I started doing seasons in 2001 and have been hooked ever since. I`ve spent most of the time in the Domites in Italy mainly because it`s so dammned big it took me that long to do the whole thing properly. I finally crosssed the last area off my list in 2006 and decided to go somewhere id been on holiday to and loved,St Anton in Austria. I went their primarily for the off piste..unfortunately we were about to head into the hottest winter in memory,theirs not much you can say really other than my mogul skills came on significantly and if it`s wet enough, yes, you can ride grass. This year I`m going to Colorado,I`ve got my job confirmed and will be in Vail by December. Have spent many happy hours since then drooling over piste maps and planning my winter,if anybody from the area wants to get in touch with some info that would be great.

Check out the Dolomites in Italy,the biggest ski area in the world and pretty much unheard of. Take a car and visit the less popular resorts away from the Sella Ronda and you`ll be stunned at how quiet they are,not only that but Italians are both fair weather skiers and also  not really into their off piste so you`ll have it all to yourselves. ( It is supposed to be illegal in certain resorts but we only ever got hassled in Arraba)

   It`s cheap to fly into Venice Maco Polo and hire a car or their is a decent transfer company running to Selva Val Gardena(the best resort for access to the mountains in all directions)

  The only drawback would have to be the snow record which can be unreliable but if you wait till the last minute and book over the internet not only will you score a cheap deal but you`ll hopefully ensure a wicked holiday with tons of powder and nobody on it but you and your mates. Have fun,I did.