Snow is falling heavily in a number of resorts around the world at the moment and we look set for a great season both in Europe and in North America. If you’re a fan of the white stuff, you can’t go wrong booking your holiday early, but where should you go? If you’re not a fan, why not check out these alternative winter activities?
It’s always tricky deciding which ski resort to choose. Will there be snow? Are the instructors any good? Is it too hard? The list of questions goes on. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the 5 best places to ski this winter.
1. La Clusaz, France
Height: 1,100m
Ski area: 130km (Aravis region 220km)
Lifts: 50
Longest run: 4km
Closest airport: Geneva (1 hour)
Runs:
| Red | Blue | Black |
| 53 | 24 | 7 |
France, the go to nation for British skiers. Most of us head to the 3 Valleys or resorts such as Alpe d’Huez, Tignes, or Morzine but La Clusaz shouldn’t be overlooked.
Photo by: jerome berquez/Fotolia
Nestled in the Alps in the Haute-Savoie region, this medieval village offers a quieter break than some of its bigger rivals. The nightlife is restrained and there are some excellent restaurants in town. Should you want a break from the slopes, lakeside Annecy is just 40 minutes away.
There is a fantastic beginner’s area, Beauregard, and intermediates are well catered for and the Aravis pass allows you to visit the wonderful resort of Le Grand Bornand around the corner. Experts will find some challenging terrain and some excellent off-piste opportunities around Fernuy and Borderan.
Snowshoeing, sledging, and ice-skating are all on offer and you’ll also find an aqua-centre with both indoor and outdoor heated pools.
2. Mont Tremblant, Canada
Height: 265m
Ski area: 654 acres
Lifts: 14
Longest run: 6km
Closest airport: Montreal (1 hour 30mins)
Runs:
| Red | Blue | Black |
| 25 | 34 | 36 |
I know what you’re thinking, 265m? That’s not even a hill. Trust me, Tremblant has got some of the best skiing you’ll ever experience and you can spend a whole season there without getting bored. The excellent snow conditions and wide slopes mean there are usually mogul fields running alongside most runs and the cold temperatures ensure the powder stays. The average temperature in January is -13°C!
Photo by: ericlefrancais1/Fotolia
Beginners will find the Canadian technique really easy to pick up and there’s a great nursery area to hone their skills. Intermediates have a huge variety of runs to choose from and the only one to stay away from is the famous Dynamite on the Versant Nord. There are some great snow parks and experts are spoilt for choice with fast cruising runs or narrow, technical trails.
Away from the slopes you can try your hand at ice climbing, ice fishing, ice skating, sleigh rides, spa treatments, zip lining, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, tobogganing, and tubing.
3. Wengen, Switzerland
Height: 1,274m
Ski area: 213km
Lifts: 44
Longest run: 15km
Closest airport: Zurich (2 hours), Geneva (2 hours 30mins)
Runs:
| Red | Blue | Black |
| 24 | 36 | 15 |
Located in an enviable position at the foot of the north face of the Eiger, Wengen (and nearby Mürren) is pretty much where skiing as a hobby started. The resort is pedestrianised so the only vehicles are delivery trucks and electric vans ferrying skiers to their hotels from the station (there’s a large multi-storey car park in the valley). To get up to Wengen involves a narrow gauge train journey up the side of the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Photo by: efesenko/Fotolia
If you’re here for the World Cup weekend, the men’s Downhill is one of the biggest races on the circuit and the party atmosphere is unbeatable. The infamous Lauberhorn run is the most physically demanding and fastest course in world skiing and is only bettered by Kitzbühel’s legendary and suicidal Streif on the Hahnenkamm run.
Beginners are well looked after and there are a couple of nursery areas which will you paralleling in no time. Intermediates and experts can head straight to the Männlichen or Kleine Scheidegg ski areas.
Non skiers will find snowshoeing, tobogganing, curling, and ice skating are all on offer.
If you fancy a day trip, head over to Mürren and up to the revolving restaurant, Piz Gloria, on the Schilthorn. From here you can follow in James Bond’s tracks and ski down the aptly named Inferno.
4. Sauze D’Oulx, Italy
Height: 1,503m
Ski area: 400km
Lifts: 72
Longest run: 6km
Closest airport: Turin (1 hour 30 mins)
Runs:
| Red | Blue | Black |
| 57 | 109 | 36 |
Park of the huge Milky Way ski area, Sauze D’Oulx offers great skiing at great prices. Investment from the 2006 Turin Olympics has seen the area develop and thrive over the last few years. Lifts however are still a problem although this is slowly improving. Allow plenty of time to get to lessons or to different areas as they are slow with a capital SSSSSSSLLLLLLOOOOOWWWW.
Photo by: Mark Gallagher
Once you’re on the snow though, everything else makes up for them. Runs are wide and there’re a good mix of difficulties. Beginners will find Clotes offers a nice easy learning area whilst the Sportinia plateau has plenty of space to build up confidence.
Intermediates and experts can head towards Sansicario or Sestriere and its Olympic runs but there’s still plenty to keep them occupied in Sauze’s immediate area.
Other activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, visits to the sauna, and trips to Turin.
5. Jackson Hole, USA
Height: 1,924m
Ski area: 2,500 acres
Lifts: 12
Longest run: 8km
Closest airport: Jackson Hole (30 mins)
Runs:
| Red | Blue | Black |
| 12 | 46 | 58 |
Jackson Hole’s reputation amongst skiers has soared in recent years although we Brits are still to jump on the bandwagon. The huge terrain, great conditions, and unique location has firmly put it on the map as one of the must ski resorts in the world. An authentic cowboy town with western saloons and raised boardwalks, Jackson Hole is a great place for a holiday at any time of the year but winter in the Teton Mountains is special.
Photo by: ejnelson314/Fotolia
It’s not brilliant for beginners but there’s still enough easy runs for them to feel safe. Jackson Hole really comes into its own however with intermediates and experts. Average snowfall is over 38ft so expect deep powder on top of the steep terrain.
Après ski is lively without being over the top and what you’d expect from a resort that attracts the best skiers and boarders around – they don’t want to be too hungover as that would get in the way of slope time!
Other activities on offer include sleigh rides, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, hot springs, and snow kite boarding.
Best of the rest
- Mammoth, USA
- St Anton, Austria
- Verbier, Switzerland
- Cervinia, Italy
- Lake Louise & Banff, Canada
If you’ve got any other suggestions, get in touch below and let us know. If you’re new to skiing, why not check out this handy beginner’s guide. Also, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter below and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest travel news and tips.
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