Travel advice: best apps for planning a skiing holiday If you want to check conditions at resorts before booking, download a snow report app such as Ski Report (onthesnow.com; iPhone, Android; free). You can select resorts and the app will notify you when any get a fresh snowfall. Ski Guide (Windows Phone; £1.99) uses Windows Phone's elegant tile functionality to pin weather updates to your homescreen. However, if you've already chosen your resort, you'll probably find it has an app of its own, with conditions and forecasts that are more up to date than any catch-all app. iPhone users, in particular, can download apps for everywhere from Utah to the Portes du Soleil, and even Cairngorm. Most include trail maps and resort webcams. But don't use any function that requires a data connection while you're abroad, unless you want a hefty roaming bill. If your resort doesn't have its own mapping app, iTrailMaps (iPhone; free) is a reasonable substitute, with downloadable maps for 750 resorts. Windows Phone's Ski Guide also includes piste maps. Once you're on the mountain, fire up a tracker app to record your day's exertions. These fun apps use GPS technology to record the distance you cover, your speed, total vertical and other data. GPS alone doesn't use 3G, so you won't incur roaming charges, but it does drain your battery. Ski Tracks (iPhone; 69p) is a great basic GPS tracker that also geotags any photos you take on the slopes. Runtastic Wintersports (iPhone; £3.99) captures more information, and is worth the extra if you take your exercise regime seriously. At the geekier end of the GPS recorders is AntiMap (theantimap.com; Android, iPhone; free). This app also captures your rotation, which proficient boarders can then synchronise with video footage of their tricks via a free desktop app. To brush up on your piste technique, the excellent Ski School (skischoolapp.com; iPhone/iPad) is loaded with video tutorials, and also allows you to compare video of yourself on a split screen with an experienced instructor, Darren Turner. It comes in three proficiency levels (basic, intermediate and advanced), and each costs £2.99. A Windows Phone version will be available before season's end. When it's time to break for lunch or plan après-ski, your phone can help too - if you're visiting a resort covered by Hg2's slick iPhone app (£11.99). It reviews bars, cafés, dining, clubs, shops and more in 41 world destinations, including resorts such as Chamonix and Val d'Isère, where relevant extras such as mountain restaurants and ski guides are also assessed. The 10 major European ski areas covered by Hg2 will also be available as individual apps from late February, costing £2.99 each. Richard and Sally James write Can you suggest a luxurious b & b near big beaches (Wales perhaps?) for an atmospheric wintry walking break? Sophie Butler replies Penbontbren (01239 810248; penbontbren.com) is a converted farmhouse in Glynarthen, two miles from National Trust beaches in west Wales, with five suites from £95 per night, including breakfast. Edith Cadman writes My husband uses a wheelchair but likes to travel. Is there a way of checking hotel access? Enable Holidays (0871 222 4939; enableholidays.com) grades hotels in a wide range of resorts, covering access and wheelchair manoeuvrability throughout the premises and surroundings. Jackie Dee writes Do you know of a villa company in Majorca specialising in good quality, characterful and affordable places? Mallorca Farmhouses (0118 947 3001; mallorca.co.uk) has a selection of around 100 properties on the island, both on the coast and on wooded hillsides. Kim Griffiths writes Is there a company that specialises in February ski trips for one-parent families? Try Small Families (0845 900 0895; smallfamilies.co.uk), which organises group holidays to the Levitunturi Hotel in Levi in Lapland. Accommodation is in family rooms at £1,078 (adult) and £919 (child) for seven nights with flights and half board. Kathryn Arnold writes I'd like to book my summer holiday now. But will my money be safe? Your money will be safe if you buy a package combining flights and accommodation, as they're required to be financially protected by the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing under EU law (see atol.org.uk).