A S temperatures plunge across Europe, ski slopes in France and Italy are offering excellent value for late bookers.

Last-minute holidays in January have sold for up to 30 per cent off the brochure price and there are plenty of early February bargains too.

Andy Perrin, chief executive at Inghams, says: “Bookings over Christmas and the new year were unusual because they didn’t really get going until January 7. That delay triggered deals on specific weeks in January and February. We have seven-night stays at a new hotel in St Anton from £479, about half-price.”

Perrin says skiers shouldn’t be guided by price alone. “There are loads of £299 deals,”

he says, “but what’s the point if you ski all the interesting bits by the end of day one?”

The experts also urge holidaymakers to take the cautious approach by booking higher ski resorts, from 5,000ft to 6,000ft upwards.

The northern Alps, for instance, had great snow in early December but it has struggled with milder air on some days since.