As India’s winter temperatures go haywire and you pull out your thickest woollies, it’s the same story in Europe. But the biting cold is completely worthwhile, as many say this is the best ski season ever in the Alps. So strap on your skis for a quick ride through some of Europe’s liveliest ski resorts.

St. Anton

St. Anton am Arlberg is located in the Tyrolean Alps in western Austria. Known as one of the best ski resorts in the world, it has pistes or ski paths that are nearly 280km long. If you want a break from skiing, there are tons of sporting activities to indulge in.

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The resort’s official site (www.stantonamarlberg.com) offers accommodation options and deals including stay and ski passes. The nearest airport is at Innsbruck, from where you can take a bus to St. Anton. Return airfare between Calcutta and Innsbruck starts from Rs 53,000.

For a more leisurely stay, go for Raffl’s St. Antoner Hof. Tariffs range between 315 euros (Rs 21,000) and 365 euros (Rs 24,000) per person, per day depending on the room and include breakfast, dinner, after-ski meals and use of the spa area. Valid between February 25 and April 15, 2012. Go to www.antonerhof.at.

Laax

Laax, in the Swiss Alps, is among Europe’s nicest winter resorts. It consists of Laax, Flims and Falera villages, and pistes nearly 220km long. Pleasant restaurants and bars will keep you entertained in-between your ski runs.

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You can book accommodation, ski passes and low-cost packages on www.laax.com. The nearest airport is in Zurich and you can book transfers on the site. Return airfare between Calcutta and Zurich starts from Rs 39,000.

We recommend the Waldhaus Flims Mountain Resort & Spa’s Ski-in Special package from February 27 to March 30, 2012. Tariffs range from 680 CHF (Rs 37,000 approx.) to 757 CHF (about Rs 41,000) per person on double occupancy basis, depending on the room. It includes a 2-night stay with breakfast, a 2-day ski pass and free use of the spa. The hotel also arranges airport transfers at an extra charge. Write to info@waldhaus-flims.ch.

Courchevel

Set in the French Alps, this resort in Saint-Bon-Tarentaise is part of The Three Valleys — the world’s biggest ski area. Courchevel’s towns are spread over varying heights and Courchevel 1850 (1,850m) is the most popular part of the resort. It attracts the rich and famous and packs in a dose of lifestyle picks few can match.

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Plan your stay at www.courchevel.com, which offers terrific properties, ski passes and more. Courchevel is two hours away from Lyon by road, and you can book transfers on the site. Return airfare between Calcutta and Lyon starts from Rs 50,000.

To travel in a big group (and in unmitigated luxury), book the Chalet Le Blanchot for a week. You’ll get the services of a manager, daily maintenance, Internet and all utility bills (except for the telephone). A chef, a ski instructor, a car on rent or a chauffeur cost extra. The chalet is available for hire between March 24 and 31 for 66,000 euros (nearly Rs 43 lakh) and from April 14 to 21, 2012 for 45,000 euros (about Rs 30 lakh). Write to rentals@oneauthenticproperties.com.

Cervinia

The quaint resort of Cervinia rests at the foot of the Matterhorn in the Italian Alps. Its ski area stretches over three valleys, extending into Switzerland. You can go up to the peak of Little Matterhorn via a ski lift — the highest point of this ski area, and the end point of the highest cable car system in Europe.

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There are various deals on www.cervinia.it. The nearest airport is in Turin, 118km away. You can book transfers on the site. Return airfare between Calcutta and Turin starts from Rs 49,000.

Then there’s Hotel Hermitage’s 4-night, 5-day Super Ski package between March 12 and May 1, 2012. Tariffs start from 1,200 euros (approx. Rs 78,000) and go up to 2,350 euros (about Rs 1.53 lakh) per person on double occupancy basis, depending on the room. It includes accommodation with breakfast and dinner and a 3-day international ski pass for the Italian and Swiss areas. Go to www.hotelhermitage.com.