Getting there: Kate Muir and family travelled with Neilson (0870 3333347, www.neilson.co.uk) and stayed at the Forest Cabins in Geilo. During the school Christmas holidays, the price is from £695 per adult, £625 per child. In the February half-term (2006), it is from £775 per adult, £698 per child, and in the Easter holidays from £655 per adult, £590 per child. Prices are based on seven to ten people sharing, self-catering, and include flights from Gatwick and transfers.

On the slopes: Pre-bookable ski packs that include five days’ tuition, six-day equipment hire and a six-day lift pass cost £210 per adult, £110 for children aged 4-6, £175 for children from 7-15. Daily childcare for 2-11s ranges from £95 for six half-days to £155 for six full days. Crèches are available in resort for younger children (payable locally). Scheduled flights leave from Heathrow, Aberdeen and Manchester (in addition to Gatwick).

Off the slopes: Norway is a good destination if you have non-skiers in your group or prefer to mix skiing with outdoor activities such as dog sledding or ice fishing.

Further information: Norwegian Tourist Board (0906 3022003, www.visitnorway.com/uk).

Page 2: And the forecast is... ()

And the forecast is...

BRITAIN’S skiers and snowboarders are inveterate gamblers. Each year they spend their hard-earned cash in the hope that there will be snow on the slopes for the week they have booked.

So what are the long- range weather forecasters predicting this winter? The UK Met Office forecasts a colder-than-average winter for much of Europe. “The past eight winters have been relatively mild. The balance of probability is for a winter colder than those since 1995-96,” it says.

Environment Canada says that many of the country’s ski areas will have below-average snow from December to February.

The US climate agency NOAA says that Colorado and Utah, popular destinations for British skiers and boarders, are likely to be warmer than average.

Given the speculative nature of long-range forecasts, basing your choice of ski resort on their predictions may be foolhardy. Alternatively, you can wait and pay higher prices for last-minute holidays to resorts where there is snow. Time for a gamble, perhaps.

Mark Frary

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