The Culture Bank

Banff is world renowned as one of Canada’s best and popular ski resorts, not least because of the great value accommodation during the off peak season. The rise in availability of cheap charter flights make a skiing holiday in Canada even easier. Another draw is the unique and fantastic mountain scenery – among the finest in the world and not to be missed.

Due to its location, even the local wildlife is dramatic as wild elk are often seen exploring the sites of Banff, frightening the tourists at the same time. Though this resort is purpose built it still has most of the charm of Aspen and other US resorts but with all of the convenience.  There’s a network of roads and hidden amongst them are all the usual stores and a few boutiques, great for a little ski shopping. This resort caters for non-skiers almost as well as it caters for the powder seeking skiers! There are few ski catered chalets, the majority of accommodation is provided by smart hotels with this close to the lake with even better views.

With over 7000 acres of skiing comprising of over 200 different runs across all levels, beginners to advanced skiers are covered. It is said by some that Banff can receive as much as 400 inches of snow every season so you’re bound to find some fresh powder wherever you venture. Generally, there are two large popular areas – Mount Norquay and Sunshine Village, both are convenient bus rides away. Flexible lift passes are available and for true explorers, a total area access pass is available. The smaller Mount Norquay should definitely feature on your itinerary as during bad weather, wooded areas are available for the less experienced winter sports enthusiast.

France is one of the premier ski countries in the world.  There are more than 80 ski chalets and resorts in the country, all with superb skiing throughout the season.  The scenery is spectacular and you will not soon forget your French skiing holiday.

Ski Deals

Skiing deals will vary depending on the dates you would like to go.  Certain dates and times – usually coinciding with children’s holidays – are more expensive than others and the popular times will fill up quickly, so you’ll want to book early.  Look online for great deals.  You can specify your chosen time and area and then choose from the options presented to you.  Have a budget in mind before you look, as they do vary quite a bit.  The most popular resorts, such as those in Chamonix, can be pricier. Aim for a quieter area with less travellers.  The inn keepers may offer you a very good price and will be happy to have you stay with them.

Accommodation
 
You will find that, unlike other ski holidays throughout the world, France has a European style to their accommodation arrangements in the ski areas.  This means that the major ski resorts where you will actually be skiing may be a short distance from your room or chalet.  There are many charming bed and breakfasts, rooms to rent, and chalets for your family to enjoy independently and self catered.  Some chalets still have catering if you want that option.  The point here is that there are many different options for you and you can choose whichever you think might make your stay most enjoyable.

While skiing in France, be prepared for the trip of a lifetime.  Your ski holiday has the potential to be the best trip you have ever had but it also has the potential to turn disastrous if you are not careful.  Follow a few key safety tips on your skiing holiday.

What Could be so Hard About Skiing?

Since you simply sit on a chair lift and get a ride to the top, then slide down to the bottom, what could be demanding about that?  Many people who have never skied before share the opinion that it’s great fun and not too physical.  That’s not true.  Pay a lot of attention to your body.  Appreciate that your body needs proper rest, stretching before you ski, and proper nutrition; that way, you’ll avoid most problems that inexperienced skiers encounter.

What About That Après-ski Party?

There are many places to enjoy the après-ski nightlife while on skiing holidays and it is part of the fun.  Be careful of drinking too much alcohol however. It tends to dehydrate the muscles, which leaves them more prone to injuries.  Have a few drinks and don’t stay out too late and you will be ready for your next day of skiing holiday. 

Dress warm and well, use sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and have fun after hours.  You’ll have much more fun if you can partake of all the activities available on your holiday instead of lying about with a hangover and very sore muscles.

While the thought of careening down the face of an Alpine mountain may seem overwhelming – not to mention dangerous – for a beginner skier, that does not mean they cannot join their skier friends on a ski holiday.  There are plenty of destinations where both advanced and beginner skiers can get their adrenaline rush at whatever level they desire. 

Look for resorts that have highly renowned ski schools to help the beginners with their basic skills.  Check for adult-only classes so they are not surrounded by young kids.  Make sure the resort has rental equipment for all levels; some even offer kit hire to avoid paying for gear that may never be worn again.  The resort should have runs of a wide range of difficulties, both to keep the advanced skiers happy and to provide the beginner with room to improve.  See if there are two-way gondolas or chair lifts so the beginners can enjoy the best views from the top without having to ski above their ability to get back down. 

Finally, off-slope activities are important for all skiers, but especially for the beginners.  Pick a resort located in a vibrant town with plenty of shopping and other diversions to fill a day off the slopes.  Most large resorts offer amenities catering to non-skiers, such as a spa or fitness centre.  Or, find the opportunity to try less extreme winter activities, such as ice skating, sledding, or snowshoeing.  By carefully selecting the ski resort, skiers of all levels can have a perfect holiday.

Skiers and snowboarders are always looking for their next big thrill and the next best winter sports location; for them Geneva could prove a popular destination.  Switzerland’s second largest city has been described as one of Europe’s most beautiful and culturally rich destinations and with a vast number of ski slopes within easy reach, it is the ideal place for anyone wanting sun, snow and ski slopes.

With a huge range of beautiful ski holidays to choose from, many winter sports enthusiasts will be hard pressed to decide where to start.  Expert skiers seeking the thrill of black runs might try Argentière, with its extensive cross-country trails and downhill pistes or the ever-popular Chamonix, which boasts 14 black runs and 25 red runs.  Meanwhile, for those who are beginners to the sports of skiing or snowboarding and prefer gentler slopes, Gryon and Flumet are perfect locations.  While all these winter sports resorts are within an hour or so of Geneva, a vast array of slopes exists further afield, offering skiers a fantastic range of destinations to visit and explore.

Geneva offers a sublime retreat, with examples of beautiful Swiss architecture all around.  Sitting on the bank of Lake Geneva, the city has many famous landmarks, including the English Garden’s Flower Clock; one of the largest fountains in the world, Jet d’Eau and St Peter’s Cathedral.  With its rich museums, historic and ancient castles and easy access to ski slopes, it is the ideal base for a European ski holiday.

A ski holiday is a popular choice among European travellers, but timing is everything.  Planning a ski holiday largely depends on the time of year for your intended destination, so you should know what resorts are best at different points in the season.  Doing so can guarantee you an enjoyable ski holiday with optimal weather, snowfall, and trail conditions. 

November to December

Celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in a unique way by combining these holidays with outdoor winter activities at a European ski resort.  However, many famous European resorts have had issues with insufficient snow this early in the season, but the area of Tignes/Val d’Isere has a reputation for early snowfall.  France includes this resort on their list of “snow-sure resorts,” so you can plan a holiday trip there without worry.  You might also try Kitzbuhel, Val Thorens in the Alps, or the Jungfrau region for good early snowfall.

January to February

Considered high season, this will be the busiest time at almost every resort.  It is a superb time to plan a ski holiday, but it will be crowded.  Ski in Arlberg for a good covering of snow and the opportunity to ski many diverse slopes.  You might also try a ski holiday to Verbier, Chamonix or the Dachstein glacier in Austria for something different.  Of course, Swiss resorts such as Engelberg and St. Moritz, as well as Alps skiing in France and Italy, are also a prime choice for January and February.

March to Apri

The late season is less crowded but might also bring you melting snow.  The Portes du Soleil and Cortina d’Ampezzo offer perfect skiing at this time of year.  Again, Val d’Isere is a wonderful option with nearly guaranteed snow.

You love to ski. You love everything about it…the atmosphere of ski resorts, sitting in a hot tub as the snow piles up around you…all of it. The only drawback is that the ski season is not long enough. It ends far too quickly. Have you thought of a year round, round the world ski holiday?

It is certainly possible to do since due to the earth’s tilted axis and its revolution around the sun; the seasons in the northern and southern hemisphere are directly opposite. When it is winter in London, it is summer in Sydney, Australia. Technically that means you could visit a different ski resort every couple of months of the year and change location accordingly. Of course, you would have to do a bit of spring skiing in which you risk the chance of the season ending too soon, but if you targeted areas like British Colombia, Canada in the spring chances are there will still be some snow around.

The first thing you need to do is determine the countries you would like to ski in. Then, perform some research to discover what time of the year these locations have their best ski seasons and coordinate your schedule—to ensure that destinations have different peak seasons that you can spread out over a number of months.

Of course there is also the small detail of having the finances to fund such a trip, but if you love to ski then that should not stop you.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a proud historic German snow town, high in the Bavarian mountains close to the Austrian border. The town has a skiing pedigree that stretches back to the 1930’s Winter Olympics and its slopes are a perennial favourite with professional skiers the world over.

At the forefront of a Germany’s burgeoning tourist industry, in 1929 Garmisch-Partenkirchen built Bavaria’s first ski cable car and four years afterwards constructed its funicular railway to the Zugspitz Glacier. With over 40,000 beds allocated for tourists this is always going to be a regular ski resort for some.

The main ski slopes are easily accessible by bus or train from this picturesque Bavarian town, while the more challenging slopes of Hausberg, Kreuzeck and Osterfelder are a little further afield.

Although there is plenty of snow fun to be had by the winter tourists with skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing the major cities of Munich, Salzburg and Innsbruck are all relatively close at hand. As well as skiing there are also facilities for skating, ice hockey and curling and for the truly adventurous there is also the famous Garmisch ski jump.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a town that relishes its Bavarian heritage; the wearing of traditional costumes is common and the colourfully painted wooden houses against the mountainous backdrop will leave you with plenty of happy memories. Its collection of bars, restaurants and a casino will give you plenty of entertainment when you are not on the slopes. Along with the theatre, spa and museum there is always lots to see.

Meribel ski resort was founded by an English gentleman in the early 1930’s. Because of this it has a largely British feel to it and is becoming increasingly popular with British tourists looking for ski deals.

Located in the Three Valleys region, the ski resort at Meribel is perfect for families with varying levels of skiing expertise. There are ski schools for children and adults alike and for the younger children there are even dedicated small slopes.
Off-piste trails and black runs are available for the expert skier who likes to face something a little more challenging, and areas for snowboarding can also be found at Meribel.

Meribel is made up of two areas, one located at an altitude of 1450 metres and the other at 1800 metres. The resort centre can be found at Meribel 1450 and this is where all the facilities one needs can be found. The area at 1800 metres is known as Mottaret; this area offers ski-in ski-out accommodation, and is a much quieter part of the resort.

The main skiing areas can all be reached using the resort’s shuttle bus. There is also local public transport that runs to other resorts in the area, such as Val d’Isere.

For skiing holidays, France is the perfect place to visit. Centrally located for flights from all major European cities, it is also a short plane ride from the UK. With an increasing number of low cost airlines opening up flights to more and more destinations, ski deals are becoming more affordable for everyone.

France is an extremely popular place for those looking for skiing holidays as it is easily accessible by air from for all major European cities. This makes finding ski deals easy and often very affordable. With so many low cost airlines operating these days, skiing holidays are no longer thought of as just holidays for the elite, and there are resorts with packages available to suit all budgets.

The oldest ski resort in France is Chamonix; it is also the largest of all resorts for skiing in France. Perfectly situated in the Chamonix Valley in the shadow of the largest of the mountains in the Alps, Mont Blanc, the resort can cater for all levels of expertise, with runs for the beginner right up to the more adventure-filled off-piste trails. 

Families will find that there is also something to suit them; there are qualified instructors for those who need a little guidance on the slopes and also the opportunity to try snowboarding.  Even the non-skier has no need to miss out as there are many activities available to keep them entertained. These include dog sledding, tennis and mountaineering.  Those who are looking for something a little more sedate can also go swimming in the indoor heated pools. 

Ski deals can be found quickly after a search on the internet, and even the most exclusive resorts may have accommodation to suit lower budgets. Many resort packages include meals, ski lift passes and some limited ski instruction. Additional charges may include equipment and clothing rental.