Aim high for an early ski holiday

There's just a couple of months to go before the first ski lifts open, but if you're planning an early ski holiday you'll need to think carefully about where you're likely to get good snow.

Last winter many Alpine ski resorts were deep in snow by late November, but there's no guarantee that ski conditions will be just as good this year. If you want plenty of the white stuff, you'll have to aim high, head north and go west.

La Plagne in France is one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Alps. Linking to Les Arcs via a double-decker cable car it also offers some of the most extensive skiing in the world.

Two other high-altitude French resorts, Tignes and Val Thorens, are also generally snow-sure and a good bet for an early season ski holiday. Try Crystal (www.crystal.co.uk) for flights and hotels.

Saas Fee in Switzerland boasts a glacier which is snow covered almost all year long. Rns to the village are usually skiable from early December. Try Kuoni (www.kuoni.co.uk) for ski packages.

Mammoth Mountain in California has one of the longest seasons of all the ski U.S resorts, opening in late November until July. Ski packages are available from several UK tour operators, including Crystal Ski for the first time this year.

If you don't want to fly across the Atlantic but you want guaranteed snow, go north to Finland. Admittedly the downhill skiing is limited but the gentle slopes make this a great place to learn and there are lots of other winter activities besides.

In Finland ou can go husky dog sledging, ice fishing, take a reindeer ride, hire a snowmobile or try cross-country skiing instead. Look at Thomsonski.co.uk for packages.

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