Soon after winter holidays finish, we start wondering how we are going to get rid of all those extra kilos accumulated due to homemade incredible meals? The answer is easy: skiing. If one of your hobbies includes skiing and you have a complete outfit which you forgot in your closet, come and visit the finest destinations in the world for ski vacations.
Photo via Boston
1. Switzerland – Valais
Canton Wallis or Valais, in French, is the border between France and Italy. Therefore there exists a variety of languages and cultures. French is spoken in the western region of Valais, while German is spoken in the east. Language border is located between the two cities of Sierre and Leuk in Rhone Valley. One of the main attractions is the Grosser Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps. Sun lovers will feel at home in this warm valley, which is the “backbone” of this beautiful canton.
Rhone Valley has many adjacent valleys, all with their charm. Many spectacular panoramic points are accessible from the Valais region. Here are the highest mountains in Europe, including the impressive Matterhorn and Dufourspitze at 4,634 meters above sea level and the highest point in the country. Mont Blanc is just at the French-Italian border. It is the highest mountain in Western Europe (4,807 m). Valais region is in southern Switzerland and is almost completely surrounded by mountains, making it the perfect place for skiing.
Photo via Sportvac
2. Germania – Garmisch-Partenkirchen
In Germany there is only a small part of the Alps in terms of surface which did not prevent the development of a rich tradition in winter sports. The heart of the Bavarian Alps is certainly Zugspitze, which with its 2,962 m altitude is the highest mountain in Germany. The plateau is the only ski area in the country. Winter Olympics were held in 1936 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Another resort with plenty of tradition is Oberstdorf, both known both because of the World Cup and Four Hills Tournament taking place here.
In Mittelgebirgen we will find many smaller ski areas. These mountains are becoming wider and taller as you go from north to south. The highest peak is the Feldberg im Schwarzwald, with 1,493 m, followed by Großer Arber mountain in the region of Bohemian Forest (1,456 m).
Photo via Ubergossene
3. Borovets – Bulgaria
Borovets is the oldest ski resort in Bulgaria. It is situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters and is only 73 kilometers away from the Bulgarian capital Sofia. Excellent infrastructure (modern gondola, double lifts, chairlifts with 4 places) it attracts hundreds of tourists from across Europe, who can use the 45 km of slopes of various difficulty levels. Although the resort”s history begins in 1896, Borovets has lately transformed into a luxury resort with four and five star hotels that have spas, indoor pool, Jacuzzi and a lot of other facilities.
Photo via Pocahontas Cabins
4. Zell am See – Austria
The charming town of Zell am See is one of the perfect destination for best online casino canada ski vacations in Austria. A romantic little town at the foot of the mountains, a lake of over five square kilometers with the purest mountain water, and over 70 km of ski slopes. What more could you want from your winter vacation?
A few minutes from downtown, is the ski center that takes you up to 2,000 m on Mount Schmittenhohe where you can ski on all 77 km of perfect ski slopes, with trails for both beginners and advanced. After skiing, we recommend you to wander the narrow streets of the town, full of shops and chic cafes and tavern.
Photo via Ubergrossene
5. Bansko – Bulgaria
The resort is situated 925 m above sea level, while the skiing area is between 2,000 to 2,600 m in the Pyrenees. Bansko is Bulgaria”s no. 1 ski resort, having the best and most modern ski center of all Bulgarian ski resorts with the same specific. In recent years it has been designed a new area dedicated to ”white sports”, thanks to an investment of a few million, made by a company that owns the license to operate the ski area of Bansko.
Photo via Alpen Dorf
6. Arinsal – Andorra
Arinsal will surprise you with the amount of activities offered including wellness centers, activities for children, and lots of restaurants, bars and clubs. The capital Andorra la Vella is 10 miles away, as well as Vall del Madriu, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Located in southern Andorra Pyrenees, the sunny resort Arinsal is located at an altitude of over 1,600 m. During summer it becomes a paradise for bikers and trekkers. In winter, the resort is an ideal alternative for beginner skiers and snowboarders, although there are some medium difficulty trails for the intermediate level.
Photo via Skiamade
7. Switzerland – Interlaken
Interlaken means 200 km of slopes or water fun with various kinds of boats, including historic rowing boats that glide on the waters of Lake Thun and Brienz. Add to this the St. Beatus caves, equally a pilgrimage a place and one km of stalagmites and waterfalls accessible by boat, car or on foot. This combination of sport, beauty and relaxation, makes Interlaken perfect for both international conventions, as well as an attractive destination for the best ski vacation.
Photo via Ski Resorts
8. Courmayeur – Italy
Courmayeur resort is situated at the foot of Mont Blanc (the highest point in Europe with 4,810 m altitude) on the Italian side of the mountain, in the valley of Aosta. The landscape is spectacular, with views of Mont Blanc, surrounded by 14 mountain peaks 4,000 m high, at the border between Italy, France and Switzerland. Courmayeur has been recognized as a ski resort when Mont Blanc tunnel opened, designed to facilitate access to Chamonix from Geneva International Airport.
Photo via Washingtonian
9. Soldeu – Andorra
Soldeu is a great place to spend your holiday in Andorra: a relaxing and pleasant resort, located in the center of the famous ski areas of Grandvalira. Along with Pal House, the resort has about 193 km of slopes with different levels of difficulty.
Photo via Constant Contact
10. Austria – Tyrol
Most certainly, Tyrol is the dream of every tourist who wants a perfect winter holiday in Austria. Thousands of kilometers of ski slopes for both beginners and advanced, skiing on glaciers and finding accommodation in world famous resorts or not that well known, an oasis of relaxation, the perfect destination for your next skiing holiday.
What is your favorite winter sport? Make sure you comment below.
