When to go

Firstly, when can you travel? If you’re not tied to travelling during the school holidays you could halve the cost of a trip. The least expensive times to ski are before Christmas (pick a high-altitude resort for the best early season snow); the second and third weeks of January; and the end of the season, when you’ll also benefit from sunny days.

Where to go

Establish priorities. Do you picture idyllic mountain scenes with long lunches in cosy chalets? Or are you focused on maximising time on the slopes? If it’s the former, stick to the Alps and go for authentic mountain towns like Alpbach, Lech and Alta Badia. If slope time is a priority, consider high-altitude resorts with ski-in/ski-out convenience such as Val Thorens, Avoriaz or Alpe d’Huez. Alternatively, consider resorts in Colorado (above) like Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge, where tuition is excellent, the quality and consistency of the snow surpasses Europe, and the slopes are quieter.

Where to stay

Your next decision is whether to stay in a hotel, catered chalet or self-catered chalet/apartment. Hotels typically offer more facilities and can be less expensive than catered chalets, although chalets offer greater privacy for groups and are increasingly offering hotel-quality dining, spas and pools. Chalet hotels blend the two relatively inexpensively: rooms in a larger chalet can be taken individually and meals are communal, making for a sociable vibe. A growing trend is for operators to offer bespoke catering, delivering meals to your chalet as (in)frequently as you wish.

How to go

As a first-timer, you’re unlikely to bring your own skis or board, which makes flying a quick and affordable option. Geneva airport is an obvious choice for reaching the Alps, but don’t forget other airports: Grenoble, Friedrichshafen and Salzburg offer even quicker access to resorts such as Méribel, St Anton and Kitzbuhel.

If you rent a car from the airport, ensure it comes with winter tyres and request snow chains for good measure. However, cars aren’t usually required in ski resorts (and are banned in Zermatt and Saas Fee) as most offer free local transport, making public transport or a shared/private airport transfer a good option (try FindTransfers.com). It’s essential to pre-book airport transfers and, while you’re at it, book your lift pass, rental equipment and lessons online, securing the best value for money and best kit, and saving valuable time in the resort.

What to bring

The quality of rental equipment is always improving, not only skis and boards but comfortable boots, helmets and clothing. However, some staples will come in handy back home as well as on the slopes, so consider investing in a GoreTex jacket; lightweight down jacket; breathable thermals; reinforced ski socks; and waterproof, rubber-soled boots.