The Culture Bank

When someone mentions après ski, visions of fondue, ski stags and ski hens come to mind. When the skiing is done for the day, it is time to unwind if not party. From renowned restaurants to all-night bars, here is a brief rundown of where to find resorts popular for their après ski facilities.

Austrian beer tastes better after a long day of schussing down the slopes, so it is no wonder that the Austrians rank highly for their après ski. Although après ski is a French term, the Austrians are credited for making the words an event rather a simple phrase. One of the most celebrated après ski locations is St Anton in western Austria.

If a more relaxed atmosphere is needed, Italy is the place to go, but there are places all over Italy known for their après ski. Canazei (Dolomites), Livigno (near the Swiss border), and then there’s Courmayeur at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe.   

The Colorado Rockies is full of world-famous resorts like Vail and Aspen where a star-studded après ski mingling with Hollywood’s finest is highly likely. Both resorts are known for their award-winning restaurants as well as their award-winning clientele.

Finally there is France.  Chamonix, apart from being one of France’s oldest ski resorts, it is often heralded for having the best après ski.  With a wide variety of foods, from the standard fondue to Indian curries, activities include nightclubs and a casino.
 
For some people, the fun to be had après ski is an important consideration when it comes to making the final choice of location.

Budget airline have aircraft that are not fully utilised during the winter months and because of this they are offering deals that enable us to have a weekend skiing just like our continental neighbours, Eurostar also has fantastic offers too. A quick weekend away to the ski slopes is no longer difficult and your ski holiday specialist will be able to offer some really great ski deals at prices that are mouth watering and make you wonder how it can be done! There are loads of ski resorts that are easily accessible form most places in the UK, but naturally if you live in the south east of England, you are that bit nearer and closer to the train operator.

Only an hour from Geneva airport, Chamonix has lots of modestly priced accommodation with short stay bookings accepted as the norm. The terrain is varied and boasts fabulous views of peaks and glaciers incorporating the Mont Blanc Massif. Davos is a huge ski area which is shared with Klosters, just down the valley, with some excellent long runs of up to eight miles. Easy to get to from Zurich airport and plenty of weekend rooms available.

Weekend deals are naturally confined to Europe and are split between some of the best resorts in France, Switzerland, or Italy. With Geneva and Sion airports being the closest to the Alpine region, you can usually be only one hour away from the resort and that weekend skiing experience.

Like any holiday, there are good times to take one and there are times which you should avoid if at all possible. From a financial point of view, there are times when to take a ski holiday. The peak season for skiing holidays are Christmas, New Year and February half term, it is these dates in the calendar that you should avoid as the demand completely outstrips the supply and naturally the prices are at their highest.

If you have children and want to take them on a skiing holiday, and we should say that for children it is one of the best experiences that they can have and the sooner they start to ski the better it will ultimately be for them, you are restricted to school holiday time. However, you don’t have to go at the most expensive time of the year, half term, take them over the Easter holiday period. Do not worry too much about the snow conditions, there is usually plenty about and if you choose a higher resort, you can be almost guaranteed snow, the place to find out is at your ski holiday specialist.

If you hate skidding on ice and snow, or trailing behind others if the snow is slushy it will be because of your skis or board. If you want to perform better on those state of the art boards and skis that you’ve bought, take them to a reputable servicing workshop and pay to get them serviced. The reason that your ski school instructor can stop, turn and perform amazing feats on sheer ice, is not just because he, or she may have been doing it since childhood, it is because they have their equipment kept in tip top condition, just like you should if you want to improve your winter sport skills.

The two most important things to help your boards and skis perform are to keep the edges sharp and the bases waxed. This allows your boards and skis to grip and turn better and also helps them slide well. Get them professionally serviced it will not cost a lot of money and you will be truly amazed at the improvement to your skiing or boarding when you next visit your favourite ski France resort.

There are two basic kinds if skiing, Alpine and Nordic and for the most part when we take our winter skiing holidays we take part in Alpine skiing, you know the one where you strap on the skis and slide down the hill! Alpine skiing evolved from cross-country skiing when ski lift infrastructure was developed at mountain resorts to tow skiers back to the top of slopes, thus making it possible to repeatedly enjoy skiing down steep, long slopes that would be otherwise tiring to climb.

When we all go on our first winter sports holiday the challenge is simply how to control the direction and speed of their descent. Typically, as novice skiers, we use a technique called the “snowplough” which is where we all start and we use to maintain a comfortable speed and come to a stop by pointing one or both skis inward, but more advanced skiers use more difficult but more elegant and speedier methods, the ultimate for most of us the “parallel. As we gain confidence and we take on board our instructor’s patient advice, the better we become, increasingly looking forward each year to our next ski holiday.

In recent years Eastern Europe has become a popular destination for those seeking a ski holiday that is enjoyable but also very affordable. Slovenia is a good destination for those who want to take a ski holiday on a tight budget.

Kranjska Gora is Slovenia’s premier World Cup resort and its location is impressive with a stunning backdrop of the Julian Alps. The resort appeals to skiers of all levels of ability and it has a good standard of accommodation at reasonable prices. Kranjska is a good option for experienced skiers who want more challenging terrain. The World Cup Slalom run will challenge even the best skiers and snowboarders.

Just up the road from Kranjska Gora is Bled, which is famous for its beautiful lake with an island in the centre on which a picturesque church is located. The ski slopes of Bled face the lake and offer stunning views. Lift passes purchased at Bled also cover the ski resorts of Straza, Kobla and Vogel, which greatly increase the available skiing area. The ski schools are good, with excellent standards of tuition and most instructors speak English.

The accommodation in Slovenia is excellent value for money and the hotels are of a good quality, comfortable and relaxed. Many also have superb spa facilities, excellent for soothing tired muscles after a day’s skiing. Many tour operators offer good deals on ski holidays to Slovenia and for those on a budget it is well worth checking the pages of the individual hotels.

Ski holidays aren’t just about the snow and the slopes, many also choose their resort based on the après ski. Both Kranjska Gora and Bled have a good selection of restaurants and bars on offer. There are also other activities besides skiing, such as an ice rink and indoor tennis courts, or for those who feel lucky there is the casino.

Imagine taking a holiday in Switzerland complete with all the comforts of home, whether you select a villa, holiday apartment, or cottage. All are within a short distance of gorgeous scenery, exciting outdoor activities, fine dining and shopping, significant historical landmarks and a place where you can relax, unwind, and truly enjoy your holiday.  Renting chalets in Switzerland is a unique, affordable way to experience the beauty and thrills of this amazing country.

Holiday rentals in Switzerland include a wide variety of accommodation.  From stunning modern penthouses to quaint country chalets, Swiss holiday rentals provide quick and easy access to dining, shopping, golf, swimming, beaches, and of course skiing in the world famous Swiss Alps.

For extended holidays, renting chalets in Switzerland is a smart choice.  Prices per week range from about £150 for a small studio flat to more than £15,000 for a large luxury home.  This represents significant savings over booking a hotel or resort for a week or more.  When you consider that most properties also have kitchens, and all the amenities of a private home, these holiday rentals are excellent value.

Travelling in a large group?  Renting ski chalets in Switzerland allows you the flexibility of choosing a single property that can house every member of your party.  There are many holiday rentals available that can comfortably sleep a dozen or more adults.  You can also choose from a large selection of holiday rentals with infant cribs, toys and games for children, special considerations for handicapped or elderly travellers, and much more.

So much flexibility and brilliant value, why not take the time to check out private holiday rentals in Switzerland?

Considered to be the first capital of modern Italy, Turin is also one of the most popular ski resorts entire country, and although it is not as famous as places like Rome or Venice; its charm lies in the fact that it combines elements such as the Po River, the Alps of the Piedmont region, and a variety of ski resorts that were used in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Considered by many,( including the famous architect Le Corbusier),  to be one of the most beautiful natural locations in the world, Turn is not only a popular ski resort but is also a major city for technology and industry, and doubles as a headquarters for many of the largest Italian companies, including Fiat.

The Alps are considered to be the premier skiing mountains on the planet, and Turin is nestled up against the southern slopes of the range. During the winter months the Alps transform into a haven for ski-lovers from around the world, and Turin is one of the places that offer a complete winter package, regardless of the veteran or novice status of the skier.

In addition to the ski resorts and slopes offered by Turin during the winter months, the city is also a major architectural headquarters for Italian Baroque-style buildings. It is also home to the Parco della Pellerina, which is the largest urban park in Italy, and dozens of other parks that offer a refreshing view of nature, during the summer months when the snow is but a lingering memory.

Méribel is the collective name of three villages in the French Alps. The home of the 1992 Winter Olympiad, Méribel has been a site for skiing holidays since its first resort was established there over sixty years ago. Now this picturesque area has a collection of chalets and hotels for every budget to correspond with the world-class skiing.

Two star hotels offer affordability and comfort, such as the Savoy Hotel which is centrally located, providing half board with a buffet breakfast and multi-course dinner. The Hotel Doron is conveniently located near the Méribel Tourist office. Also centrally located, the Hotel Doron is a bed and breakfast aimed for those on a budget. With the Méribel Pub next door, any après ski fun is on the doorstep for those who are not too tired from skiing.

Many of the ski resorts chalets have been converted from traditional, period farmhouses while others are new builds. Some of the smaller chalets sleep up to six people, but there are larger chalets that house up to forty or more. Chalet Charlotte is less than 500 metres from the piste, half-board, and sleeps up to sixteen guests. The chalet is for adults only unless fully reserved for the same group. Chalet Laitelet I & II, a part of the Méribel-Mottaret resort, offers affordable lodging near the Mottaret lifts.

Language is not a barrier for those with limited French-speaking skills. With plenty of British skiers and tourists, participating in the many activities from hang gliding to ten-pin bowling, or dining in one of the sixty-five restaurants, the locals of Méribel are comfortable talking in English.

Dubai is one of the more unique ski destinations, located in the middle of the Arabian Desert. This popular winter pastime can now be enjoyed all year round in the heat of the midday sun. Ski Dubai is an incredible indoor ski resort where you can enjoy traditional skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing in perfect ski conditions every day.

The resort offers full training with professional ski instructors and has a full range of ski equipment for you to hire. The only thing you need to remember to bring is your woolly hat and gloves. The complex includes soft snow slopes, chairlift rides and the thrill of a family sled run. Organisers run regular snowboarding freestyle events for skilled performers to show off their moves, while should you feel hungry after your time on the snow there are two café bars where you can enjoy a meal.

Dubai makes for an interesting holiday trip, billed as a city of the future, today. It has the world’s tallest building; there is the Wild Wadi Park and amazing water world of adventure and Ajman resort with its extensive marine based activities, water-skiing, sailing and windsurfing. For golfing enthusiasts there are five professionally designed golf courses – individual green oases in the desert sand dunes.

All in all along with your desert ski trip you are bound to find plenty of entertainment to satisfy all tastes in this intriguing city. From the pleasures of a desert safari to diving beneath the waves, Dubai also has an active and entertaining nightlife and a rich array of restaurants and café bars with cuisine from every corner of the planet.