All prices are per person per week based on full capacity in low and high season unless otherwise stated.
1 La Turche Chalets, Les Gets, France
(sleep 12 and 8 respectively)
This pair of semi-detached chalets stand at the end of a picturesque tree-lined blue run. Guests can ski straight from the bootroom door 150 yards to a drag lift, which takes them into the heart of the resort's skiing - and on to the Portes du Soleil circuit. The lounge of each chalet has a balcony which opens onto the piste, so that guests can sit with an end of day drink watching their companions come home.
Costs from £456-£598 per adult, £379-£542 per child, including a ferry crossing or airport transfer and five days' free childcare, breakfasts, teas, evening meals and wine. Ski Famille (01223 363777).
2 Hafjell Mountain, Norway
(sleeps 9)
A typical Norwegian log cabin with grass roof built for the 1994 Winter Olympics held in Lillehammer, which is just 20 minutes away. It's almost at the top of Hafjell mountain and is right on the slopes. There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, a play area for children and a spa room with a huge whirlpool bath, sauna and shower.
Costs from £432 to £907 to rent the entire property for a week. Holiday Rentals quote reference 255.
3 Les Fys, Morzine, France
(sleeps 11)
This beautiful timber and stone former farmhouse with a huge central fireplace has a vast expanse of glass and breathtaking views of the valley. It provides skiing to and from the front door onto a blue run in the resort of Morzine. From the snowmobile ride up to the chalet, the glass of Kir Royale and canapés awaiting you, and the stunning vista revealed on opening the electric blinds, Les Fys is an exclusive retreat, where the only things you'll be disturbed by are wild horses.
Costs from £399 to £789, including flights from Gatwick, transfers, breakfast, afternoon tea (including freshly baked cakes), three-course dinners, wine, coffee and chocolates. Snowline (020 8870 4807).
4 Septieme Ciel, Verbier, Switzerland
(sleeps 12)
Located on the Savoleyres side of Verbier, high above the village, Septieme Ciel is the first chalet to see the morning sun and the last to be bathed in its evening rays. All bedrooms have their own bathrooms and balconies, and the chalet - from the sauna, steam room and cinema, to the games room, whirlpool bath on terrace and well stocked wine cellar - stands in its own grounds with a private drive. You can ski from the door to the piste.
Costs from £16,240 to rent the entire property, including four permanent staff, two cleaners, breakfast, afternoon tea, children's supper, dinner, champagne, canapés, house wine, spirits, liqueurs, fresh flowers, newspapers and even a chauffeured 4x4. Descent International, The Alpine Collection (020 7384 3854).
5 Chalet Le Panoramic, La Clusaz, France
(sleeps 28)
This chalet is right on the main (snow-cannoned) piste of La Clusaz, a traditional French alpine village, and the large sun terrace, equipped with a Scandinavian hot tub, overlooks it.
Costs from £395-£495, including transport from Geneva airport, all meals and drink. £100 off for under-12s. Telephone the owners direct on 01534 863630 or Chez Nous (0870 444 6600).
6 Chalet Oriole, Verbier, Switzerland
(sleeps 6)
Guests can ski in from the Medran or Savoleyres pistes to the charming Chalet Oriole, tucked away among the trees. Savoleyres is ideal for intermediate cruising, the main Medran lifts are 450 metres away, offering access to Ruinettes and then Mt Gele, Attelas or Mont-Fort, with a vast array of terrains, ranging from soft powder and open cruising to near-vertical moguls. The three-bedroom chalet sleeps six and the cosy living room offers a log fire and south-facing balcony.
Costs from £459-£789, including flights from Gatwick to Geneva, transfers, seven nights' catered accommodation (breakfast and afternoon tea daily, and six evening meals with wine and coffee) and the services of resort staff. Total Ski (08701 633 633).
7 Chalet des Neiges, Val d'Isère, France
(sleeps 15)
Of all the chalets in Val d'Isère described as 'ski-in, ski-out', this is among the few where that is not restricted to stuntmen! Chalet des Neiges sits at the bottom of the OK, Orange, Verte and Diebold pistes. These are runs most people warm up on in the morning and ski down in the evening.
The bedrooms are en-suite with internet access and boot warmers. The sitting and dining rooms are chic, with open-plan kitchens, open log fires, wide-screen, all-channel satellite TVs, video recorder and DVD player, and a sauna.
Costs from £565-£955, including flights, transfers, breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés, kir and three-course evening meals. YSE Limited (020 8871 5117)
8 Wildwood Lodge, Whistler, Canada
(sleeps 2-8)
This is located in Whistler's Upper Village offering ski in-ski out access to Blackcomb Mountain lifts. The complex features an outdoor hot tub and pool (open seasonally), secure underground parking, laundry area, ski and bike storage. Each self-catering apartment has full kitchens, gas fireplace, TV, video, deep soaking bathtubs and either a spacious patio or balcony to enjoy your surroundings.
Cost from £531-£2,305 to rent entire apartments sleeping six. Holiday rentals quote reference 2087.
9 Chalet Marsa, Val d'Isère, France
(sleeps 12)
U2 stayed a few years back in this well furnished and equipped log building in the Le Fornet hamlet of Val d'Isere, 100m from the cable car, near the sumptuous L'Arolay restaurant. It boasts a sauna, shower and hot tub. The two staff live in, and will provide you with breakfast, afternoon tea and a three-course meal, plus cheese and a choice of wine.
Costs from £695-£995, including return flights from Gatwick, transfers and food. Children, aged two-nine years get £50 off, those under two go free. Finlays Skiing Holidays (01835 830562).
10 Åre Bjornen, Åre, Sweden
(sleeps 6)
This self-catering cabin sits at the foot of the Bjornen slopes. Three bedrooms, satellite TV, dishwashers and private saunas. Perfect for families with a kindergarten and children's ski school, the 'Troll Club'. Priced on a half-board basis (meals are taken at the hotel complex 25 metres away).
Costs from £435-£609 including flights from Gatwick, transfers and half-board accommodation, plus either a free dog sleigh ride, reindeer safari or snowmobiling excursion. Neilson (0870 333 3347).
11 Walkenmeyer Home, Silver Star, Canada
(sleeps 8)
This private, self-catering timber home has huge picture windows looking out on some of the 107 runs at the small pretty Silver Star resort, a neighbour to Big White, British Columbia. You can peer from the hot tub on the roof as family or friends ski between pines and up to the front door.
Costs from £735-£1090, including flights and transfers. Ski Safari (01273 223680).
12 Le Pacha, Nendaz, Switzerland
(sleeps 6)
Just a 100m ski to the slopes of the Valais system with links to the huge four valleys ski network of Verbier, Siviez, Mayens de Riddes, Veysonnaz and Les Collons, Le Pacha nestles into the traditional Swiss village of Nendaz. This simply furnished self-catering chalet commands great views of the mountains and valley below, and provides great immediate skiing.
Rent for the entire property for a week is £811 in January and £870 at Easter. Interhome (020 8891 1294).
13 Chalets Jennewein and Joachim, St Anton, Austria
(sleep 9 and 13 respectively)
Each self-contained apartment occupies a floor of this chalet with balconies overlooking the piste leading into the back garden. Typically Austrian, spacious, comfortable in modern style. With an in-house chalet host and cook.
Costs from £469 to £819, including flights from Gatwick, transfers, cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, three-course meal, wines. Total Ski (08701 633633).
14 Chalet Mimi, Courchevel 1550, France
(sleeps 15)
One of the finest chalets, quietly located in the popular and bustling resort of Courchevel 1550. Built in traditional Savoyard style, beautifully decorated and furnished in light pine, alpine charm oozes from every nook and cranny. Features include a cosy log fire in the sitting-room and secluded balconies with wonderful views. You can ski from the doorstep if conditions permit.
Costs from £455, including return flights, transfers, breakfast, afternoon tea and cake, three-course dinners with local wine and coffee and a farewell feast. Crystal Ski (0870 888 0252)
15 Chalet Eugenia, Klosters, Switzerland
(sleeps 15)
Built by multi-millionairess Baroness Thyssen-Bornemisza in the resort's early years, Chalet Eugenia offers eight individually designed bedrooms over four floors. Most rooms have their own balconies with southerly views of the impressive Gotschna. The location makes it ideal for families, with a beginner's piste on the doorstep easily visible from the chalet, allowing parents to relax indoors while their children play in the snow.
One of the two dining rooms is equipped with the original wood-fired oven in which the chef will prepare many of the region's special dishes. The chalet is located in the village, a short stroll from the restaurants, bars and lifts but is also extremely private with its own driveway and several acres of open space between it and the nearest chalets to the south.
Costs from £18,495 to £33,500 to rent entire for a week, including six staff, breakfast, afternoon tea, champagne, canapes, five evening meals, selected wines, range of spirits and two chauffeured 4x4s. Elegant Resorts (01244 897333).
