In years gone by, skiing was a complicated, expensive business, and the only way of going about it was to book a package holiday. Today, things are looking up. With Easyjet, Ryanair and Eurostar constantly adding more routes at cheaper and cheaper prices, it's never been easier to take a short weekend break in Europe. But where exactly should you go if you want to ski or snowboard? Booking the flight is easy, but the rest is a nightmare - which resort should you choose, where will you stay, will the hotel accept short bookings, and how will you get from the airport/station into the mountains?In White Weekends, Tom Robbins, deputy editor and skiing expert of the Observer, travels from one end of Europe to the other in a bid to discover the best and most beautiful resorts for independent weekend breaks. From powder, parties and budget to romantic, child-friendly and luxurious, there are chapters covering every type of weekend imaginable. Each chapter details Tom's experience in one magical destination and is backed up by 'The Knowledge' - practical information detailing how to get there, where to stay, where to ski, where to eat and where to party - and a 'Best of the Rest' section so you have a variety of resorts to choose from whatever sort of break you're after. Covering over 100 resorts in all, this fresh, funky and flawlessly illustrated book will be the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates the stunning beauty of the mountains and the perfect self-purchase for the millions of Britons addicted to the exhilaration of the slopes.