WARM UP TO WINTER
Don’t hide away when the chill comes — try one of these thrilling adventures . . .
THERE is so much more to europe’s Alps in winter than swishing across slopes on skis. how about carving up a frozen lake in a 4x4, or hurtling through an icy wilderness with a pack of huskies? We pick ten seasonal holidays with a twist.
STEP INTO THE ICE AGE
THANKS to some impressive drilling in 2010, visitors can now promenade straight through the middle of Langjökull, Iceland’s second largest glacier, via a three-metre-wide illuminated tunnel. Dazzling milky-blue ice awaits, as far as the eye can see. GOOD FOR: Budding geologists, and families. Children under 11 go free. BOOK IT: One-day tours to the glacier cost about £212, leaving from reykjavik (intotheglacier.is). Discover The World has threenight breaks to the Icelandic capital from £364pp including flights (discover-the-world.co.uk).
LAP FROZEN LAKES
CENTRAL sweden’s winter temperatures plummet so low that the region’s lakes are transformed into giant frozen arenas, perfect for would-be 007s who fancy driving on ice. Get behind the wheel of a 4WD with a professional and learn how to lap at speed in sub-zero conditions. GOOD FOR: Certified petrolheads looking for new kicks. BOOK IT: A three-night break with classicgt.co.uk costs £1,350pp based on two sharing B&B accommodation. Included is two days’ driving, flights and transfers. Trips available on two dates in February.
BIRD’S EYE AUSTRIA
THE winter resort town of Filzmoos breaks out the hot-air balloons as soon as the calendar clicks into January, with skiers frequently raising their eyes to marvel at hundreds of giant orbs that cruise through the valleys. Book your own ride until the end of February from £245pp (apfelwirt.at). GOOD FOR: Couples with a head for heights. BOOK IT: ryanair fly to salzburg from £45 return (ryanair.co.uk). Five nights at the four-star hotel Unterhof costs £510 based on two sharing a room (unterhof.at).
SLEDDING IN LAPLAND
THE most exhilarating way to experience Lapland? Being whipped along at speed by husky dogs going full pelt — and it’s even more whiteknuckle if you’re steering.
hetta huskies in Finnish Lapland offers sledding lessons through the Taiga Forests.
A sky-illuminating appearance from the northern Lights is often par for the course. GOOD FOR: Animal lovers; you’ll get to feed, train, race and perhaps even hug (inset) these Arctic beauties. BOOK IT: A full-board two-day husky sledding tour with tuition costs £375pp, with accommodation at the husky farm, (hettahuskies.com). February flights to kittlia Airport cost from
£157 (monarch.co.uk).
SNOW-HIKES
TAKE one pair of snowshoes and a sage guide, then trek through some of the most thrilling scenery the Pyrenees has to offer. An escorted tour from the French town of Luchon tackles five hikes over seven days, most of which end beside a crackling log fire in a mountain hut. GOOD FOR: sociable walkers seeking a trek that marries tricky terrain with beautiful scenery BOOK IT: A seven-night ‘snow-shoeing’ tour with exodus costs £1,049 including treks, equipment, food, accommodation and flights (exodus.co.uk).
BUILD AN IGLOO
LeArn how to fashion your own snow-home out of ice bricks in Bavaria.
When you’ve built your abode, enjoy a torch-lit walk or a campfire before retreating for a night in your frozen dome. Thermals are a must. GOOD FOR: Friends looking for a new twist on a skiing holiday. BOOK IT: A one-night igloo stay for two people costs £225pp, including dinner, a forest tour and igloobuilding tuition (bayerwaldtravel.de). easyJet flights to Munich in January from £57 return (easyjet.co.uk).
NIGHT-TIME SAFARI
UNDER the star-studded skies of south-west scotland, a nocturnal wildlife tour is wowing those who have signed up.
Thanks to heat-seeking cameras, naturalists braving the midnight frost can spot badgers, roe deer, bats and more roaming through Galloway Forest Park. GOOD FOR: nature enthusiasts happy to stay up late BOOK IT: A three-hour night-time wildlife safari using thermal imaging technology costs £89pp (wildlifetours.co.uk).
Doubles at the nearby cosy Old station house B&B start from £70 a night (bedandbreakfast castledouglas.co.uk).
CLIMB CHAMONIX
THE Alps’ frozen sheets of water are not just spectacular to look at, they can be scaled, too.
In the shadow of Mont Blanc, ski champion Chamonix has waterfalls galore, with many perfect for climbers of all levels. strap on crampons and hack your way to a spectacular view. GOOD FOR: Adrenaline junkies wanting a high-energy winter fix. BOOK IT: A five-night guided climbing trip to Chamonix, including B&B accommodation, costs £1,645 (mountaintracks.co.uk). Flights to Geneva from £81 (swiss.com).
SNOW-GROOMING
HOW do they make perfect corduroy pistes? Join an overnight snow-grooming tour in the sierra nevada and find out, with a spectacular sun-rise thrown in for good measure.
While skiers are sleeping (or sinking schnapps), you can hitch a ride to 3,300 metres and watch dawn unfold over the region’s Veleta mountain. GOOD FOR: Photography fans seeking a spectacular dawn. BOOK IT: snow-grooming tours cost £46pp (sierranevada.es). rooms at the el Lodge in sierra nevada start from £251 a night (ellodge.com). Fly to Granada from £137 (iberia.com).
SOAK UP ANDORRA
ANDORRA’S sulphur-rich Caldea spa is the largest thermal pool in southern europe. set over 6,000m, guests can spend their entire break marinating in mineral-rich waters. even better, the cheapest tickets cost just £25 for a three-hour session. GOOD FOR: Those who want to wind down while mountain high. BOOK IT: rooms at the roc Blanc hotel close to Caldea cost from £112 a night (rocblanchotels.com). Flights to Toulouse from £17 (easyjet.com).