Snow of the week

Invest in a good pair of sunglasses, as there is more sun than snow in Europe at the moment and the view over the Alps will be stunning. Cruise the higher slopes, get tanned, act pure as the driven slush. Like your hangover, the snow will soften in the afternoon. In France, Tignes has excellent skiing throughout, 106cm of snow on the lower slopes and 200cm up top. Val d'Isère (70cm/170cm) and Courchevel (32cm/187cm) also offer consistent snow.On Switzerland's peaks the going is good to firm. Both the high altitude Zermatt (30cm/ 220cm) and Saas Fee (45cm/ 249cm) offer the chance of powder. St Anton, Austria, enjoyed 30cm snowfall a week ago and this leaves it firm with a lower-slope depth of 35cm and an upper of 340cm.

North America's West Coast is also basking in the rays while retaining decent skiing conditions. In Utah, Snowbird (195cm/210cm), with a metre of fresh fall in the past week, soars above the competition.

Deal of the week

Mark Warner has availability in Val d'Isère departing Gatwick 14 April. Seven nights at the Moris Chalethotel is £319 per adult including flights, transfers, accommodation, breakfast, brunch and evening meals (0870 770 4226).

Website of the week

www.ski-injury.com. This site, put together by Mike Langran, a Scottish doctor, has lots of interesting statistics (for every 1,000 people skiing on average between two and four will require medical attention. For snowboarding the rate goes up to three to five per 1,000) and advice on injury prevention. The squeamish might want to give the injury gallery a miss.