There are some beautiful wintry regions in the world. They come to life when the snow hits and a dazzling white blanket covers the land. As skiing season approaches, we look at some of the well-known slopes in France and perhaps lesser-known resorts of Norway. All of which are well-equipped for your skiing needs. Hire a car at Chambery or Grenoble Airport in France for the French slopes. Alternatively, hire a car at Oslo Airport or Bergen Airport in Norway to make the most of a trip to the snowy peaks!
Photo by: Vladislav Gajic/Fotolia
The Three Valleys, France
This very popular area is known for its variety of slopes. It is also known for being the largest ski area in the world. The resort claims there’s 600km of slopes with 120km of cross-country routes available for skiing. 183 ski-lifts can transport around 260,000 skiers per hour. The area originally covered the three valleys of Saint-Bon, Allues, and Belleville but the area has been extended to include Maurienne.
Resorts:
Saint-Bon: Courchevel and la Tania.
Allues: Méribel, Brides-les-Bains.
Belleville: Val Thorens, les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Bellville.
Maurienne: Orelle.
Courchevel
You’ll find 150km of ski runs with 58 lifts at this resort. All forms of skiing and snowboarding are possible. This alone makes it one of the most popular ski resorts in the world. There’s a large aquamotion centre for swimming activities. Access ski jumps and toboggan runs too.
Opening dates: December 10th 2016-April 17th 2017.
Accommodation: The 5-star Les Chalets du Portetta Blanchot Lodge sleeps 10 to 12 people and has ski in/ski out facilities. The lodge has a level dedicated to relaxation. Sample delights such as the herbal tea bar, home cinema, steam room, and ski room with heated boot warmers. Be prepared to pay for such luxury though! 7 nights here for 2 people can cost in the region of €30,000! There are smaller and cheaper options available from self-catered lodges to rooms in hotels. For example, Apartment 304 with Les Grandes Bosses, a self-catering ski in/ski out studio flat, costs around €88 per night based on 2 people staying.
Méribel
This resort isn’t just popular for its slopes. In summer months discover walking and hiking routes and there’s also a fantastic golf course. Pay a visit to L’Ekrin, a Michelin-starred restaurant serving high class cuisine. The closest airport is Chambery (1hr 15min) but be prepared for cancellations in bad weather. An alternative is Grenoble Airport which is 2 hours away. New Year and the months of February and March are the busiest.
Opening dates: December 10th 2016-April 23rd 2017.
Accommodation: While there is some private accommodation, hotels and chalets apartments are more common. Chalet de Morel costs upwards of €140 per night including breakfast based on two people sharing. There is a free bus service to the town centre and ski lifts are a short distance away. A halfboard room at la Grand Coeur costs from €217.50 per person and includes access to their facilities (hot tub, concierge, fitness room, sauna, ski room etc).
Skiing in Courcheval, France. Photo by: Nikolai Korzhov/Fotolia
Val Thorens
This is the highest ski resort in Europe and the one with the longest opening period. Experience 600km of runs. There’s over 60 restaurants so experience the ‘snow bistronomy’ while you’re here. Enjoy the fully-equipped sports centre, toboggan slope, 1300m zip line, panoramic cable cars and ice track.
Opening dates: November 26th 2016-May 1st 2017.
Accommodation: Here accommodation is 100% ski in/ski out. The Chalet Emeraude is a self-catering chalet within a 10 minute walk of the resort. This two roomed apartment can sleep up to 5 people and has fantastic views. A stay here costs from €74.29 per night. Alternatively enjoy the facilities on offer at the Hotel Koh-I Nor. Designed specifically to let in as much natural light as possible, each room has its own private balcony. There are two unique restaurants to dine in, a lounge-bar and spa. A North West facing double room costs €370 per night including breakfast.
Three Valleys Ski Passes
1 day on the slopes of Courcheval and Méribel will cost around €45.90 where as a pass for 5 days will cost €210. A 1-day pass for Val Thorens costs €45 and 5 days will cost €213.50. A 5-day adult ski pass at Méribel costs €200.70.
A Solo Pass for 1 day across all slopes in the Three Valleys is €60. A pass for 3 people or more hitting the slopes across the valleys for 6 days is available for €279 per person.
Scandinavian Alps, Norway
Beitostølen
With an altitude of 900m and the mountain range of Jotunheimen nearby, the conditions here are great for skiing and provide a longer season than usual. There are 2 large ski areas, with tobogganing and 320km of cross-country tracks available.
Predicted opening dates: end October 2016-end April 2017.
Accommodation: Stay in the well-known hotel chain, Radisson Blu. Benefit from their onsite restaurant serving traditional and international dishes, their gym, sauna and pool for a relaxing stay after you’ve hit the slopes. Rooms cost from €104.70 per night. The Bergo Hotel, providing a more local approach, is in high demand with rooms from €105 per night.
Ski passes: A 2-day pass for an adult costs NOK740 and a 6-day pass costs NOK1630.
Hemsedal
Experience 250km of ski tracks along with other activities such as guided ice climbing, snowmobiling, and horse sleigh rides. In winter, tracks are open for morning skiing on Saturdays (7.30-9am) and evening skiing until 10pm on Fridays. There are cross-country routes available- 120km of machine-groomed tracks and 90km of marked mountain trails. Take a ride on the Flam Train which was Norway’s third most-visited attraction. Witness the stunning double waterfall of Rjukandefossen.
Opening dates: November-May.
Accommodation: The Skarsnuten Hotel is located just a 10-minute drive away from Hemsedal. Continental dishes are served in its restaurant and buffet breakfast is on offer. Benefit from the hotel’s fitness room, solarium and sauna. Two adults sharing a room for two nights’ costs €484. Alternatively, hire a cabin in the mountains. Lykkja Feriesenter consists of 8 cabins that sleep up to 10 people. Wake up to a fabulous view of the valley and jump in the sauna after a day of skiing. Hiring a cabin for a week costs NOK5,500 and a weekend costs NOK3,500.
Ski passes: A 2-day pass for an adult costs NOK810 and a 6-day pass costs NOK1815.
Skiing in Hemsedal, Norway. Photo by: tsuguliev/Fotolia
Geilo
These uncrowded pistes contain 20 lifts, 32 slopes and 220km of cross-country trails. Experience night skiing, dog sledding, snow scooter safari, and horse sleigh riding. There are three different ski arenas- Geiloheisen, Hausdalen, and Vestlia. For those who like jumps and rails, there’s Fjellparken.
Opening dates: November 2016-April 2017
Accommodation: Stay in one of the world’s best cabins as awarded by travel agency Neilsen for 2006 and 2007. These are located around 1km from the centre of Geilo. Hitting the slopes certainly won’t be delayed. Enjoy the use of the sauna, lockable ski hall and free parking. 1 week with 6 beds across 3 bedrooms costs from NOK9,500. For a more luxurious approach, try the Dr Holms Hotel. With an on-site pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, fitness and library you’ll be in complete relaxation. Prices for 2 adults staying for 7 nights in December start from €1319 for a double room with breakfast included.
Ski passes: A day pass for an adult to ski at Geilo costs NOK410 and a 5-day pass costs NOK1565.
Hit the slopes and get skiing
Get prices for hiring a car from Bergen Airport, Oslo Airport, Chambery Airport or Grenoble Airport today and get your ski trip underway! We’d love to know what slopes around the world you prefer to visit. Share your photos with us on social media.
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Written by Jessica Juby.
