Engelberg vs Murren

Both work well as short-break destinations, and serve up a really stupendous big-mountain experience. Which is better, however, depends on what you want from your trip.

Engelberg is better for freeriders: Murren has nothing to compare with the Laub, and its slopes tend to be more broken, cliff-bound, and forbidding. That's not to say there's no off-piste in Murren - it's just that Engelberg's is so good.

Both are far from ideal for beginners, bargain-basement skiers or anyone addicted to five-star luxury.

Both are good for on-piste skiers - but for two or three days, no more. Engelberg has more mileage (82km vs 53km), but Murren has the classic run - courtesy of the Inferno race course, from the top of the Schilthorn, all the way down to the village, with the mighty peak of the 4000m Jungfrau as the view.

Murren is better for romantics - because of the scenery. It's home to the most stunning views in the Alps, and the journey up the mountain by train is utterly charming, too. It's also car-free. Engelberg is a much more workaday little town.

Engelberg is better for party animals. No question on that one.

Engelberg is better if you're pressed for time. Getting up to Murren takes over three hours, which is a bit of a schlep for the sake of two nights. Driving to Engelberg takes an hour and a half.

Engelberg vs Chamonix

Chamonix is the classic destination for weekending Brits, but we think it's vastly overrated for on-piste skiers, who will be happier in Engelberg. It's also very, very British. Now of course, being British ourselves, we can't complain about that, but it seems to us that once you get too many of our fellow-countrymen into the same resort, the nightlife gets beery and dull. Worse still, bars start putting up TV screens so that we can watch football, rather than talk, or - heaven forbid - celebrate the fact we're in the mountains in winter.

As for off-pisters: well, that's a tough call. For more than a couple of days, it has to be Chamonix, because there's just so much more terrain out there than in Engelberg. For really short breaks though, we'd rather be in Engelberg, because there's less competition for the powder. Chamonix is stuffed to the gunwales with ski bums, and as soon as it snows, they all come out to play. The most famous slopes get skied out in a couple of hours.

Finally, for serious luxury, Chamonix is the better option. Low-budget skiers will find it easier on their wallets, too - thought they should consider Pila as an alternative if they're after on-piste skiing.

Engelberg vs Pila

Engelberg is better for off-pisters, Pila is better for those who like to ski on groomed snow. Pila is also a great low-budget destination, and if you catch it after a fresh dump (which, admittedly is rare), it can be a great freeride destination too.

Engelberg vs Courmayeur

Tough call. Courmayeur has more style, but less nightlife. Courmayeur has better mountain restaurants, but Engleberg has cooler bars. Courmayer offers more on-piste mileage (100km vs 82km), but Engelberg has more reliable snow. Both offer awesome off-piste. Engelberg has the Laub, but Courmayeur has the trump card - the Mont Blanc massif. Man, we can't make up our minds on this one. Try them both!

Engelberg vs Saas Fee

Engelberg has much better off-piste runs. For on-piste skiers, however, Saas Fee wins hands down, especially as a four-night destination. It's much the better place for romantics and beginners too.