Archive for ‘Ski Destinations’
Ski 3 Continents with 1 Ikon Pass
With the Ikon Pass expanding into Europe for the first time, it’s now possible to ski three continents within the Ski Independence programme using the same lift pass! Following the recent addition of Zermatt in Switzerland, we’ve taken a look at how you can make the most of your Ikon Pass in winter 2019/20.
Winter Park, USA
Snow: The Magic Ingredient
Whether you’re in the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Wasatch, Tetons or the Monashees, or indeed any of the other soaring mountain ranges in North America, you can expect to ski and ride some of the very best powder snow conditions you’ve ever experienced. When it snows in North America it generally snows hard – a snowfall of several feet overnight is not uncommon.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Canada – Image: Ryan Creary
Some of our featured resorts receive almost 40 feet of snow each winter – that’s approximately the height of three London buses stacked on top of each other. But it’s not all about the quantity, it’s also about the quality. A combination of cold, dry polar air mixing with moist ocean air over the continent’s massive mountain ranges plus the high altitude of the resorts, makes for a perfect recipe for snow that is light, dry and plentiful. Read the rest of this entry »
Europe’s Most Snow-Sure Destinations
When it comes to unforgettable ski holidays, snow is, of course, a hugely important factor. While we can’t guarantee the snow for your holiday, choosing a high-altitude resort will certainly up the chance of good snow conditions, especially if planning an early or late season trip.
Tignes – Image: Stephane Cande
Discover our pick of Europe’s most snow-sure destinations: Read the rest of this entry »
Our top Hotels for a Christmas Ski Break
If the idea of Christmas spent in the snowy mountains surrounded by friends and family sounds appealing, read on. We’ve selected the best hotels in Europe offering programmes filled with festive fun from sumptuous Christmas dinners to spectacular decorations helping to create that magical festive feel.
Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, St Moritz
What’s New: Igloo Village Les Arcs
The Igloo Village, which is already a popular après and dining spot in the much-loved resorts of Avoriaz and Val Thorens, is set to reopen in Les Arcs this winter. Whether you fancy a soul-warming hot chocolate, refreshing beer on the sunny terrace or a fondue dinner amongst family and friends, the Igloo Village will be the place to be when it open its doors on the 15th of December 2019.
Igloo Village Les Arcs. Image: Manu Reyboz
So how do you create an igloo village complete with a bar, restaurant and two hotel rooms? After accumulating around 3000m₃ of snow, it takes around 5 days to assemble the outer structure. Then the sculpting and decorating begins! Over 10 days an expert team sculpts the different rooms and carves incredible sculptures into the igloo walls. The electricians and sound technicians then add the finishing touches. The result? A 350m₂ ice village full of atmosphere, amazing art and, of course, snow. Read the rest of this entry »
One Week – Five Amazing Ski Destinations
Can’t make up your mind where to go on your ski holiday this winter? The Capra in Saas Fee are offering you the opportunity to experience five famous ski resorts in the Valais region of Switzerland within the space of a week.
Skiing in Saas Fee. (Image Credits: PPR/Saastal Tourismus AG/Vernon Deck)
The Ultimate 5 Star Gastronomic Experience
Courchevel 1850 is the ultimate luxury alpine destination. The resort is positively bursting with top quality 5-star hotels all offering unrivalled facilities and outstanding levels of service. Courchevel 1850 is also renowned for its gastronomic scene boasting no fewer than 6 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Hotel Le K2 Palace
The Ski Independence Cheese Route
If you thought the only way to explore the Alps was through skiing or walking then think again! The Savoie Cheese Route invites you to explore the Savoie and Haute Savoie regions of the Alps through visiting farms, shops and restaurants, all with one thing in common – cheese!
By doing so, visitors can learn about more about their favourite Savoie cheeses, including the well-known Reblochon, Raclette and Emmental, and discover the different stages of production, from dairy farm to shop shelf.
Bears, Moose and Marmots: Karen’s North American Wildlife Guide
I love holidays. I love planning them, and I love going on them. Over the years I have skied at more than 70 resorts worldwide and my trusty ski companion is my mum, who patiently acquiesces to all sorts of wacky plans to ski more resorts and cram in even greater experiences.
One of my favourite things to do is to combine a ski trip with my other passion – wildlife. There’s lots of places where you can do that, particularly in North America. Here’s a taste of some of the things I’ve seen on my ski travels.
Why You Need to Visit Niseko
Japan’s outstanding success as a ski destination can be summed up in one simple word – snow. Our Ski Specialist Iona is one of our resident Niseko experts after spending a season there working as a ski instructor. Read on for her Niseko highlights, and why it’s a destination not to be missed.
Skiing in Niseko
Whistler and Niseko are two of the most popular ski destinations with Australians. So why have the British been so slow in exploring Niseko? Depending on flight connection times the journey can be only a couple hours longer than the journey from the UK to most North American resorts. Those extra couple of hours will offer you a holiday different to any other you have experienced before.
