You’ve skied or snow boarded all day. It’s time to meet your friends to discuss the day’s activities – it’s time for après ski (after ski)! 

Apres ski can be quietly sipping a warm aromatic vin chaud or gluwein (hot wine) in a mountain side bar with your skiing partner at the end of the day, or racing back to your bustling snowy ski resort, throwing off those uncomfortable ski boots and diving into the nearest bar, club or restaurant. Apres ski can be as mad as you want it or as relaxing…

When choosing a ski resort for your winter ski holiday, whilst the snow conditions and matching slopes in the area to skiing or boarding abilities are bound to be number one in the choice of resort consideration, après ski conditions should also be considered. Are you looking for lots of bars for all night partying or off piste sporting facilities such as ice skating and swimming?

On a family skiing holiday, a quieter resort yet with plenty of restaurants may be chosen, with a handy selection of shops, such as Valmorel in France or Geilo in Norway.

St Anton in Austria is a favourite après ski resort for many!  Crazy bars lining the final slopes leading into the resort and pedestrianised areas surrounded by trendy all night bars and clubs. Also in Austria, Saalbach boasts five wild nightclubs, pubs galore and a tea bar. Hit the Ice Bar in Mayrhofen or dance the night away in the Igloo styled nightclub. The pretty medieval styled mountain resort of Schladming is linked to the biggest skiing circuit in Austria, and the resort offers traffic free evenings where you can enjoy traditional beer, tea dancing and late night partying in beautiful surroundings. Apres ski in Schladming could lead you may take a hot air balloon ride, go bowling and play squash or tennis – although on the slopes you could also go sleigh riding or paraskiing.

Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps offers exceptional après ski and is ideal for snow boarders and beginner skiers. Not only are there loads of bars and cafes in Alpe d’Huez but a skating rink, snow shoe excursions, a cinema, tonnes of restaurants and swimming. The party resort of Les Deux Alpes is just a five minute helicopter ride away and is popular all year with the young party crowds. Finish a day’s skiing in one of the eight mountain restaurants then try your hand on the inflatable bob run, snow biking, ice climbing and ice driving or visit the mountain top ice grotto.

Whatever you are looking for out of après ski, in whichever country you chose to go skiing or snowboarding, do your homework before you book and make sure you find a ski resort which offers something for everyone in your holiday group!

Why not enjoy a New Year Break abroad and escape the British winter?  The world is your oyster, so where would you like to go?  Celebrate the New Year in style and book a holiday abroad! Choose from exotic beach holidays in the Caribbean, Africa or Asia, or a family ski holiday in the Alps or Canadian Rockies – choose a romantic European city break in Prague or Paris, or the popular beaches of the Spanish Canary Islands off the coast of Africa.

Welcome in 2010 with a New Year ski holiday, surrounded by breathtaking snow covered mountains in a quaint authentic village.  Austria is a beautiful setting, and if there is a group of you venturing out on your New Year expedition, why not book a wooden Alpine chalet? Today (10 November 2009), Igluski.com are offering a brand new 4 star chalet ski holiday with steam room and sauna in St Anton, departing Gatwick on 27 December for 7 nights from £1181.00 per person, or at the other end of the price scale, 7 nights at the self catering Rauris Apartments in Rauris from £388.00 per person based on four people sharing, departing Gatwick on Boxing Day.

Count down to the New Year on a mini cruise! DFDS Seaways are offering a two night mini cruise New Year break from Amsterdam to Newcastle. From just £254 per person, board the ship at Newcastle and enjoy an en suite cabin, coach transfers in and out of Amsterdam, breakfasts, Gala New Year buffet, free house drinks during the crossings, live entertainment, and champagne to greet in 2010.

Celebrate on a New Year break in beautiful Prague. Lastminute.com are offering the luxury five star Hotel Esplanade in the centre of the historic city from £937.56 for two people sharing a twin bedded comfort bedroom departing on 30 December from Gatwick for 3 nights. The price is an additional £40 if flying from East Midlands airport.

Set on the edge of a beautiful long sandy Moroccan beach, is the four star plus, contemporary Royal Atlas Hotel in Agadir.  Perfect for a relaxing New Year holiday, the hotel offers a range of spa treatments for your enjoyment. Flying from Gatwick on 28 December Thomson Holidays are offering an all inclusive package (meals and drinks) including priority coach transfers, flights and 7 nights accommodation for £1976.00 for two people.