Sitting at the heart of the Three Valleys, Méribel is a gateway to an entire mountain world. As the world's largest linked ski area, the Three Valleys puts more than 600 kilometres of pistes within reach of your front door, with Courchevel to one side, Val Thorens to the other, and a whole week of days that never need to repeat. Where you stay shapes the character of the whole trip, and Méribel offers a wide range, from quiet hamlets to the foot of the pistes. We looked at three places from specialist operator Ski France that show just how different a Méribel holiday can be: a family-sized chalet in Méribel Village, a luxurious retreat among orchards at Le Villard, and a ski-in, ski-out hotel with its own spa in Mottaret.Photo credit: Getty Images.

For travellers searching for a winter short break in the UK, Aviemore offers one of the most balanced options in Scotland. Located within the Cairngorms National Park, Aviemore combines winter scenery, outdoor access and dependable infrastructure, making it particularly well suited to short stays during the colder months. Cover Photo Credit: Derek McDougall, gettyimages.