any advice welcome!!

I've been organising a holiday for a large group (15 - 20 people) for the last 4 years and therefore have been in the same situation as you regarding last minute deals!

As a rough guide (useful when comparing package deals) we have spent:

Flights = £90
Transfer = £60
Accommodation = £400
Ski/Board hire = £80
Lift pass = £ 200

Total of = £830

This has been either in Paradiski or 3VL and does not include any lessions but has always been in a catered chalet.

As a shout for France I would recommend both areas (PM me if you want specifics!) however the apres is more expensive than Austria (some would say the skiing is better ;)). You probably won't get to either area under 2 hours from Geveva but about 1.5 hours from Chambry.

Another bonus by doing it indepentantly is the oportunity to negotiate the price with the chalet company/owner. If you can find a chalet for 10 and therefore fill the chalet for the week owners will often accept a 5/10% discount as they know that week is covered for the next season already!

take a look at livigno-flights into milan and then an easy transfer over, it is tax free so boozing and apres is cheaper than franc eor even austria and it is a hge resort for snowboarders-the runs are very, very wide and there is a great neginers area-there are no runs that feed into the top of them so you can learn with the safety of not being whacked into!

thanks rossyhead that was just the type of info i was looking for to give me a good idea of where to start will prob pm you at some stage thanks a million nicky

got mixed up there guys, but thanks to both of uou Hudman and rossyhead i like the advice on apres ski my type of thinking!! thanks nick

If its apres you want, Austria is the place. France generally is so much duller and much more expensive too.

However, if the skiing holds as much importance for you, take a look at Serre Chevalier and Alpe d'Huez. Both high altitude and cheaper than many French resorts.
Pricewise, I usually pay between £500 and £600 for a chalet holiday which includes flights, transfers, full board and wine. Lift passes are roughly £200 most resorts these days.

I'm off to Mayrhofen soon which is great for nightlife, you might also want to consider Kitzbhuel for similar reasons.