EXPLORE SKI RESORTS
One snow-covered mountain is the same as the next, right? Wrong! Use our essential guide to the key winter resorts to discover which might be right for you
PERHAPS you’ve never skied before and you’re unsure where to head for novice-friendly nursery slopes and friendly tuition? Maybe you’re a seasoned skier but you’ve always headed to the same, familiar resort and you’re looking to try somewhere new this season? Are you seeking to sample snowboarding or heli-skiing, now you’re accomplished on the slopes? Or do you simply fancy broadening your horizons with a multi-activity winter break?
Whatever you’re dreaming of for your winter getaway, we’ve put together a skier’s travelogue, giving you the low-down on different destinations so you can choose the right holiday for you and your party this season. Whether you’re taking the kids for their first snowy break or you’re heading off with a group of friends, take a look at our guide to the key resorts and what they offer before you book your break.
FRANCE
OFFERING a wealth of established resorts, easily accessible to British holidaymakers, the French Alps boast vast ski areas to suit a variety of skill levels. For experienced skiers, there are high-altitude options and some of the best glaciers in the world. Resorts offer a wide range of accommodation options for all budgets, with a new generation of polished, mid-range hotels and contemporary, luxury apartments expanding the choice this season.
AUSTRIA
IMMERSE yourself in everyday Austrian life, staying alongside locals in towns and villages brimming with character amid spectacular scenery. Because the resorts aren’t solely tourist areas, dining out is great value, both on and off the mountain. A large network of linked ski areas offers endless permutations of runs, and there are superb ski and snowboard schools, both for beginners and those looking to hone their techniques. Throughout the winter, there are numerous traditional festivals to add an extra dimension to your holiday, such as the Hahnenkamm race weekend in Kitzbuhel.
ITALY
STATE-of-the-art snow machines across three large, linked ski areas ensure you always have plenty of the white stuff, while minimal lift queues mean more time to enjoy the slopes. Indulge your taste buds with reasonably priced, delicious regional fare served with typical warm hospitality – a sun-drenched lunch on the slopes is almost as important as the skiing in Italy.
USA
HOME to perfect powdery snow and popular with families and A-list celebrities alike, with legendary service mentality, America ensures you’ll always ‘have a nice day’. From Wild West-style towns to contemporary boutique hotels, there’s something for everyone, with plenty of après-ski activities, too. Why not try Heavenly, nestling above Lake Tahoe – the highest lake in the USA – on the California/Nevada state line?
SWEDEN
OFTEN overlooked by Britons in favour of the familiarity of the Alps, Sweden offers almost guaranteed snow from December to May, owing to its northerly location. Skiing is very much a part of life here, and while the mountains aren’t as high as the Alps, there’s a great spread of runs, from green to black, plus off-the-slope activities such as dog
After skiing in Italy, enjoy lunch on the sunny slopes
sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoe walking and ice diving – as well as those Scandi essentials, hot tubs and saunas. From self-catering apartments to luxury hotels, there’s plenty of accommodation choice, and expect a feast for the senses with high-quality, traditional Swedish cuisine, much of it locally sourced.