North America has all that the devoted skier could wish for, with services for beginners and advanced skiers alike. The USA alone has more than 500 ski resorts, rivalling Austria in number, and even hot and sunny Hawaii has a piste.

The major difference between North American and European resorts is the naturally high levels of snowfall in America that make snow cover ample and seasons long – something European resorts are increasingly jealous of. Anyone who has been forced to ski on ice in the Alps will appreciate the crisp powder that is the staple of the North American skiing experience.

Queues are non-existent, accommodation is of a high quality, and food on and off the piste is cheap and plentiful.

The disadvantages are that ski lifts tend to close early when compared to Europe - sometimes they have shut down for the day by 3pm - and transport between resorts is often poor or unavailable. Lift passes can be very expensive.

Here are UK Net Guide’s recommendations for the best skiing in North America.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

A couple of hours outside Vancouver on Canada’s west coast, Whistler is frequently voted the best resort in North America. Its terrain offers more skiing variety than probably any resort, and it enjoys high levels of snowfall.

The resort attracts high numbers of foreign visitors from Europe and Japan.

Fast and efficient lifts whisk skiers up to the runs, and the après ski is plentiful and varied. Find out more at http://www.whistler-blackcomb.com.

Winter Park Resort, Colorado, USA

A great place for beginners, the ski school at Winter Park Resort has a deserved reputation for its informative teaching. The heavy snowfalls each season – more than nine metres in total - mean you’re unlikely to encounter tricky icy patches.

The resort is a mere 90-minute drive from Denver, Colorado’s state capital, or two hours on the ski train. Read further at http://www.skiwinterpark.com.

Vail, Colorado, USA

Vail is a favourite of Hollywood celebrities, attracting the rich and famous simply because it has great skiing facilities. The resort’s Back Bowl and newer Blue Sky Basin have many runs for the experienced skier.

Unlike many North American resorts, Vail is picturesque and charming. Founder Pete Seibert aimed to recreate a Tyrolean village here in the 1950s, and the resort today still has an Austrian atmosphere – but with much better snow. The official site is http://www.vail.com.

Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada

Canada’s east coast resort of Mont Tremblant is much closer to Europe than the country’s west coast ski resorts, meaning it presents fewer problems with jetlag. It is set in the picturesque Laurentian mountains, an easy drive from Montreal.

Beginners will enjoy the many gentle runs, and all skiers will appreciate the opportunity to ski off-piste through the trees near the resort. Cars are banned from the village. Find out more at http://www.tremblant.com.

Breckenridge, Colorado, USA

This Victorian-era mining village is full of period buildings, and oozes character and charm often missing from North America’s modern and functional resorts.

The skiing is a mixture of open bowls at the top of Breckenridge's four peaks and gentle wooded slopes further down, which are perfect for beginners.

The nightlife is impressive for an American resort, and there are more than 100 restaurants. The official site is http://www.breckenridge.com.