Day 1:

Fly direct to San Francisco with Virgin Atlantic and pick up your 4x4 vehicle. The flight arrives early so you have plenty of time to check into your hotel in the city centre and start exploring the Union Square shopping. Spend the evening in Chinatown with its bustling restaurants and lively bars.

Day 2:

The next morning you’ll be up early, so head down to Fisherman’s Wharf after breakfast and take a Bay cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge and to Alcatraz Island. After lunch, enjoy the leisurely 3 - 4 hr drive up to Lake Tahoe and your first resort, either Heavenly or Squaw Valley.

Day 3 - 8:

Time to click into your skis or strap on your board and start to explore the 7 ski areas around the stunning lake. There is a real variety of terrain and vibe between the resorts, you could easily stay for a season! For example, skiing at Heavenly is a unique experience with the Nevada desert on one side and the stunning crystal blue lake on the other.

Day 9:

After skiing until 2 pm at Kirkwood, start the 3 hour drive south to Mammoth. This is an easy and impressive drive following the Sierra Nevada Mountains which look spectacular at sunset.

Day 10 - 13:

Mammoth is a gem of a resort, with a huge variety of skiing including big open bowls and steep glades. The Terrain Parks are also some of the best in the world, with beginner, intermediate and expert areas so that you can build your confidence in stages.

Day 14 - 15:

After a morning skiing, you begin what is a truly extraordinary experience – the drive to Las Vegas through Death Valley. It’s very strange being at 10,000ft on Mammoth mountain in the morning and then 200ft below sea level in the desert a few hours later. You have to stop for the sunset and watch the shifting light and shadows across the desert.

Finish off this amazing trip with 2 nights in the party capital of the world. Whether you gamble or not, everyone has to experience the extravagance and exuberance of Las Vegas at night. The next day you can take a drive to the Hoover Dam, do a bit of Factory Store Outlet Shopping or just lounge by the pool, sipping cocktails and people watching!!

Fly back to London from Las Vegas.