Where to stay: Newly opened last winter, the four-star Hotel Héliopic (www.heliopic-hotel-spa.com; rooms from Dh1,100) is a well-appointed property, where traditional alpine architecture is merged with contemporary design elements. The hotel is also home to a large swimming pool and spa area, which includes a hot- and cold-tub, an ice cave, sauna and a relaxation lounge.

The lowdown: Flights with Swiss, Dubai to Geneva return via Zurich, from Dh1,200.