Stuttgart, Germany

Stuttgart is a great starting place for a ski holiday. The city is surrounded by tens of ski resorts with a wide variety of services.

If you are looking for a family friendly option, try Bläsiberg-Wiesensteig, only 50 kilometres from central Stuttgart. There are prepared slopes for all difficulty levels, including an easy practice slope for kids, and a good ski school.

Wiesensteig is a medieval town with a storybook feel, making it very suitable for families. For accommodation try one of the several traditional guest houses. Hotel Gasthof am Seltetor is a modestly priced but cozy favourite of skiers.

If you are looking for a livelier experience head out to Feldberg. It is further away from Stuttgart but offers over 30 kilometres of slopes and high altitudes. The views from the top are spectacular. For those wanting to experiment there are forest and freeride runs too.

Feldberg draws in a younger crowd and the après ski scene should not be missed. Popular choices include the bar at Feldberger Hof hotel and Himalaya lodge.

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Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck is conveniently located in the middle of six different ski areas. There are very good options for experienced skiers wanting a challenge, but also resorts that cater for families and first-timers.

The daring and experienced could try out Hafelekar. The highest point is at an altitude of 2300 metres and the top offers panoramic views across the area. The Hafelekar run is one of the steepest in Europe and suitable only for very confident skiers. Many hard-core sportspeople love it, especially on days when there is a coat of fresh powder snow.

Schlick 2000 offers more options for sport lovers of all experience levels, ages, and preferences. It is very close to Innsbruck city center making it also handy to reach. There are plenty of slopes, as well as snowboarding, cross-country skiing and even sledding and paragliding.

The Innsbruck area has a definite cool edge and stylish skiers gather in the various watering holes around the city. Some of the favourites are a combination of a café, bar, and a concept shop called Hitt und Söhne and the hipster local Kater Noster, where you can fuel up with some great cakes and coffee.

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Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva is a firm favourite of many skiers as there are several great resorts surrounding the city. The closest ones can be reached in about an hour by car.

The closest option from the city is Praz de Lys, a charmingly traditional resort. There are slopes for beginners and more experienced skiers alike - some with breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc. The resort offers many other activities too for those who want to try something new. You could give snowshoeing or dog sledding a whirl for example.

The resort offers lovely options for après ski activities too with 11 restaurants and several bars. More can be found in the nearby Taninges, a picture-perfect Alpine village.

If you want to be in the middle of action, choose one of the resorts in Portes du Soleil instead. One of the largest is Les Gets, with an astounding 280 slopes and over 650 kilometres of pistes.

Les Gets suits families and there is plenty to do for both children and adults. The resort organizes something, such are markets, workshops, and concerts, nearly every day during the peak season. The restaurant scene is excellent too. If you really want to take in the views make sure to go to La Grande Ourse, a restaurant perched up on a mountain at 1725 metres.

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