If you want to take some tuition in the UK, visit this site for a list of dry ski slope centres . Conditions vary depending on the time of year. If you go towards Easter, there may be less snow and it may not be in such great shape, but the sun is more likely to be shining. If you do go late in the season, it's best to choose a resort that is higher up in the mountains - 2000m is a good benchmark. Summer skiing is a more limited affair, generally confined to resorts that have glaciers.
Prices are generally more expensive.
Ski in the morning and take in other activities in the afternoon - tennis, watersports, and mountain walking or just lazing in the sun. JoJaffa has picked out some great reads for you, so check out the following. For each book you can just click through to get more information. If you can suggest any good books about skiing, let us know . 2000 is the bible of the sport.