Archive for the ‘Skiing Holidays’ Category
Andorra is located between Spain and France and is an increasingly popular country for ski holidays. It’s not as busy as France’s ski slopes, for example, but it has some of the best views and the best skiing in Europe. There is the added bonus of duty free shopping, so it is a great destination for those seeking out cheap ski holidays. The other bonus is the lively après-ski!
The Ski Resorts
Andorra boasts a variety of ski resorts, many of which are especially appropriate for beginners and also for mid-level skiers. This makes Andorra a great place for the novice skier and it has excellent ski school facilities. Young skiers and snowboarders love to ski in Andorra, and the busy and active après-ski is an added attraction. Luckily, however, those seeking a peaceful secluded place can also enjoy the quieter resorts in Andorra.
Andorran Accommodation
As ski holidays go, Andorra offers a wide variety of choices of quality accommodation, representing great value for money and affordable prices. There are many welcoming hotels and self-catering apartments, although it is harder to locate catered chalets. If chalet living is the preferred choice for the holiday, however, there are excellent ski deals that include free places for children.
Après-ski
If nightlife is of particular interest, Andorra offers an atmosphere that is vibrant, busy, active, spirited and enthusiastic and there are lots of bars and clubs offering drinks at duty free prices well into the small hours of the morning.
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France is a nation famed for its ski resorts. Some of the most well-known of these are Val D’Isère, Tignes, Chamonix, and Méribel as well as Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys), which as its name suggests, is one of the world’s biggest ski areas. Many lesser-known resorts are also popular with visitors; France boasts literally hundreds of different skiing areas.
Les Deux Alpes
This resort is located in the Grande Galaxie Ski Area, which means that tourists here have access to more than 250 separate ski runs; more than 200 km of these runs are located inside Les Deux Alpes itself. Tourists can purchase a combination lift ticket that grants them access to other resorts in the area including La Grave, Serre Chevalier, Brançon, and Puy Saint Vincent.
Because the resort area at Les Deux Alpes is above the snow line, tourists will find themselves surrounded by a winter wonderland. This is ideal for those who like to immerse themselves in the sport; at this resort, visitors can usually snowboard or ski back to their lodgings when they have finished their runs for the day.
Les Deux Alpes has 55 ski lifts that can carry more than 60,000 skiers every hour, which means that lines are usually short and tourists can devote most of their skiing hours to the sport rather than logistics.
Most ski areas in France also welcome Nordic skiers who have travelled cross-country on skis to reach lakes, forests, and other natural wonders.
The town of Chamonix sits in a breathtaking location at the foot of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc. Though the mountain remains capped in snow throughout the year, winter is undoubtedly the best time to visit and soak in the atmosphere of one of the world’s favourite skiing destinations.
Ski schools offering lessons in English for beginners and intermediates of all ages are to be found all around Chamonix. The ski season usually begins in mid-December and with most of the slopes above the 2,000ft mark it is what is known as a ‘guaranteed snow’ resort. The slopes and ski areas are connected by a fast and reliable shuttle bus service and a sightseeing train, which provides passengers with panoramic views of the inspirational mountains.
If skiing is not your thing, there are plenty of other wonderful activities to make winter in Chamonix a great holiday destination. Snowshoeing can bring you from the town centre to the Mer de Glace; a coiling glacier accessible by picturesque railway train.17kms of snowy footpaths will take you into the depths of the winter landscape. If a little sightseeing further afield is on your agenda, Chamonix is close to several beautiful cities, including the nearby French town of Annecy, Switzerland’s Geneva and Aosta in Italy.
Husky sledding may be one of the most memorable activities Chamonix has to offer. An adventure lasting around one and a half hours, this is a magical experience. After a long day in the cold snow, unwind with a relaxing pampering session in one of Chamonix’s spas. The local fitness centre offers saunas, Turkish baths and a solarium, while the hotels scattered within the town boast newly refurbished spa facilities.
Experience the true meaning of winter in Chamonix with a skiing holiday. Whether you have been hitting the slopes or not, the après ski atmosphere is well-worth experiencing. Relax with a glass of ‘vin chaud’ or a mug of ‘chocolat chaud’ in one of the town’s many cafes or restaurants. With world-class casinos and a cinema that often features films in their original languages, there is no end to the entertainment offered in this international French town.
When deciding where to book your skiing holiday, do as much research as you can. The internet, library, and travel agents are a good place to start but the country’s embassy can also provide very useful information. After choosing the destination, pick the most appropriate resort for you and your family. It should be easy to find out which resorts have ski schools, nursery slopes or advanced slopes and whatever else you need.
Most importantly, check when the best time is to go skiing as some European destinations are suffering from less snow and shorter seasons. If you haven’t skied before, have a few lessons before you go, there are quite a few dry ski slopes around. Make sure you are fairly fit before you go, if you spend your days sitting at a desk, your muscles and joints need to get some exercise first or you are likely to at best be very stiff after your first day skiing or at worst injure yourself.
Unless you are going to spend the whole holiday on the piste, make sure you pack clothes for warmer days, evening and days when you aren’t skiing. You will need plenty of spending money as well as ski resorts tend to be expensive. You can save money by buying your season tickets and passes for the slopes before you go. Your tickets should include ski and boot hire. A family pass can save you even more money.
Choose your holiday insurance carefully. Make sure it covers you for skiing and that it covers transfer home should the worst happen.
The town of Aspen which is nestled atop of the Roaring Fork river valley in Western Colorado makes most people think of the ski resort as a playground of only the rich and famous may be true if you were planning to buy a house there, (average price has now reached the £4 million mark) but you should not be put of taking a skiing holiday there, as you don’t need a megastar wallet to go.
There are more than 5,300 skiable acres over four mountains in the Aspen area all with varying terrain, ideal for everyone from beginners to experts. There are other perks to skiing in the US compared to European countries especially for beginners with many ski instructors English speaking. There is also Buttermilk which is a ski school where beginners can learn in safety from the faster slopes that are further up the mountains. There is also plenty to enjoy off piste with lots of forests to explore and other activities to enjoy like trekking and the usual sleigh rides.
Although you may think a holiday to Aspen may be expensive, if you shop around you can normally find some great ski deals that won’t break the bank and once your there you can keep the cost down as there are many bars and restaurants that won’t break the bank.
Vaujany is a French ski resort that is not very far from the Italian border; the region is a quiet little hamlet – a wonderful place for ski holidays.
The resort is designed primarily to cater for beginners – just about 60 percent of all of the runs are for them – a third of them are for intermediate skiers, and only ten percent of the slopes are the kind that advanced (single black diamond) skiers would be able to attempt.
The resort has eight-four ski lifts, but it does not have any trams or gondolas. The top of the mountain is located at just over 9000 feet above sea level, the bottom is at around 3,600 feet, and the longest ski run is just slightly less than ten miles in length.
There is a hydroelectric plant nearby that provides ample power to the entire region, and the area also has the largest cable car in the world; it connects the resort to the Grandes Rousses region.
There are five hotels in the immediate area for people to choose from for their ski holidays, and the ski resort provides care for children from as young as six months; plus there are various other activities for youngsters and skiing lessons are available for the older children.
You can access the area by plane or by driving yourself if you have the stamina.
The restaurants provide good French and Italian food; there is a variety of cuisine to select from.
If you are on a tight budget when looking for your ski holidays check with the Vaujany hotels about special offers that they give for certain times of the year.
The Swiss ski resort of Zermatt has now opened four new slope for slower skiers in mind, the ‘slow slope’ have been designated to keep speeding skiers away so for those who wish to enjoy a leisurely jaunt down the slopes without the worry of being knocked over by fast skiers. The aim is to reduce accidents on the slopes and it also means less experienced skiers can enjoy their ski holiday without worry.
Ski speed limits have been used at resorts in the USA for some time and people who have visited them will be used to the ski police with their flashing helmets chasing and fining reckless skiers. The slow slopes will be monitored and any offenders who are seen to be speeding or skiing recklessly will lose their ski pass. There are calls for more slow slopes in the Alps to improve safety and reduce the risks of accidents, almost 30 a year die in skiing accident on the alps and number there hoping to reduce with the new measures. Skiers across France will also see a post campaigning for more caution on the slopes with the Foreign Office teaming up with French Officials to educate the large amount British tourists who have taken up many of the cheap ski deals on the perils of drinking at high altitudes.
Skiing can sometimes end up being quite an expensive but you can find ski holidays that don’t break the bank, if you choose your destinations and time of year to travel correctly.
For some of the cheaper places to go you need to think past the popular resorts in France, Switzerland and Austria and head more towards the Eastern Bloc countries like Bulgaria and Romania who slopes might not be as slick as France and the rest but you will find your money goes a lot further. Some of the best resorts in Bulgaria are Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo, with Bansko being one of the best for novice skiers and Borovets good for nightlife. In Romania their top resort is Brasov which is also excellent for beginners as well as intermediates, they have also recently expanded their lift system with an eight-seater gondola.
Many resorts also offer chalet accommodation, which can be more expensive however you can buy or rent chalets which can save you a bit of money rather than paying hotel prices, a chalet is a cheap base in the mountains for years especially if you like to take many skiing trips. As well as your own chalet if you buy a lift pass for a whole season, for example, sometimes costs less than four times the price for one week.
Bansko
Picture courtesy of NachoMC
When most people think of festivals, they get an image of waterlogged fields and lots of mud! However there many other festival venues and some you can swap your wellington boots for snow boots! Below are some of the best winter snowboarding and ski festivals around the world where you can mix a skiing holiday with a rocking music festival.
Snowbombing Festival, Austria
Snowbombing Festival takes place in the Austrian town of Mayhofen from the 5th to the 10th April 2010 and is billed as “the world’s greatest show on snow”. Entertainment includes performances by The Editors, Doves, The Enemy and Friendly Fires, as well as a town wide street party in Mayhofen, trips to the “forgotten Valley” where you can climb to the Tux Glacier for a party or you can partake in Challenge the Lumberjack competitions.
The Big Snow Festival, Andorra
The week long snow festival held on the 14th to the 21st of March 2010 takes place in Arinsal in Andorra and the festival feature some of the worlds best DJ’s and live acts like Judge Jules, Eddy Temple Morris and Calvin Harris as well as ski and snowboarding competitions and shows from winter sports professionals.
Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival
Held in Whistler from 16th to the 25th April 2010, Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival is an end of season party that lasts for 10 days. With various competitions and demonstration held in ‘new school’ skiing or snowboarding, live concerts and parties and also many fashion, film and photography events, including the ’72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown’, where 50 teams are given three days to produce and present their personal ski or snowboard film.
Altitude Festival, Meribel
Meribel in France is host to the Altitude Festival held from the 20th to 26th March 2010 and is a mixture of skiing, snowboarding, comedy and music. Some acts include Phill Jupitus, Marcus Brigstocke, 4 Poofs and a Piano and Andrew Maxwell. The festival has many activities scheduled including the highest gig in the world and a cross country ski race.
Ski Jam Music Festival Colorado
The Ski Jam Music Festival is held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado which is one of the world’s largest Ski resorts and runs from the 13th to the 18th January 2010. The backdrop for this festival is the spectacular Rocky Mountains, and they have a great line up of band performing like Keller Williams, Skyrocket and also The Wailers. There are also plenty of other things on offer like snowmobile and sleigh rides and also natural hot springs.
Snowboard Jump
Picture courtesy of Matt Biddulph
The do it yourself ski holidays took another blow with the announcement from British Airways that they are now charging you for the privilege of carrying your skis. British Airways have been the choice of skiers who made independent arrangements for their ski holiday, particularly since the low cost carriers had been charging for ski carriage for some years now. The charge that is being imposed by British Airways is no “small beer” you will be charged £58 if you pay for these when you book your flight online, if you do not, but wait until you get to the airport, this charge becomes a staggering £70!
It seems to most that these charges cannot be justified and makes it more important that you talk to a ski holiday specialist when considering your holiday. You will find that the deals that are available are considerably cheaper than individually booking a flight, accommodation and transferring to the resort. Tour operators get the best accommodation deals and contract hire coaches for the ski season for airport to resort transfers, usually much cheaper than you can do it yourself, although most charge for ski carriage which can make hiring equipment in the resort an option to consider. Again your ski holiday specialist can help here.
One way round the ski carriage problem is to use “snow train” which is Eurostar and travels from St Pancras to the French Alps each week on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. You still have to get to your resort, which is usually a short transfer, but you can take as much luggage as you want, including skis, free of charge. All in ski holidays by snow train are available through ski holiday specialists, and your transfer to the resort will be taken care of, this option is great for families and groups of like minded people. As no “snow train” exist to take us across the Atlantic to the North American ski resorts, we still have to rely on the aeroplane, but you will get free ski carriage on some Airlines