early skiing-where to go!?

Having only been to St Anton of those Dave listed, I'd say go there as its fab.

Val Thorens do a special cheap deal if you go before the 18th December - 155 euros per person for a 4 person self-catering studio flat. This includes 7 days accommodation and 6 days local lift pass but not flights or transfers.

The VT tourist board website is www.valthorens.com and their phone number is +33(0)4 79 00 01 06. They speak very good English and I found them very helpful and the flat we got was fine - typically squashy but okay, very good value, and well located.

Edit
I forgot to ask - how many people are going?

Ally

I`d also recommend Val Thorens, and as above, the website is excellent for looking at all the accommodation and the booking office are really efficient and helpful.Plus it`s nice and high so hopefully there should be little in the way of grass!!!

I don't know if you could use airmiles to get to bulgaria but if it snows over there the best value for money this side of the pond has got to be pamporovo. You get a great place to stay with great food on the hill at really good prices ski hire etc is rock bottom price too. Just a question of the snow.

Morzine is fab and varied so your expert mates can do some skiing as well so is Samoens.