Travel Challenge: A pre-Christmas ski break in Europe

Every week, we invite three competing companies to give us their best deal for a specific holiday. Today: a seven-night European ski holiday, departing from Gatwick the week before Christmas. Prices are per person, based on two sharing, and include transfers.

Inghams

£399: Kaprun, Austria

Includes Monarch flights to Salzburg on 16 December and full-board accommodation in a double room at Chalet Mara.

"Kaprun offers year-round glacier skiing and is linked to the picturesque lakeside town of Zell am See" says Louise Newton of Inghams. "The Mara is a charming Austrian chalet, in a quiet location with lovely mountain views." (020-8780 4447; inghams.co.uk)

Ski Total

£569: Selva, Italy

Includes Monarch flights to Innsbruck on 16 December with full-board at Chalet Brigitte. Guests also qualify for half-price ski boot hire.

"Selva is a must-go destination in the Italian Dolomites for all serious skiers. It's part of the world's largest ski area, with 12 linked resorts, 450 lifts and 1,200km of slopes," says Moira Clarke of Ski Total (01252 618 333; skitotal.com).

Crystal Ski

£745: Wengen, Switzerland

Includes Thomson Airways flights to Geneva on 17 December and full-board accommodation at the Hotel Sunstar.

"At this time of year, the unspoilt resort of Wengen offers not just breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, but also snow-sure skiing up to 3,400 meters," says Michael Brabin of Crystal Ski. "After a day on the slopes, the Hotel Sunstar also offers a swimming pool and steam room to relax in" (0871 231 2256; crystalski.co.uk).