Archive for the 'Ski' Category
Ski Holidays in the USA
Author: samuel
If you’re a European ski holiday addict, why not try something a little different? The USA is studded with hundreds of superb ski resorts on both the east and west coasts, from Vermont to New Mexico, and you’ll be guaranteed the very highest standards of service and hospitality while you’re there. But of course, the snow will be the chief attraction, and with the splendidly groomed pistes the USA has to offer, you’ll enjoy the best that nature can provide with the best that resort owners can deliver. The snow is known throughout the world as ‘champagne’ powder and it’s as exquisite to look at as it is to ski on.
In the USA, resorts tend to be a little smaller than those in Europe, but the accommodation is usually noticeably more spacious and luxurious, with double beds and large rooms. Even middle bracket lodges tend to have hot-tubs, outdoor pools and saunas. Less expensive than catered chalets are ski ‘condos’ – little self-catering apartments or ‘condominiums’.
If you really want to pack in some extra skiing miles, try resorts in the Rockies, which are usually grouped so you get to try out neighbouring areas too (although be prepared for some extra travelling in the morning if you want to do this). Resorts which are a tad closer to European travellers (like those in Maine and Vermont) are aimed at the ski-weekender from the big cities more than the longer-stay visitor and they do tend to be little on the small side as a result. Wherever you opt to ski in the US, you’ll end up with a superb holiday you’ll be reminiscing about long after you’ve arrived back home.
read comments (0)Courmayeur and the exquisite cuisine on the slopes
Author: samuel
The classically beautiful Italian ski town of Courmayeur is filled with beautiful people, mainly Italians of course but with a very good cross section of Europeans and visitors from North America too. Directly beneath Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, with 100 kilometres of pisted runs, it also provides great off-piste adventures.
Courmayeur is rightly famed for its cuisine and a little mountainside gem called Chiecco is a fine example and never does it disappoint. Amongst a mouth watering menu you will find wild boar with polenta, escalope of foie gras and lamb chops with an exquisite mustard sauce. Like most quality things in life it is not cheap and you should expect to pay around the €30 to €40 mark for a main dish with a salad accompaniment with a glass of wine, naturally! But it is delicious and because of its popularity it is best to book ahead. This is particularly important at the weekends when the “lunch club” of Milan or Turin descend. If you have come for the cuisine then you will have many of Italy’s finest restaurants from which to choose, but for the serious skier who has come for a skiing holiday, with some fine food thrown, in then you will have plenty of challenging runs to whet your skiing appetite!
When you have finished your day skiing or dining then you should stroll along the pedestrianised and partly cobbled Via Roma to the bar Roma where if you are lucky you’ll find space on one of The Bar Roma’s sofas and there will still be plenty of the buffet fare for which, along with its cocktails, it is famed!
Courmayeur ticks a lot of boxes for a great ski holiday week or even a long weekend, It is close to a magnificent spa and is relatively easy to get to through Geneva airport and, once there, there’s no problem getting on to the slopes.
Saalbach for fun and Skiing
Author: samuel
Saalbach enjoys a fantastic array of mountain restaurants: big ones booming with bonhomie and loud music; wee little log cabins with traditional costume; schnapps specialists; and some that simply serve terrific food. Skiers and non skiers alike will discover one of the most attractive villages in Austria with its classic charm, onion-domed church and photogenic streets festooned with fairy lights. Hinterglemm is smaller but both are well-equipped, traffic-free villages with great charm and fantastic après ski and nightlife.
For the serious skier, Saalbach is literally a “Ski-Circus” you can ski around the whole valley and over 200km of marked runs without walking or taking a bus! For beginners, ski holidays in Saalbach provide plenty of long blues on the whole circuit and good nursery slopes in Hinterglemm.
Intermediates have a massive choice of sunny cruising, ski tours and glorious, long runs through trees. There’s a perfect snaking blue slope with excellent snow at the mid station of the Schattberg gondola.
Advanced skiers, like everyone else, have plenty of ski runs at Saalbach ski resort. Good skiers with thighs of steel can probably do the whole circuit in a day, but even for the really keen skier’s, it’s a challenge!
There’s definitely something for everybody, a wonderful area with lots to do and good non-ski facilities. Loads of bars and pubs cover the full spectrum from oompah band tradition.
Skiing in Germany
Author: samuel
Germany is not as popular as Switzerland or Austria for a skiing holiday but boasts a number of suitable resorts for both the beginner and the more experienced skier.
The village of Oberammergau attracts many visitors each year, both tourists and skiers. During the summer visitors come to shop in the Christmas stores, but the visitors that come in winter can partake in winter sports. It is one of the smaller resorts but offers similar facilities to the larger resorts found further south. The main ski area has slopes which are suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers. The accommodation in the village is fairly basic, as none of it rates more than three stars but it is comfortable and helps to make a skiing holiday affordable for many people.
An alternative resort is Mittenwald which is close to the Austrian border and the Austrian resort of Seefeld. Mittenwald has a number of challenging slopes which are suited for the more experienced skier and the range of accommodation there is suitable for all tastes and budgets. The resort boasts all the facilities that you would expect from a thriving ski resort.
Finding reasonably priced ski deals for Germany is relatively easy if you are prepared to shop around. With the rise of budget airlines operating in the area, flights are becoming cheaper and the cost of accommodation is much more affordable than some of the rival resorts in Austria and Switzerland. Many will prefer it to skiing in France or another European country.
What to look for in a skiing holiday
Author: samuel
Skiing holidays are as popular as ever these days and unlike years ago they are no longer just for the elite. There are now many more economically priced ski deals that allow everybody to try their hand at learning to ski. The increase in low cost airlines helps to make resorts all over the world accessible to people of all ages, capabilities and budgets.
Many of the travel agents organise package holidays for both ski enthusiasts and novices who may be glad of the support of an organised trip. There are also specialised firms who can often offer excellent ski deals. It is possible to arrange your own trip, which will give you the chance to go where you want as well as somewhere that is within your budget. Whether for a weekend or a two week break, it is easily arranged. It is possible to ski all the year round as there are some resorts in Chile where it is possible to ski in the summer.
Of course the facilities at resorts will vary depending on whether you choose skiing in France or Switzerland in one of the well known resorts or whether you try your luck in one of the newer destinations such as Bulgaria. Alternatively there are holidays available in Canada and the United States or even Australia and New Zealand for anyone who wants to spread their wings and travel even farther afield. The one thing for sure is that there is a skiing holiday available to suit all pockets as well as skiers of all capabilities.
Skiing in Italy
Author: samuel
Italy may not be your first choice if you are planning a skiing holiday as it is traditionally seen as a destination for those wanting a beach holiday, but many forget that the northern part of the country is home to part of the Alps mountain range, which means that there are a number of ski resorts available to enthusiasts.
In fact, for many years Italy was seen as ideal for those wanting a cut-price ski deal, since the majority of skiers were choosing skiing in France and Switzerland over Italy, so prices were lower to attract visitors. This does not mean that the facilities available are lacking in any way. In recent years there has been much development of the ski holiday facilities and they are widely considered to be on a par with those offered by neighbouring countries.
When skiing in Italy you will find that they consider it to be a relaxing pastime, with as much emphasis on the nightlife and dining as there is on the time spent on the slopes. The ski facilities are equivalent to those in other resorts and it is possible to take lessons in most of them. Some of the Italian skiing locations are for beginners and intermediates, so if this is your first skiing holiday then Italy is good choice. There are some low priced deals available on the internet if you are prepared to shop around, especially if you choose not to holiday at peak times.
New Zealand – a great holiday destination!
Author: samuel
New Zealand is a beautiful country and it is a great destination for ski holidays; the geography of New Zealand makes it ideal for winter sports.
Tectonic forces working in the South Island have created the Southern Alps, which are a range of mountains that stretch for 550 kilometres, being 3,700 metres tall in some places. In the North Island skiing opportunities are provided by three large volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park, the tallest of which is Ruapehu, rising to almost 2,800 metres above sea level.
The majority of New Zealand’s ski areas open in mid-June and the season runs until October. Each ski field has something unique to offer, but all of them have good facilities that are kept up-to-date and offer slopes that are suitable for a range of abilities, everything from easy, gentle slopes for beginners to black diamond runs for the more advanced skier. There are areas dedicated to those who are just learning to ski, whilst for those who want something a bit more adventurous heli-skiing will take them to slopes and glaciers that are remote and beyond the reach of road transport.
New Zealand is renowned worldwide for its range of outdoor activities so there is always plenty to do if you want to take a break from skiing. Jet boat rides and bungee jumping are just two activities that are available. New Zealand is also home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
New Zealand has several top ski resorts where the après ski scene is lively, with plenty of bars and clubs where the partying can go on into the small hours. Queenstown boasts several ski areas, a beautiful lake, and is a cosmopolitan town. Wanaka is a lakeside town that has four world class ski and snowboard resorts. The Cardona Alpine Resort is a great choice for families whilst the Treble Cone offers exhilarating runs and breathtaking views. Christchurch, Canterbury, Methven and Mount Ruapehu are other good options for ski holidays in New Zealand.
Counting down the last hours of single life is the perfect time to go out and do something exciting if not different. Regardless of any actual skiing involved, ski holidays aimed at the stag and hen market provide plenty of varied activities.
There are many different stag and hen ski holidays and they offer affordable packages at resorts and locations throughout Europe that can be all inclusive or self catering. Below are some popular areas for skiing and partying where stag and hen outings can be arranged.
United Kingdom – Ski the Scottish Highlands in the Cairngorms, or Glencoe, or Aviemore. Indoor skiing options include the Midlothian Snowsports Centre outside Edinburgh in Scotland. There is also SnowDome in Staffordshire and Xscape has real snow slopes at their locations in Glasgow (Braehead), Yorkshire (Castleford) and Milton Keynes.
France – Have a ski holiday weekend at Alpes d’Huez and enjoy the beauty, spa, and massage services suitable for both stags and hens once the skiing is done. Alpine, multi-activity weekends can be found in the Aravis Mountains, or there is Club Le Bristol accommodation at the Isola 2000 Resort in the Alpes-Maritimes located 90km from Nice.
Slovenia – Holiday packages for a stag weekend in Maribor at the Mariborsko Pohorje ski area can include lodgings at a three-star or four-star hotel or apartment, casino, and other activities.
If planning to take one final lost weekend as a single person, stags and hens should take care not to injure any vital equipment that will be required after the nuptials.
Ski Holidays to remember – France
Author: samuel
Some of the best skiing in the world is to be found in France and there are over 200 ski resorts which can be visited. Of course some areas are more popular than others which are the top of people’s wish list. This could be because of the night life, whilst others are good for beginners.
The best package deals for a ski holiday usually include cheap ski holidays to France as well as luxury chalet holidays and family ski vacations. The price quoted usually includes flight and ski accommodation in resort, though many can be booked with alternative travel to France. You will be given facts concerning snow reports and forecasts, although this may be restricted to the major resorts. Naturally you will be able to hire ski equipment and take comprehensive ski holiday insurance for yourself and your family. Skiing holidays in France is something that should not be missed.
Ooh La La! – Luxury Ski Chalets in France
Author: samuel
Lounging in the lap of luxury in a French chalet surrounded by snow and skiing probably represents the epitome of the term ski holiday. Having a staff catering to every need, haute cuisine prepared by private chefs, and ease of access to the pistes makes for the ultimate chalet experience.
Meribel of Les Trois Vallées ski region, the largest ski area in the world, also has some of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Chalet Valentine is catered comfort for up to eight people to share. The chalet has been profiled in magazines for its glamour. It is located less than five minutes from the Middle Lift Station. Another example is the ultra private Chalet Foinsbois in Meribel Village. Chalet Foinsbois, also within walking distance to the lifts, comes with a live-out staff to pamper up to fifteen lodgers, champagne on demand, and features is its own cinema room.
Chalet Saphir in Chamonix is close to the airport in Geneva. With its indoor climbing wall and a Jacuzzi for the adults, and a games room complete with PlayStation for the kids, it is just a sample of what comes with the architectural beauty of the chalet. Despite its ultra private location in the Chamonix Valley, the private chauffeur can take lodgers to the slopes less than five minutes away, and the private chef can have a multi-course dinner waiting after a full day of skiing.
Val d’Isere in the Savoy Alps with easy access to the Espace Killy ski area has the Chalet Montana. An indoor swimming pool, chauffeured 4×4s, and extensive wine cellar are some of the amenities on offer. Chalet Montana is only a few hundred metres from the lifts on the Face de Bellevarde piste and less than a five minute drive to the village centre.
France is brimming with luxury chalets, and while the above only offers a short selection, there is still a demand for luxury lodging which the French ski resorts can easily fulfil.