IT IS the time of year when all thoughts turn to winter holidays.

Escape takes a look at some websites devoted to skiing holidays.

Our first port of call was www.leisuredirection.com which boasts a truly comprehensive selection of skiing holidays to France. Travel can be arranged by air, by ferry or by eurostar and accommodation can be arranged in self-catering chalets, affordable B and B or in the most luxurious hotels. The website also promises to beat the price if you find the same holiday on offer at a cheaper price elsewhere.

ifyouski.com carries lots of related news reports such as the opening of new ski schools or the swapping of airport destinations by bargain flight operators but also tips on technique, ski camps and race information. This is all on top of the holidays on offer.

www.igluski.com has lots of discounted deals already available for this year's season.

For example when we visited a January trip to Meribel in France was on offer for £399 instead of £481. A useful section devoted purely to family holidays was also on offer.

www.1ski.com offers a wide choice of skiing holidays and has a comprehensive and very easy to use late availability and discounted deals section.

Other good sites worth a visit are www.ski-holidays.com and www.skiclub.co.uk (although it is worth bearing in mind some sections of this site are accessible only to club members).

All the main ski holiday providers such as Crystal, Neilson and Thomson have dedicated ski holiday pages sites.