Posts Tagged ‘skiing in holiday’
Skiing in holidays around the world
Now that the summer is essentially over, many holidaymakers are finalizing their preparations for winter breaks, or getting ahead to book snowy holidays in spring 2012. There are a whole range of options out there for holidaymakers, so many choices of destination and package that it can be difficult to know what to choose. One good way to narrow down your options in a useful manner can be to find a destination which offers the activity option you are looking for, and then try to find accommodation close to that destination. If you are planning a skiing holiday, your job is easy as there is a selection of high-quality accommodation to be found within easy reach of virtually every ski resort in Europe.
Some fantastic accommodation is to be found in particular in skiing in Chamonix Mont Blanc, in the French Alps.
Chamonix Mont Blanc is a vibrant and deservedly popular skiing haven, with facilities and slopes to suit a wide range of skiing abilities, whether you have never put on a pair of skis before, or you are a seasoned skier and can’t wait to go hurtling down another black-rated expert slope. The area’s range of skiing attractions brings in both tourists and world-class sporting professionals, and the range of shops, restaurants and nightlife options in Chamonix means it is very friendly to tourists and those looking for something to do once they have got off the slopes.
The Chamonix area is split into four different areas, each with their own villages and interesting attractions. If you are not sure where to ski at, you could start in Le Tour, at the head of the valley. Le Tour offers gentle skiing terrain, ideal for finding your feet on skis for the first time. It is a big favourite for snowboarders, it has some well-kept snowy powder slopes (fringed with pine trees) which retain their snow quite a while after the Grand Montets slopes are no longer usable.
Not far away, the slopes of Brevent-Flegere offer fantastic views across to Mont Blanc and to the Mer de Glace glacier. The area is good for people in search of a varied and challenging skiing experience, with blue and red slopes as well as more difficult off-piste skiing. This is also a fantastic place if you want to unwind in the sun, devour a delicious lunch, and of course take in the sublime aspect of Mont Blanc. Once you have tried all the challenges Brevent-Flegere provides, you can move on to the somewhat daunting (yet truly beautiful) slopes of the Grands Montets.
The Grands Montets give access to some of the world’s best off-skiing routes, so if you are an experienced skier looking to really raise the bar on your next trip to the Alps. If you have less experienced skiers with you, they can go to the accessible areas on the front of the mountain, while you – with the help of a guide – explore the high routes of the Pas de Chevre, the Rectiligne couloir, the Poubelle couloir, and the Rognon glacier. All of them will take your breath away.
Of course, Chamonix is not the only ski resort in the Alps! There are plenty of others to choose from, from small and relatively undiscovered high-altitude villages, to popular resorts visited by huge amounts of tourists per year. For great skiing outside the borders of the French Alps, we recommend skiing in Klosters and Zermatt, which like Chamonix combine a great skiing experience with superb restaurants, shops and a welcoming ambience, not to mention convenient access to the slopes via ski lifts etc. And if they do not interest you, you could make your way to Bavaria, mixing in slope skiing with cross-country or even some mountain walking if you want an alternative to skiing.
If you have a bigger budget and want to head further afield, you could travel to the Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain, or to the snowy peaks of Tangiers, Morocco, the site of the highest ski resort in North Africa. Failing that, why not consider traveling to the sublime mountains of Quebec, for skiing in Canada?
The Laurentian mountains are home to a host of ski and outdoor adventure facilities, to suit not just seasoned sportspeople but also families looking for an introduction to the thrills and spills of skiing. If you go skiing in Canada, you can also make use of Quebec’s array of golf courses, should the mood take you.
Once you have picked your location and know where you are looking for accommodation, you might want to know how to find the most affordable self-catering property, and find out the most convenient way to book it. Holiday Rental Homes, our partners, are a great site to go to. You can search their large collection of self-catering accommodation close to ski resorts and slopes in Europe, and easily review the details of each property to ensure it meets your needs. There is a wide variety of properties out there, from three-storey chalets to small, cosy apartments. To narrow down your property search by a particular skiing destination, simply head to Holidayrentalhomes.com and click on ‘Explore activity holidays’, then click the ‘skiing’ icon. This takes you to a landing page from which you can locate the best property for you. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get skiing! Be sure to book ahead to avoid missing out on skiing in France, Germany, Switzerland and other great locations round the world.
