The Culture Bank

Promoted as a rural recreation destination, Jay Peak offers some of the best skiing deals in the North-East of the United States.  The area is well known for its scenic charm and rustic warmth.

The small villages surrounding Jay Peak are quintessential New England towns with close-knit communities that are nonetheless welcoming to visitors.  There are many events and festivals in the North-East Kingdom region of Vermont, all within a short distance from this luxury ski area, thus making this a perfect getaway for the ski enthusiast.

The town of Jay is one of the last ‘undeveloped’ towns in the country, offering amazing peace and serenity as well as privacy.  Despite this, the excellent skiing, golfing, and other facilities here open up a world of exciting activities for tourists, and skiing holiday deals are available to suit any budget or taste here in Jay, Vermont.

Along with great skiing there are many other activities available in this resort.  Snowmobiling on the trails is popular, along with snowboarding on the slopes.  In warmer weather the area offers hiking, camping, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, and autumn leaf peeping; this four-season resort truly offers the best holidays in the area.

There is an indoor ice arena for people to use for various activities, including hockey and ice-skating.  Golfing is also an exceptionally popular activity here, and the area offers luxury and affordability for the entire family to enjoy their choice of skiing holiday deals.

For the best skiing 2011, consider Seefeld, Austria, located in the beautiful province of Tirol, situated near the Karwendel Nature Reserve.  Seefeld offers some of the most elegant skiing in all of Europe.

Seefeld has access to some 250 kilometres of ski trails and has hosted the Olympic Winter games, not once, but twice in the last fifty years.  It is considered to be the cross country skiing capital of Europe.

The skiing here is more focused on enjoyment and relaxation of tree-lined slopes with a stunning backdrop, and is all done between two sets of mountains.  Beginner skiers can have a great learning experience on the nursery slopes of Geigenbuhel and the more advanced skiers can have plenty of skiing on the Gschwandtkopf Mountain, with its peak at 500 meters.  There are numerous five star hotels available, all with first class amenities.  Even a casino awaits those who venture a bet.

The entertainment is sophisticated, but not wild at all.  The many family-run inns and pubs in the area offer live music, dancing and hearty, award-winning cuisine.

Other things to do include tobogganing, snowshoeing, ice skating, curling and paragliding.  You can also go swimming in an Olympic-sized pool, play squash or tennis, or go bowling if you choose.  Or, take a beautiful ten minute mountain railway ride across the valley to Rosshulte.

With all that Seefeld, Austria has to offer, it is no wonder it is considered the best skiing 2011.

One of the premier locations for great alpine skiing deals in 2011 in the United States can be found in the Pacific North-West.  Washington State’s Mount Rainier is a beautiful natural landmark, known the world over for breathtaking views and lush state parks, but this area is also a perfect locale for skiers here amongst the foothills of this stunning mountain.

Located on the sunny side of Mt. Rainier, the ski resorts of the area have multiple runs for skiers of all levels of experience, 3,100 feet vertical runs, and plenty of powder.  The gondolas provide a stunning view as they bring visitors to the top so they can begin their descent down this beautiful mountain.

Ski shops, restaurants, multiple resorts and hotels, and convenient access to large city centres are just some of the benefits that visitors to this region can expect.  Resorts like Crystal Mountain enjoy record snowfalls each year, creating the perfect paradise for ski holidays in Washington.

Some of the best skiing deals 2011 can be found by skiers in this region, as well, and resorts here offer a variety of amenities and activities for guests of all ages and budgets.  Skiing in the beautiful Evergreen State can be one of the most exciting and wonderful experiences for visitors who are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a popular and captivating environment of natural beauty.

For unique ski holidays for all the family, Japan offers an experience that will provide memories to last a lifetime. 

World-class ski resorts abound in Nagano, the bustling city of over 300,000 on the Japanese Island of Honshu, where the 1998 Winter Olympics were performed.  Nearby, the Japanese Alps offer skiing for all levels as well as snowboarding.  Steep, down-hill slopes and ski jumps will entertain even the most experienced skiers.  There are 14 ski areas and several large ski resorts with plenty of shopping, restaurants with international cuisine and après-ski activities.  

Hokkaido, in the Northern region of Japan, is more rural and offers the unique experience of skiing Japanese volcanoes.  This area is relatively new to the ski enthusiast.  The steep, birch-lined slopes combined with volcanic rocks and hot springs ensure a memorable experience.  The snow is deep and powdery and during the season, December to March, it tends to snow almost continually.  Hiring a guide will ensure you get the most of this exciting adventure, as there are many rural areas to explore. 

Investors are helping to develop the skiing regions in Japan.  Surprisingly, there are 765 ski areas and Japan may just become an international favourite for skiers in the future. 

With the combination of large cities offering international amenities and culture, and the small rural towns with their traditional style, there is something for everyone.  The warm and welcoming attitude, diverse terrain and Asian culture make Japan is an ideal ski holiday for all the family to enjoy. 

Germany is a hidden gem when it comes to skiing, and the Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one of Germany’s prime resort areas recognised for amenities and great slopes. 

Garmisch-Partenkirchen hosted the winter Olympics in the 1930s and the town itself is home to approximately 30,000 residents.

Ski holiday deals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen can include relatively easy access to slopes through ground travel or more adventurous treks up the mountain by cable car.  The trip up the mountain is an adventure in itself.  

Skiers here will enjoy Zugspitze, which is Germany’s highest mountain at 10,000 ft.  The glacier-topped beauty has ski runs for all skill levels and also offers cross country skiing and, of course, glacier skiing.  This mountain borders Austria and the visitor centre at the top is often crowded with tourists enjoying the stunning view over both countries.    

Zugspitze boasts Germany’s first superpipe.  Enjoy this well-groomed run for an extreme skiing experience.  If the weather is clear and sunny, skiing on Zugspitze is unforgettable.  However, harsh winter storms and the high altitude can create uncomfortable conditions for even experienced skiers.  If the winter weather is uncooperative, there are a variety of large and small hotels and lodges with good choices for restaurants and lounges   Some of the larger hotels have spa facilities for après-ski relaxation.

France is a popular holiday destination for skiers.  Whether you started skiing before you could walk, or you are just a beginner, thousands of Brits head to France for winter skiing holiday deals.  This article aims to give you a brief overview of possible skiing destinations in France.

Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Heuz is often considered to be one of France’s top skiing destinations.  It offers an extensive skiing area of 160 miles of pistes, including 86 ski lifts and 107 ski runs.  One of the main attractions of Alpe d’Huez is the Pic Blanc, and the resort claims that about one fifth of France can be seen from the top.

Avoriaz

Avoriaz is a purpose built French resort along the France/Switzerland border.  A number of different resorts comprise the Avoriaz, in total offering over 400 miles of pistes, including 228 lifts.  The most famous skiing network within this resort is the Chavenette, also known as The Swiss Wall.

Chamonix

Chamonix offers a range of ski runs for a range of difficulty levels.  For example, more advanced skiers are likely to want to ski the Aiguille du Midi, which not only offers fantastic skiing, it also offers breath-taking views on the way down.

Courchevel

Along with the abundance of four-star hotels offered in this ski resort, Courchevel also offers some excellent skiing.  Sous le Télépherique, Grand and Emile Allais are all black ski runs which attract the more experienced skiers.

Skiing in Bulgaria has become a popular option for skiers who are looking for somewhere new and exciting to ski.  Bulgaria’s mountains and breathtaking scenery attract national and international skiers to its slopes, which are some of the most beautiful in Europe.

Bulgaria’s ski resorts are able to offer skiers guaranteed snow conditions, wonderful mountains and a variety of slopes that are suitable for skiers of all abilities and ages.  Bulgaria’s three main ski resorts are Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo, but there are also the smaller resorts of Vitosha and Chepelare.

Skiing in Bulgaria offers some good cheap ski deals and Bulgaria is an ideal destination for those who are new to skiing or for anyone who wants cheap skiing holiday deals.  All the Bulgarian ski resorts are well established and with much investment in recent years, they have modern facilities and easy access to the slopes.

Bulgarian resorts are ideal for beginners as they have excellent English-speaking ski schools.  They also offer excellent value lift passes, ski hire and lessons.

Bulgarian resorts offer the skier a mix of modern ski facilities and traditional charm in the villages.  The accommodation is of a high standard, but is still affordable.  Four and five star hotels can be found in Bansko; Borovets has some three and four star hotels and Pamporovo can offer three, four and five star hotels.  In addition there are also chalets and apartments.

Nightlife in the Bulgarian resorts is lively, but affordable with many excellent value restaurants, bars and clubs where it is possible to party long into the night.

The most popular ski resort in Bulgaria is Bansko and it has one of the most modern and best ski resorts in the country.  In recent years it has seen a lot of investment which has brought new skiing facilities.

Bansko has one of the best snow records and one of the longest ski seasons of all the Bulgarian resorts. The town of Bansko lies at the foot of the Pirin Mountains near the river Glazane. It is 160 kilometres from the capital Sofia and just six kilometres from the town of Razlog.

Bansko’s skiing area lies at 2000 to 2600 metres.  The ski pistes are sited at two main ski centres, Shiligarnika and the Chalin Valog; both are easily accessible from Bansko.  The marked piste is 65 kilometres in length.

The slopes offer tracks and runs that are suitable for skiers of all abilities whether they are beginners or experts.  Snowboarders are well catered for with jumps for all levels.  Advanced skiers can tackle the slalom and giant slalom runs.  There is also a cross country track covering five kilometres.

Borovets is Bulgaria’s oldest and largest ski resort.  It lies in the pine forests of the Borovets col on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains in western Bulgaria.  The resort has the highest peak, Mount Musala at 2,925 metres, of any Balkan ski resort.

The winters are mild, but snowfall is heavy with Borovets often having snow on its slopes from mid-December to April.  The town is small, but it has an eclectic and lively nightlife.

Pamporovo is a modern ski resort which lies at the heart of the Snezhanka Mountain.  It is renowned as the sunniest of Bulgaria’s ski resorts.  The resort is suitable for both established skiers and novices.

Andorra lies in the Pyrenees between the borders of Spain and France.  Its beautiful location has some of the most dramatic scenery in the Pyrenees.

Andorra offers skiing holiday deals for everyone from complete beginners to intermediate skiers.  It can also cater for advanced skiers with its challenging off-piste skiing.

The three main resorts in Andorra are Arinsal, Pas de la Casa and Soldeu.  Each location offers good après ski and tax free shopping.  All the resorts are linked and each has modern ski lifts and a variety of skiing accommodation including apartments, hotels and chalets.

In addition to skiing there are many other activities that visitors can try.  Snowboarding or sleigh rides are also available.

Soldeu is a popular ski resort in the area.  It has an excellent ski school that is rated as one of the best in Europe.  The resort caters mainly for beginners or intermediates.

Arinsal, like Soldeu, is a small alpine village.  It caters mainly to beginners and intermediates.  With excellent childcare facilities, it is a family-friendly resort and its lively nightlife is also attractive to young people.

Pasa de la Casa is a good option for a cheap ski holiday.  With over 100 kilometres of pistes that cover the linked area of Soldeu, it has one of the largest skiing areas in the Pyrenees.  Its slopes are also particularly good for snowboarders.

Andorra has slopes that suit all levels of skiers.  The resorts are popular because not only do they offer cheap ski holidays, but also duty free prices, excellent shopping and a lively après ski scene.  If you want to ski but your budget is limited look for ski deals in Andorra.

While the mountains of Bulgaria yield many small ski resorts, there are four major skiing holiday resorts for avid ski enthusiasts. All four, Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo and Vitosha, have been garnering positive reviews for their well-executed ski networks, gorgeous scenery and abundance of snow.

Bansko is located 925m above seal level between the mountain of Pirin, Phodopes and Rila. With a new high-tech lift in place, Bansko in a prime location for abundant snow cover, that during the winter often reaches 2m thick. There are other attraction in the area with 120 cultural monuments, a new village development, a historical museum and ethnographic exhibitions.  Bansko is a haven for experienced skiers with the longest run measuring 2.5 km.  Beginners will find exceptional ski equipment rentals, and multilingual instructors.

The oldest resort in Bulgaria is Borovets, situated in the Rila Mountains on the northern slopes of Mount Musala. Ski runs are differentiated for the various ski levels with multilingual signage and international markings. Expect great snow cover from mid-December to mid-April on highly maintained ski runs. Day care is provided all day long for 3-7 year-olds in the ski kindergarten.

Pamporovo lies in the midst of the Rhodope Mountains and is the southernmost ski resort in Europe and the sunniest in Bulgaria. While the advanced skiers are enjoying the Giant Slalom run, beginners will find plenty of lower slopes for advancing their skills.

Finally, Vitosha, the highest ski resort in Bulgaria, is located 10 km from the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. Vitosha is also the smallest resort with six ski runs of varying skill levels. However, a number of drag and chair lifts plus a gondola keep the ski crowd moving along without long delays.