Cyprus

You may not have heard of the Troodos Mountains, but enough snow falls on this normally-sun kissed Mediterranean island between December and March to make it possible to going skiing and snowboarding in Cyprus.

Troodos Resort is the only ski resort in Cyprus and, with just four slopes, the terrain's not extensive. That said, there's some variety.

The aptly named Family Run is perfect for beginners and normally packed with kids getting to grips with the basics. Other runs in the Sun Valley area are great for building up a bit of confidence.

The black Zeus run is where the serious riders head. Perched on the side of the 1,951 metre Mount Olympus, you'll need a good slug of Zivania just to attempt the T-bar. The run has some entertaining steep sections and enough slip and slide to put a silly grin on the faces of all but the very best riders. There's some reasonable off-piste here too.

There are no snow making facilities at Troodos Resort at present (something to do with the lack of water on the island) so the best time to go skiing or snowboarding in Cyprus for guaranteed natural coverage is February.

There are a couple of hotels on the mountain itself, but with a better range of accommodation and nightlife available in Limassol, you might prefer to base yourself in the city.

Cost

A day's lift pass will set you back around US$30.

Getting here

Larnaca is the major international airport in Cyprus, which is served by most European airports. There are also regular flights to Limassol.

Troodos Resort is an hour and a half's drive from Limassol.