SKIING holidays, greatly in vogue during the boom, have declined in popularity. With the economy still dangerously off-piste, snow reports for Alpine resorts seem to have vanished from weather bulletins; for many, the once de-rigueur winter break has become an unaffordable luxury .

Christie's in London is holding its annual Ski Salenext Wednesday and is offering a selection of 166 enthralling vintage travel posters evoking the glamour and thrills of the slopes.

The images were created by designers and artists commissioned by advertisers to lure holiday-makers to exclusive resorts such as Gstaad in Switzerland and Chamonix in France.

The posters are much sought-after by collectors and estimates range from £600 up to £14,000. Bid online (via christies.com) if you can't get to the South Kensington saleroom; the posters are now on public display. – MP