Andermatt is a cosy mountain village in the heart of the Alps and offers guaranteed snow plus a view of the giant Gemsstock - nearly 3,000m in height and a big favourite of red and black runners. There are perfect sunny slopes for families and plenty of good skiing for the complete novice through to the expert in search of great off-piste.

Andermatt is a health resort steeped in history and tradition set near the Furka, Oberalp and Gotthard passes, and offering good value for money. The Swiss army trains here during the winter, making the resort a busy place full of locals as well as visitors. However, Andermatt remains a true Swiss ski village in a cosy setting without the glitz of larger resorts.

The resort offers 7,900 beds, mainly in hotels, and retains an uncrowded feel due to its location off the main routes nearby. There is a good selection of bars and restaurants at the resort chiefly within the hotels themselves, keeping the bulk of the entertainment behind closed doors. There are some discos as well as special folklore evenings to while away the nights, but the resort isn't famous for its après-ski.

The slopes at the resort vary greatly, with some challenging runs and some very taxing off-piste areas perfect for the experts. Fifty-six kilometres of pistes add up to a total of 24 runs at the resort, and include 29 per cent suitable for the beginner, 42 per cent for intermediate and 29 per cent for the advanced skier.

There are 13 rather dated lifts servicing the area, with an uplift capacity for 4,100 skiers per hour. These reach a height of 2,963m and have a lowest point of 1,445m. This makes the total vertical descent 1,518m. Snowboarders get a snow park as well as a half-pipe. There is also great school at the resort accommodating skiers and boarders alike.

The resort of Andermatt offers a regional lift ticket which includes Sedrun and Disentis nearby, affording some spectacular roundtrip driving tours of the marvellous scenery in the immediate area. Trains from the resort will also take you to the grand resorts of Davos, St Moritz and Zermatt.

The Andermatt season runs from December to April and the resort's high altitude ensures good snow cover all season The nearest airport to Andermatt is 117kms away in Zürich. Catch a flight to the airport and then take the train direct to the station at the resort.