Valleys, peaks, rugged terrain or just an oasis of peace, the Alps lure the traveller with a full range of winter resorts. Just choose the perfect destination and get ready for an energetic vacation, which means not only fabulous food, fun and unique alpine landscape but also to remember that it's all about skiing and snowboarding.
Ischgl, Austria
This resort with a name impossible to pronounce is very good for those who do not have the patience to wait for peak season to reach the slopes. Don’t miss the free admission annual concert taking place in town and have everything done while accompanied by the sound of music with the Top of the Mountain Concert.
Snow is found in abundance on any slopes with a total length of 210 km, which rises to an altitude of 2870 meters. At night, the resort is a bizarre combination of rural meets raunchy; a place where log chalets and lap-dancing bars, folk music and techno coexist. Love it or lump it, this is no place for old age pensioners.
Hintertux, Austria
Hintertux has one of the best glaciers in Europe, with a special section called Gefrorene stairs Wand (frozen wall). It is one of the favorite destinations of those who do not give up skiing in any season. If you love endless winter sensations, you can come to ski here also during summer or fall.
In early season, visitors are rewarded with not only the glacier that gets under their feet, but also the northern slopes, away from all sunlight. Hintertux has a number of advantages and disadvantages: on the plus side, it’s a glacial resort, and apart from being one of the best summer snowboard resorts in Europe, it also has an enviable snow record in winter. However, in winter the same pluses mean that when the lower altitude resorts of the valley are suffering from a lack of snow, Hintertux can become very busy. Nightlife in Hintertux is quite lively even out of season, and hotels in the area are high European standards regardless of weather or season.
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Near the border with Italy and Austria, Kranjska Gora is what might be called the "pearl" of Slovenia in terms of winter resorts. Some of the merits belong to the Alpine Ski World Cup, hosted by Kranjska Gora. One thing less known is that the village is the birthplace of another wintry sport called "ski jumping".
Like any self-respecting European resort, Kranjska Gora has slopes for beginners and advanced, but other equally tempting options could be : "country skiing ', snowmobiles, ice climbing and climbing.
At night, true romantics will find a peaceful retreat in Kranjska Gora, whilst the more curious, inquisitive minds will be overwhelmed by the variety of folklore.
For more information, download Kranjska Gora pocket guide here
Verbier, Switzerland
The village of Verbier is located on a bright and sunny plateau above the picturesque valley 'Val de Bagnes'. More than one million visitors a year come to Verbier to ski, play golf or just enjoy the great views. With its chalet-style buildings, Verbier is a large alpine village which offers all amenities that makes your holiday a success. At an altitude of 1500 m (4922 ft) you are able to see the eternal snows of the Combins and even the Mont Blanc in France.
Verbier lays in the middle of one of Europe's largest skiing area "Les 4 Vallees" and offers you the opportunity to explore over 400 km of downhill runs for enthusiasts of all levels.
For the apres ski scene, check out the best bars in town here.
Kiruna, Sweden
Kiruna is one of the hottest destinations for cold sports in Sweden, which boasts with the ice hotel Jukkasjarvi, world's largest hotel made entirely of ice and snow.
And it is not hard to imagine why this hotel walls are never melting. Services of the famous Swedish resort are designed to please every visitor, from those for the whole family to tours on snowmobile or sleighs with reindeer.
How is one night in the ice hotel? You sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on a bed built by ice blocks, a wooden frame, mattress and it is topped with reindeer skins. Surrounded by art work made of ice and snow, by artists from all over the world. In the morning you will be awakened with a cup of hot lingonberry juice.
Combine one night in the icehotel with several nights in warm accommodation for that perfect ice experience. Jukkasjarvi offers double and twin rooms, hotel chalets for 3-5 people, spacious and comfortable, in a Scandinavian design.
In addition to the snowy slopes, in Kiruna one can find other attractive activities such as ice fishing, ice driving, ice sculpting, dog sledding. Those who come here at the right time, can enjoy the aurora borealis, a show truly unrivaled.
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Cortina or “Curtain”, short name of the famous Italian resorts is undoubtedly "crème de la crème" in the top resorts of Italy. Stylish, chic and located in an area whose magnificent mountain peaks are crowned by dramatic rock formations, the old village soon turned into one of the finest European resorts. Cortina hosts a variety of slopes for all skiers, combined with plenty of related activities, and creates a perfect destination for guests who want to see a lot and be seen by many.
Unlike other destinations, Cortina exhibitionism is at home. And we are talking not only about displaying talent on the ski slope, but also about a real taste for fashion waving passers eyes: Ferrari and Maserati cars, expensive furs and accessories, a real heaven for fashionistas and elegant men. Snow lovers should not be afraid of this picture. Even if the city is so crowded , the slopes are quite free. Many people who choose to spend their holiday in Cortina, do it for sunbathing and fresh air.
In town, dinner at fancy restaurants, shopping, long walks through the center or idleness in front of a cup of Lavazza are so intensive activities for some just like skiing or snowboarding for others. The advantage is the skiers will have less people on the slopes to avoid.
Nature of the land of the Dolomites makes its slopes to be rather limited for winter sports. Beyond this minor obstacle, it is a pleasure to slip on the mountain slopes, surrounded by the beautiful authentic atmosphere they create. The most famous ski slope is Tofana, that reaches a height of 3,200 meters, the ground speed at the top and best track for the beginner at the bottom.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt has become famous not for its great ski slopes, but rather due to the unique atmosphere that surrounds its visitors. For those accustomed to luxury resorts, Zermatt can be a big surprise. An unpretentious resort located at the end of a long valley, is an invitation to a dialogue with nature. Zermatt is the resort where cars are not accepted, which means that guests arrive by train, then are led to their hotels with traditional horse drawn sleigh or, more recently, with modern electric sleighs.
Ski trails are divided into several sectors, and some of them are interconnected. There is also the underground funicular, which facilitates the transport of trail for beginners to intermediate or advanced. In Zermatt is not all about skiing. It is worth making a trip along old Gornergrat railway, which will take you into endless fields of snow or if you are not very adventurous, you can admire the incredible view from the balcony of the secure and warm hotel room.
The most fascinating and challenging section is called Schwarzsee-Trockner Steg-Klein Matterhorn. The cable-car that goes to great height reveals a complete 360 ​​degree view from which the famous Matterhorn peak is just a part.
Zermatt is a place that invites you to stay as long as the snow lasts, whether you practice descent or want to improve your photographic skills.
One of the biggest attractions of the resort, especially dedicated to the great lovers of skiing, is access to Plateau Rosa, where you can ski over a distance of 1,400 meters to Cervinia in Italy. You can ski in the Alps, the two countries within the same experiences, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful gifts that a resort can offer to any keen skier.
Chamonix, France
Chamonix is ​​one of the best, if not ranked first, in terms of French ski resorts. Simple mountain settlement turned when locals realized that nature gave them something better than a life of farmers. Since then, the site has not ceased to grow.
The sport that has placed Chamonix on the map of winter destinations was not skiing, but escalating. Given the importance that skiing has now, it's hard to believe that when Chamonix hosted the 1924 Winter Olympics, alpine skiing had not become an Olympic sport yet.
As a local aesthetic, Chamonix is ​​more a crowded resort than a mound of architectural beauty. However, this is of secondary importance, since the city visitors do not go there for reasons of design, but rather practical reasons and sports. More than any other European resort, Chamonix is ​​addressed to adventurous skiers seeking long runways, reliable snow, rocks and any other form of challenge. Extreme terrain in Chamonix made the set perfect for directors and films that are in searching for a perfect winter atmosphere.
Accommodation is for all budgets, street house shops and sports equipment covering a wide variety of needs. For a taste of authentic French atmosphere do not avoid bars and pubs with their delicious and aromatic temptations.
Among the popular ski slopes, Le Brivent is closest to the center, while at Flighre offers one of the best places in France dedicated to intermediate practitioners. Grands Montets is recognized as one of the most challenging ski areas. Cable-car can reach 3000 meters, furthermore, if you are in good shape, you can venture into climbing the 121 steps of metal, which and the end you’ll find of one of the most beautiful views of the Alps. Other tracks on the other hand, such as Les Houches and Le Tour are known for their land more friendly to winter sports practitioners.
Val d'Isere / Tignes, France
Reputation Val d'Isere and Tignes regions is forever linked with the name of French skier Jean-Claude Killy. Although born in a suburb of Paris, Killy grew up in Val D'Isere, the place that gave him the opportunity to develop their talent and improve sporting. In his honor, the Val D'Isere - Tignes is currently promoted as the Space Killy, incorporating all the services and conditions that have made France to become one of the main destinations for winter sports lovers.
In this area you will find the center of an old rural settlement, called Val Village, around which were built new buildings and hotels, always getting their numerous guests. Whether you choose Val D'Isere, or you prefer Tignes, Killy Space is open to all skiers and winter sports fans, regardless of experience. In both localities there are arranged tracks for beginners, part with a higher degree of difficulty or long steeps dedicated to adrenalin fans.
Abundant mountain restaurants serve delicious food dishes, even if the initial atmosphere may be too rustic for some luxury lovers. The entire alpine area is dedicated to winter sports, and quality services are available also in the summer.
Why choose the seaside if you are a great enthusiast of the mountain? In Glaciers Pissaillas you can ski in summer too.
In the area there are three main ski areas. The first one is Bellevarde, where it is annual race called OK, and which connects to Tignes by a ridge called Col de Fresa. La Solaire is one of the sunniest , yet one of the smoothest slopes. Col d'Iseran is a kind of Mecca of altitude in Val D'Isere. The most difficult tracks come with a guide because they are areas with a high degree of danger, which include rocks and avalanches.
What's your favorite ski resort and best tip on what to do there?
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