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Time to Hit the Slopes
It’s that time of year when avid skiers are heading off to a winter wonderland to enjoy winter sports in spectacular locations. If you’re looking for a piece of the action, then check out our pick of the Best Ski Resorts in the Alps (in five different countries!) Kitzbühel in Austria
Skiers are transported to the slopes of Kitzbühel, Photo Courtesy of Flickr: Stephan Vereno The first non-glacier ski resort offering up to 150 days of skiing annually, Kitzbühel in the heart of Austria boasts 32 km of ski routes and about 170 km of slopes, with 52 lifts and cable cars ready to transport you high into the mountains. Located just 80 km from Salzburg, 95 km from Innsbruck, and 120 km from Munich, the resort offers more than most, with action-packed snowboarding fun parks, cross country ski trails, and hundreds of kilometers of winter hiking trails. There’s a wide range of accommodation available from apartments and private rooms, to farmhouses, youth hostels and luxury hotels, as well numerous top class restaurants and bars. Val Thorens in France
Looking down on Val Thorens from the top of the Cime Caron, Photo Courtesy of Flickr: flrnt The highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens is located at 2,300 m, on the largest ski area in the whole world. It is also a well-established contemporary venue offering a welcoming, sociable ambience irrespective of your level of skill or experience. And it’s not just skiing that they offer; you can also toboggan, go ice driving, and even mountain biking in the snow at the foot of the Peclet Glacier. There are 12 hotels (one five star, several three star and a number unclassified by choice) as well several residences and hundreds of self-catering apartments in the area. Recognized as a gourmet resort, Val Thorens also boasts more than 60 fine dining restaurants and other eateries. Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany
Skiing on the slopes above Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Photo Courtesy of Flickr: familymwr Currently regarded as Germany’s number one location for winter sports, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located in what is regarded as one of Bavaria’s best health regions, with one of the best spa health resorts in the country. A venue for the Alpine World Ski Championships in 2011, it incorporates the country’s highest mountain – Zugspitze – and the world’s most modern ski jump. The town center itself is old and fascinating, exuding history, yet the people have embraced a sustainable lifestyle and it has become a model community for electric vehicles. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can try tobogganing, winter hiking, snowshoeing and various other ice sports like skating. Numerous restaurants serve up all types of delicious Bavarian specialties which will be enjoyed even more after a long day on the slopes. Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy
Skiers in a cable car, Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, Photo Courtesy of Flickr: Manuel Bierbauer The popular Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of the world’s largest skiing carousel, the Dolomiti Superski area, and is linked to another top 11 resorts. In total just one ski-pass will give you access to 1,220 km of trails and snow slopes, and a total of 450 lifts (including 34 cableways, five cable cars, 26 chairlifts and three ski-lifts) to get you there. Most days are sunny, but there is still a guaranteed 95% of snow cover on the slopes. You’ll find a snowpark at Cortina d’Ampezzo as well as baby slopes for children. You can also opt to go on a spectacular ski tour that follows the famous Olympic run of the 1956 Winter Olympics. There are numerous hotels in the area (varying in star ratings), as well as farmhouses, apartments, rooms and camping sites, some of which are more suitable places to stay for skiing holidays. In addition to skiing, Cortina is a great place for go-karting on ice, ice-skating, K-track on mountain bikes, snow-mobiling, and snowshoeing. There are various cultural activities too, ranging from an astronomical observatory to various fascinating museums. When it comes to gastronomical adventures, there’s something for everyone. Laax in Switzerland
Laax, Switzerland, Photo Courtesy of Flickr: Nick Gripton This is a dynamic resort that boasts 235 km of ski slopes, four snowparks and the largest halfpipe in Europe. There is also an indoor freestyle hall – another first in the region. In winter there’s more than 100 km of hiking and easy walking trails, as well as cross-country skiing, and both day and night sledging. A highlight is stopping for dinner at one of the restaurants on the runs that stay open at night. But it’s not just about snow and skiing in Laax; the nightlife is fabulous, with concerts and events on offer, and there are a large number restaurants offering a wide range of different cuisine. There are numerous hotels in Laax, including some superb mountain hotels, and holiday apartments to stay in, from basic to five star. Related links:
