Alps tips

Snow is falling around me in large, cinematic flakes. It’s 8.45 on a Tuesday morning in mid-January. I’m sitting at the top of a wide empty ski slope, ready to strap into my snowboard. Within minutes, I’m schussing down the powder-soft run, then back to the resort, ready to open my laptop and start a day of work.

While most ski holidays mean dreamy days of fresh snow and cosy chalets, every winter sees some spoiled by scammers.

The Alps tend to tower to mind when you picture skiing in Europe, cutting across France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

I set clear intentions for my mini holiday. As a self-employed entrepreneur living on the chaotically beautiful island of Sicily and the mother of an ‘energetic’ toddler, I desperately needed ‘me time’.

If you prefer ski holidays to beach breaks, get ready to hop aboard the Eurostar Snow train.

The Eurostar train is launching a new weekly service this winter, making it easier to get to the French Alps in time for ski season.

Any ideas for a snow-free Alps vacation? 

The Three-Star Road in Japan runs from Nagano to Kanazawa in the country’s central belt, taking in spectacular mountain scenery, charming UNESCO-endorsed villages and a collection of tremendous monuments. In fact, the route is named for a series of three-star sights (as recognized by Michelin’s Green Guide Japan). For landscape lovers, culture vultures and adventurous travellers of all persuasions, here’s our guide to exploring the Three-Star Road in the Japan Alps. 

It's difficult to picture the Alps in your mind's eye without a blanket covering of white. But when the snows melt, another side to the region comes alive. Neil McQuillian reports from a verdant and warm Portes du Soleil.