If you’re in Rijeka in January and February, you’re likely to see some snow in them there mountains, and there is some skiing terrain around. Many locals love Platak: it’s very close to Rijeka, and from the highest slope on a clear day you can see the Adriatic with the islands laid out in front of you. From the A3 Zagreb-Rijeka motorway, take the Čavle exit (Automotodrom i Sportski Aerodrom) and turn left - it's another 15 km. Web: www.platak.com. If facilities are more your bag than views, head for Bjelolasica, it’s where the Croatian Olympic ski team train and has the highest slopes in the country. In snowy weather the safest way is to head to Vrbovsko on the A3 (Karlovac direction), then follow signs for Ogulin, Jasenak and Vrelo. Check out www.bjelolasica.hr. Or, for a cosy village atmosphere, head for the little slope at Petehovac (ideal for kids, and only 3km from Delnice, www.tz-delnice.hr); Čelimbaša slope near Mrkopalj, Rudnik near Tršće and Begovo Razdolje. They’re all smaller places where you can have great fun.