Skiing holidays Irish style

IT IS a little known fact that the Irish invented snow. It is even less well known that these same inventors also devised an ingenious process to drop great quantities of this substance on the slopes of some of the tallest mountains in Europe and America, thereby creating the first snow covered ski slopes in the world. Just think, without the genius of a small band of Irish inventors, people would still be skiing on rocks!

Bringing pleasure to the world is something the Irish do best.

When it comes to outfitting yourself for that perfect skiing break, Great Outdoors is the one stop ski shop. Located on Chatham Street, just off the top of Grafton Street, Great Outdoors caters for the absolute beginner right up to the top end. For those just trying their hand at skiing, Great Outdoors even offers a hire service for ski clothing. The 'snow board look' is now the new fashion statement for both skiers and boarders. Shiny and fitted is out. Loose and comfortable is in. A complete suit is available from as low as £79, right up to £450 for the top of the range Gor-Tex suit. When it comes to getting the absolutely perfect pair of ski boots, Great Outdoors offers an expert fitting service.

Nouvelles Frontieres is one of top tour operators in Ireland, and offer dozens of ski packages in the French Alps. As a French company, nobody knows the best ski resorts to go to in the Alps than Nouvelles Frontieres. Self-catering packages are very popular for Irish skiers and Tignes and Avoriaz are two of the most popular destinations. They are both at a high enough altitude that snow is virtually guaranteed during the ski season. Nouvelles Frontieres has also linked with a select group of three star hotels that provide children's clubs that keep the young ones occupied while the adults explore the slopes. Packages start at £298 a week per person for six people sharing for self-catering in Lignes, including flight to Lyon and transfers. For breaks in Avoriaz, prices start at £423 a week per person for four people sharing in self-catering accommodation. The price includes a six-day lift pass.

Topflight is the leading Irish owned ski tour operator and have been voted the best winter ski tour operator for the last seven years. This year they have even more to offer the winter sport enthusiast: snowboarding. Some say that snowboarding originated when a winter sports freak decided some years ago that it was time for something new and invented "snow surfing". Others say it was the Californian surfers in the late seventies looking for some excitement in the winter months and took their surfboards up to the mountains to surf the deep powder snow of the upper slopes. Of course some people say it was invented by the Irish as a pastime before apres-board! And naturally the French are also taking credit! Snowboarding is comparatively easy to pick up. Topflight provides the best snowboarding packages for both experienced boarders and newcomers to the sport.

Crystal Holidays has the largest selection of ski holidays on the Irish market. Whether it is France, Austria, Andorra, Canada, the US, Italy, Switzerland or Slovenia, Crystal has the perfect package for you. The ski market remains strong in Ireland this season and the week of the 30th of December is already fully booked, although there is still limited availability for Christmas week.

The biggest seller continues to be France, which offers not only the best skiing in Europe, but also excellent facilities for families. Crystal offers the popular Whiz Kids Clubs, which provide lunchtime supervision, entertainment and drop-off and pick up from ski schools, as well as full nanny service for infants. This give parents the rare opportunity to enjoy a guilt free day exploring the slopes.

Austria is again proving a very popular destination this season, with Irish skiers appreciating the excellent resorts and superb apres ski. Crystal still has a number of free child's places available for France, Austria and Italy, so book now before they disappear.

Travel Partners is featuring two top ski destinations this season. Madonna di Campiglio in northern Italy's Trentino region of Dolomites offers the best skiing in the Italian alps. Just a short drive away from the airport in Milan, the resort enjoys an open, sunny position in a north-south valley. The altitude is high enough to ensure there is snow cover throughout the ski season.

Not only is there great skiing, there are tons of activities for the family to enjoy in the evening. There is ice skating, dancing and restaurants offering the finest cuisine.

Another undiscovered ski resort that Travel Partners is promoting this season is Oulu, the 'Gateway to Lapland', in Finland. Oulu is the place to go to if you are into cross country skiing. Slalom skiing is also a speciality at this new resort.

For the family, there is the chance to enjoy a new culture and visit the very same reindeer farms that Santa uses to keep his own little herd. The famous Finnish sauna experience is not something to be missed. Travel Partners still has limited space in both resorts for the beginning of the season.