Go at your pace, away from the speedsters
If you’re more interested in skiing well than skiing fast – but like the idea of top-class resorts – head for the 210km of groomed slopes at Les Aravis in the Haute Savoie region of France. The area encompasses the resorts of La Clusaz, Le GrandBornand, Manigod and Saint Jean de Sixt and attracts far more beginners and intermediates looking to improve their technique than devil-may-care speedsters.
Seven nights’ self-catering in a studio with two sharing at Mendi Alde apartments, only five minutes’ walk to La Clusaz village and moments from Les Bossonnets chondola (a mix of chairlift and gondola on the same cableway), costs from around €450pp from March 19 (peakretreats.co.uk).
Take a break from the slopes in Switzerland to experience Europe’s highest railway – which passes through the mighty Eiger mountain. At the Jungfraujoch terminal you can step out into a glacial world where walkways exist inside the ice and outdoor platforms give views as far as the Vosges, Black Forest and over the Aletsch glacier. Tickets from €47 at jungfrau.ch
Back on the skis, you can test your nerve on the fearsome Lauberhorn World Cup downhill run while exploring the 210km of slopes at the combined Swiss areas of Grindelwald and Wengen. They are all comfortable to get to, courtesy of the Eiger Express gondola which has 24 heated seats and wifi in each high-speed cable car. Seven nights’ half-board at the four-star Hotel Sunstar Grindelwald, departing March 19, costs €1,965pp including flights from the UK (inghams.co.uk).
There’s also drama in California on Mammoth Mountain – the highest in the ski area, and formed by major volcanic eruptions. When sulphurous aromas waft from the roped-off vents, skiers realise this lava dome is still live. However, the last significant eruption, in what offers some of America’s best groomed slopes above 11,000ft, was 57,000 years ago.
Seven nights’ self-catering in a onebedroom condominium at ski-in/out Juniper Springs Resort from March 12 costs €2,320pp, based on two sharing. Price includes flights from the UK and hire car (ski-i.com).