The sport of skiing consists of wearing $3,000 worth of clothes and equipment and driving 200 miles in the snow in order to stand around at a bar and get drunk. ~P.J. O'Rourke, Modern Manners. 1984

Clinging. I found myself clinging to the edge of the mountain hoping beyond hope that the whiteout in front of me would move. Winds were blowing. Snow was in my face. I couldn't see five feet in front of my ski goggles. I sat down.

Not easy to do with two long planks strapped to your feet. I was terrified this was how it was all going to end: on a mountain in Switzerland.

Thirty yea....I mean seconds later the whiteout had cleared. I would live to see another ski slope, but decided this day was done and I retreated to my rented studio in Zermatt.

No, this wasn't last week. I think the snow might only (and randomly) be falling in Scotland right now. And no, this is not a column for one of the ten trips for under $100 from London. That will resume next week. Last I left you I was in Sweden. Check out my website: www.robynswanderings.com for those columns.

So what am I doing this week? Why am I writing about a ski trip I'm not even on? Good questions. As I sat in Sweden feeling the temperature change and the winter jackets creep on, I realised it was time. It was time to start planning affordable (because let's be honest skiing is never cheap) winter travel i.e. ski vacations.

Last year I was lucky and was already in Europe when an avalanche of snow decided to descend on the Continent. Ok, maybe it was heavy snow. Anyway, it was easy and cheap enough for me to jump on a train from Florence, Italy, rent a studio for $500 a week (it was off-season) and enjoy the slopes. Unfortunately taking a ski trip from Bermuda, negotiating with work, schools, etc... will take a bit more planning, which is why it's important to start now.

But have no fear. We have Brenda Warwick here. A ski addict who has worked in Vail, Colorado, for four ski seasons and a CTravel agent, Brenda specialises in selling skiing worldwide, but particularly the resorts in Colorado she knows what she is talking about.

So Brenda, how can I find the best deal for skiing?

The least expensive ski deals are in the early season in high resorts of Colorado, Utah, California, from the end of November to December 15 or so. Each resort differs with their high season dates for the Christmas holidays.

Other dates for deals include mid-January to mid-February, before the US Presidents' Day holiday and then in the spring depending when Easter is each year, and the closing dates of resorts.

Colorado's best snow is usually early to mid-April, and there are also very low rates for hotels and lifts.

Europe is the same, but you have to make sure of the snow. January and April are best, but February is very busy with UK and European schools on holidays. The same applies for Easter.

Ok, those are the best deals, but when is the best time to go skiing? When is the best snow? And apparently there is a difference between Europe and North America.

The best time to ski Europe is in mid-January. It is less crowded and there is beautiful snow. Then again in mid to late-March, early April, but that depends on the snow. That should be fine for high resorts if you are going in the spring.

For North America ski resorts the best snow is mid-January, early February, March and definitely early April. Last year I skied on April 6 in four feet of beautiful new powder snow!

West Coast skiing, i.e. Whistler in Canada, can be very unpredictable, due to being so close to the Pacific, and the resort is not as high as Colorado etc.

East Coast skiing, i.e. Mt. Tremblant near Montreal, had wonderful snow this year right through Easter, but be careful in early December. Same with Smugglers' Notch in Vermont.

What about families though? You said school breaks are the most expensive? When should families plan to go skiing for the best deals?

Families usually book during the February school break, but this is high season and can be expensive. The better time would be at Easter break when the prices are lower. There are many ski deals during this time.

What about couples who want to avoid the kids?

For couples, I would suggest mid to the end of January through to mid-March for North America and also Europe, avoiding the busy school holidays.

Also the end of November through to mid-December, as usually the rates change about December 20, though this depends on each resort.

And for those skiing solo? Will I have to be by myself on the slopes?

For single skiers it is a wonderful way to meet new friends who love the feel of that mountain air, the beautiful scenery and the freedom of flying down the perfectly groomed slopes of North America or the challenge of the steep and deep in Europe.

For me, personally, I love the ambiance of Europe and definitely the apres-ski is more exciting in Europe after a wonderful day, skiing up to an ice bar for a gluewein with new friends; it's wonderful.

That might be easier depending on accommodation. What are my choices for ski holidays?

The choices are unlimited. There are hotels, condos, private homes, and even private chalets in Europe that are catered from budget right up to Sir Richard Branson's wonderful private chalet in Verbier, which you can rent by the week for up to 20 guests of course at a high price!

Want more information? Need some more help with your ski trip? No worries. You can turn to www.robynswanderings.com for more suggestions and turn back here next week for yet another way for a cheap European vacation. Hint: It's in Germany. Hint two: It's the capital!