Early season skiing in the Alps can sometimes be seen as a risky business, especially if you look at the way the last three seasons have started. But is a ski holiday at the start of the season really that much of a gamble?

Find out in our complete guide to early season snow conditions in the Alps...

Ever wondered why some areas of the French Alps get more snow than others? Or why some storms seem to benefit one region over another?

Snowfall patterns in the French Alps are heavily dependent on the direction from which the weather is coming, and the results are highly variable due to the sheer geographic extent and variety of topography involved.

Find out more in our complete guide to snowfall patterns in the French Alps...

Most readers will never have skied in Scotland before, perhaps put off by its reputation for wild weather and erratic snow conditions. But, while this reputation is largely justified, give it a try and you are unlikely to regret it, especially if you go in with realistic expectations and an open mind. 

Skiing in Scotland is certainly a unique experience and, with a bit of luck (or meticulous preparation), you may just have the time of your life.

To help you better understand what nature might try and throw at you, here is our complete guide to weather and snow conditions in Scotland... 

Even if most skiers take their holidays in "winter", lift-served skiing is available in the Alps 365 days a year.

For the most part, "summer skiing" means skiing on glaciers, some of which will open for just a few weeks in early summer, while others can open all the way through until the main winter season. 

Find out where is open and when in our complete guide to summer skiing in the Alps...