Hit the slopes with HELLO!'s snow special

Nestled in the French Alps and sharing a vast 300km ski area with neighbouring Tignes, Val d'Isère is known for its impeccable runs, idyllic town centre and luxury vibe.

No wonder it’s the chosen place of winter escape for the likes of Margot Robbie, Hugh Grant and Ed Sheeran.

As for where to stay, there's really only one choice – Chalet Machapuchare, voted France's Best Ski Chalet two years in a row. Operated by luxury chalet company Purple Ski, the chalet is kitted out with quite possibly everything you could dream of, including an on-site chef, a team of staff to cater to every need, a private driver, and – my favourite touch – an unlimited supply of Veuve Clicquot champagne.

Every inch of the chalet, which was designed and built by Val local and ski instructor Yoann Marchand and his wife Charlotte, evokes utter luxury while still feeling homely.

From the moment you first set a ski-boot-weary foot inside, it becomes clear just how much time, effort and thought has gone into every aspect. Natural materials such as wood, stone, wool, metal and leather warm the interior while charming vintage ice skates and skis nod to the alpine town’s rich history.

I was lucky enough to reside in one of the en-suite bedrooms for the weekend.

The chalet sleeps up to 15 in seven of these, plus an additional bunk room, with mountain views and access to all areas of the three-storey complex, including a hot tub under snowcapped trees, indoor lap pool with waterfall, cinema room, massage room, open-plan living room and well-equipped gym.

I was treated like royalty, with no request impossible for the Purple Ski staff. The pistes, shops and nightlife are just a three-minute chauffeured drive away from the chalet.

After a morning skiing, my chauffeur met me and my out-of-practice ski legs at the bottom of the mountain and transferred me back to my new home away from home in the exclusive and wonderfully private area of Le Crêt.

After taking off my kit in the boot room – which comes with heated boot racks, mini bar and TV – I was welcomed back with a glass of champagne and an on-site massage.

The evening proceeded with drinks and charcuterie in the main living room, followed by a five-course meal with accompanying wine pairings prepared by the chalet’s accomplished in-house chef, Hugo.

Whether you want a ski holiday like no other or are simply after a touch of solace in possibly one of the dreamiest places on Earth, Chalet Machapuchare is like no other.

To book, visitpurpleski.com.

For Brits, the Rockies are an expensive long-haul destination, but they're well worth the effort and expense for advanced skiers who want to push themselves into new terrain.

Across this vast, snowy expanse, all slopes within a resort's boundaries are protected against avalanches, on-piste and off.

So if Mother Nature lays on fresh snow, a delirious, ski-everywhere experience awaits, without the need for a guide or safety gear.

Deepen your sense of adventure by knitting several resorts into a road trip – across two countries.

Take in Big Sky, Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole in the US, for example, or Lake Louise, Kicking Horse and Fernie in Canada. Driving through the huge spaces between them is all part of the thrill.

Meanwhile, if you prefer easy pistes to knee-deep powder, and a scattering of celebrity stardust over the slopes, hit Aspen, though you'll need your own private money mountain.

At Christmas and New Year, prices go through the roof – just as A-listers such as Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey are checking in.

The snowy climate is the big draw in Japan.

When frigid Siberian winds blow in off the Sea of Japan, they create a conveyor belt of the lightest, fluffiest snowflakes – by volume, they're as much as 95 per cent air.

The island of Hokkaido in the north of the country is the most reliable place to find them, and thoroughly westernised Niseko is the most convenient and comfortable base.

America and Japan are big-budget destinations, so it's good to know that our own local Alps are magnificent and much cheaper to reach – perfect for a weekend get-away.

They're home to the best-developed ski areas and widest range of resorts across several countries – and you'll find no clearer example of this scale and variety than in the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys on the French side of this awe-inspiring range.

The Tarentaise is home to the most famous resorts, including ego-boosting Courchevel and vertiginous Val d'Isère.

The Maurienne, next door, is the opposite. Hardly anyone knows it's there, yet it's peppered with quiet and inexpensive ski areas, of which Bonneval-sur-Arc, a member of The Most Beautiful Villages of France, is the most charming, and Val Cenis the most fun, with its boarder-cross course, snowpark and turbo-sledging run.

Both are worth remembering the next time you plan a trip, because there's one other key ingredient to a successful ski holiday: the people you ski with. This close to home, all your favourites can afford to come, too.

Given Verbier in Switzerland is famed for its secluded, exclusive nature, do as the stars do and opt for a luxury private chalet stay.

At Chalet Pierrepointe, part of the luxury Ski Armadillo portfolio, guests can opt for a fully hosted experience, with a private chef, dedicated host and an in-resort concierge all on hand.

Accessed by private Ski Armadillo shuttle bus from the Medran cable car station, this opulent chalet can accommodate up to ten guests across five rooms.

Fitted out beautifully, its plush sofas and large open living room (above) are a welcome spot for recharging.

And don't miss the all-important sauna and hot tub – sheer bliss after a long day tackling some of the 400km of piste in the Four Valleys, one of Europe's biggest ski areas.

Evenings are made for indulging in a delicious four-course meal whipped up by your own chef, together with carefully curated wines.

To book, visit skiarmadillo.com.

Verbier is considered one of the best resorts in the world, regularly in the spotlight thanks to celebrities who love to hit its slopes.

Beloved for its rich history, extensive skiing area and cosmopolitan bars, restaurants and shops, this skiing hotspot is also pioneering changes to help preserve the popular sport in the face of climate change.