Loft, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, France
It may be a hostel offering budget accommodation with great access to the Paradiski area of Les Arcs, La Plagne and Peisey-Vallandry, but don't expect Loft to scrimp on style. With big lounge areas, Sky TV, a pool table, Wi‑Fi, primary colours and well-thought-out storage, it's a very fresh take on cheap and cheerful. Plus it's just become a test centre for Ride Snowboards, so this season you can try the latest gear for free.
• +33 4 7900 7593, loftbourg.com, dorm beds from €27pp per night
Vert Hotel, Chamonix, France
There's a lot you can achieve with fairy lights, and the Vert demonstrates this with panache in its bar and restaurant. Rooms are decorated with Alpine simplicity and all are en suite with free Wi-Fi. Despite being a 15‑minute walk from town, the Vert hosts some incredibly popular nights and has a friendly, lively après ski dotted with famous extreme sports athletes.
• +33 4 5053 1358, verthotel.com, doubles from €58.50
Rudechalets, Avoriaz, France
Avoriaz has one of the best snowparks in Europe for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. But if you lack the skills to look cool on the slopes, at least with Rude you've got somewhere to retire to that can up your trendiness quota. Their two self-catering apartments are slick white with colourful touches, flatscreen TVs, Xboxes and funky sofas to rest those bruised limbs on.
• 0870 068 7030, rudechalets.com, seven nights self-catering in an apartment sleeping five from £449
Mooser Hotel, St Anton, Austria
Attached to one of the world's greatest and wildest après-ski bars, the new Mooser is a total contrast to the dancing on tables and beer swilling that goes on next door at the MooserWirt bar. Instead, it's a peaceful and uber-stylish bolthole, with a bar that overlooks the slopes, amazing food and a spa with an outdoor pool. Rooms come with iPod docks, giant flatscreen tellies and glass cube bathrooms with blinds.
• Book through Kaluma Ski (01730 260263, kalumatravel.co.uk), four nights from £725pp B&B, based on two sharing
Hôtel Ormelune, Val d'Isère, France
It don't come cheap, but it sure is pretty – the Hôtel Ormelune is heaven for design lovers. Spot a fireplace with flames poking up through smooth pebbles, reindeer-shaped coathooks, piles of vintage suitcases, and red or feathered chandeliers, or find the life‑sized colourfully painted cows – all were added in a revamp two years ago that replaced the Alpine-chintz look with colourful craziness.
• +33 4 7906 1293, ormelune.com, doubles from €180
