Now that winter has started, it is time to take full advantage of the ski deals on offer. While some may prefer to be on the beach, ski season brings with it a totally different holiday experience.
Part of Europe’s attraction is that it can offer a variety of different destinations for a host of suitors. The summer brings with it scorching heat in the south; with Greece, Spain and Portugal attracting hoards of visitors. Great cities such as Rome, Paris and London are hotbeds for culture and diversity, and central Europe and Scandinavia provide some of the best ski resorts in the world come winter time.
Skiing holidays are about much more than simply hitting the slopes. They can be calm family retreats, or boozy trips filled with hard partying. The chalets are accompanied by bars, clubs and restaurants; there is a whole way of life that goes hand in hand with the skiing and snowboarding.
The Alps are the main destination for skiing holidays in Europe.
Here are our favorites.:
Meribel
In the French Alps, in the Tarentaise Valley, is the town of Meribel. It is a component of the Three Valleys ski area, although after expansion there are now four valleys: the Meribel, the Courchevel, the Orelle and the Val Thorens valleys. They comprise the world’s largest ski area.
Not only does the area boast just fewer than 300 ski runs, it is also host to the annual Altitude Festival. This event takes place at the end of March and as well as all the skiing and boarding there is to be done, there are live concerts, DJs filling the clubs and terraces and top comedy from renowned stand-ups. For lovers of the partying and banter that can make a skiing holiday, this is quite simply a must-do.
Continuing with the Tarentaise Valley, there is Val-d’Isere. Home to the Winter Olympics in 1992 and the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships the resort is known the world over. Its commitment to chalet architecture and old-fashioned chair lifts gives the resort its quaint feel.
While it may have shrunk in the last few years, the Pissaillas Glacier offers the opportunity to enjoy some summer skiing, while this has been somewhat limited since the glacier’s reduction, it is not totally off the cards.
Val-d’Isère
Val-d’Isère is a perfect combination of off-piste skiing and groomed runs. This selection means that it suits a variety of skills and ability. Powder lovers should definitely head off-piste and get their fix.
St Anton
St Anton is a ski resort in western Austria. Located in the Tyrolean Alps, this place is not for the faint-hearted. There are some intermediate runs to be done, but really the majority of runs are for the very experienced. Three of the runs, Valluga, Schindler and Kapall offer up to 1,500 metres of vertical skiing and some parts of Valluga are only skied with an expert guide in tow.
The season typically lasts from November until April, and during that time most days will end up at Rendl. This vast slope catches the last of the day’s sunshine and so attracts the late-afternoon crowds. The base is also home to Rendl Beach, a lively bar full of music and dance on its attractive terrace.
To the west, in Switzerland, is Engelberg. Situated in the Obwalden region, this resort has an extra-ordinary season: a real snow-sure resort. The season starts in October and goes right into May. With a variety of runs, it suits all and Brunni in particular is good for beginners.
Despite its long season, the mountains offer opportunities even when the snow melts. Once the white has been replaced with green, there are vast routes through the mountains good for walking, trekking and cycling. So if you want to arrive a bit early, or even stay late, there is still plenty to keep you occupied.
These are a tiny fraction of the resorts available to ski enthusiasts. Different resorts will offer different runs. The more adventurous can go to St Anton and test their fear factor, and those just wishing to pick up the sport for the first time will find a host of resorts with lessons and teachers to help them master their skills.
Enjoy the banter that goes along with ski holidays and cheer up a miserable winter with the fun that’s to be had in the ski resorts of Europe.
