Ski holidays in Europe

Europe

Ski holidays in Andorra

Andorra

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Andorra is ideally located in the Pyranees mountain range, between France and Spain, and takes up just 450 square kilometres. The principality is most famous for its duty-free goods and quality skiing. Though it is tiny, Andorra contains some of the most dramatic scenery and the best skiing in the Pyrenees. Additionally, there are plenty of good hiking opportunities in the high, remote parts of the country. The ski season begins around December and lasts through March, though many resorts prolong the season well into springtime with snowmaking machines.

Pal — Arinsal ski resort is north of the capital, La Vella, and is well suited to beginners or lower intermediate skiers. There is excellent childcare offered here, making the resort a good family destination; while the lively nightlife is appealing to younger crowds. The two small Alpine villages of Pal and Arinsal both offer a range of budget accommodation. A wider selection of bars and discos can be found at La Vella.

Ordino — Arcalis is located in a scenic protected area on the southern slopes of the Pyranees, in the northwestern region of Andorra. The ski resort boasts a high quality of snow, plus an extended winter due to its location. The village of Ordino has a range of hotels while, El Serrat is the nearest option for lodging close to the slopes. A variety of cafés offer après-ski and night-time activities, and there are also duty-free shops and sports outlets.

Pas de la Casa — Grau Roig ski resort aims of offer ideal winter package holidays to young people on a tight budget. The resort is nestled in the east, on the French/Andorran border. One hundred kilometres of pistes covering the linked areas of Grau Roig and Soldeu make this the largest ski area in the Pyrenees. The resort is most popular with snowboarders, as the slopes are perfect for cruising.

Soldeu — El-Tarter resort is in the centre of Canillo, and is one of the most popular resorts in the area. It caters mainly to beginners and early intermediates, and the ski school at Soldeu is one of the most highly rated in Europe. A scattering of discos supplement the nightlife, which is bar-based.

The only way into Andorra is by road and the major routes include the CG1 from Spain and the CG2 from France. The nearest airports are in Barcelona and Girona in Spain, and Toulouse-Blagnac in France. The nearest train station, LHospitalet-près-lAndorre, is in France, two hours south of Toulouse by rail. From there, daily buses make the two-hour trip to La Vella. The nearest Spanish railway station is about 40kms east of the Andorran border at Puigcerda, and also has daily bus connections. Buses also go to Andorra from many cities in Spain and France.

http://www.andorra.ad/

Ski holidays in Armenia

Armenia 

Situated very close to continental Europe. Armenia is located about 5 hours from the UK and around 4 hours from Germany/France. Armenia offers that sought after exclusivity by only now presenting its mountains to the rest of the world to enjoy.

With the major ski fields of the Alps, Canadian Rockies becoming ever more busy with the increasing number of tourists, true and passionate elitists of pristine winter sports are always on the look out for new and exciting places to ski or snowboard.

Armenia offers that sought after exclusivity by only now presenting its mountains to the rest of the world to enjoy.

Armenia is a small country in the Caucasus mountains, formerly part of the USSR, but independent since the early 1990′s. It’s landlocked, surrounded by Georgia, turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan. The country is on average very high above sea level, with the highest point being the extinct Aragats volcano at 4095m high. The capital Yerevan is over 1000m above sea-level and very close to the mountains. There are no real glaciers in the Little Caucasus mountains of Armenia, but they get loads of snow in winter. Best season is probably Easter.

Aragats makes a good 2 or 3 day ski ascent from the road end in the town of Byurakan, just 40–50 minutes drive from the capital Yerevan.

Another good tour is to cross the volcanic plateau east of the capital, whose highest point is Volcan Azdhaak, 3609m. The small village of Sevaberd at 2100m is a good start point, and you can go east to the shores of Lake Sevan, or south to the Goght valley.

http://www.armeniainfo.am/

Ski holidays in Austria

Austria 

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The country’s southwestern corner boasts fabulous summer hiking and touring, and, of course, amazing winter skiing. The ski season is from around December through April; while the cities experience their high season from April to October.

Innsbruck-Igls ski resort is just six kilometres from the city of Innsbruck. This tiny Alpine resort is located at the base of the Patscherköfel Mountain, providing scenic hiking trails, a relaxed atmosphere and good skiing. The resort is 908m above sea level and features a good selection of accommodation, as well as plenty of attractions away from the ski slopes.

St Anton am Arlberg is one of the most famous ski resorts in the world. It is most popular with expert skiers, who enjoy the powdery slopes, moguls and outstanding off-piste routes. The resort has a charming, pedestrianised centre with a main drag offering stylish cafés and shops.

With Zürich to the west and Innsbruck to the east, the resorts of Lech and Zürs are conveniently situated in the Arlberg ski area near to the German border. Together, they offer arguably the best skiing in the country. Zürs is an elegant ski resort filled with typical white stucco Vorarlberger buildings featuring carved wooden balconies, while Lech is a 14th century village spread over wide grassy slopes with sharp ravines, nestled in a lovely valley.

Other ski resorts in Austria include: High Montafon, Ischgl, Katschberg, Kirchberg in Tyrol, Kitzbühel, Schladming (Dachstein), Montafon Valley, Neustift im Stubaital, Obertauern, Saalbach/Hinterglemm-Leogang, Seefeld, Sölden ötztal-Arena, St Anton am Arlberg, St Johann im Pongau/Alpendorf, St Johann in Tyrol, Zell Am See/Kaprun, Zillertal/Hintertux/Mayrhofen, Alpbachtal, Altenmarkt/Zauchensee, Bad Gastein, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Brandnertal, Brixen Im Thale/Wilder Kaiser, Galtür-Silvretta, and Gurgl (Hoch and Obergurgl).

You can reach Austria most easily by air, with Vienna as an important gateway. Alternatively, many destinations in western Austria, such as Innsbruck, Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg, are closer Munich. By road, the autobahn from Munich goes via Salzburg to Vienna. From Switzerland, the main arteries are via Feldkirch to Innsbruck, or from Basel via Karlsruhe to Munich and then on the autobahn to either Salzburg or Vienna. Vienna has rail links to all the major cities of Europe. From Munich, a train leaves daily at 09:24, arriving in Vienna at 14:18, and then again at 23:19, arriving in Vienna at 06:47 the next day.

http://www.austria.info/

Ski holidays in Belarus

Belarus 

Although the highest point in Belarus is only 345m above sea level, mountain skiing is becoming increasingly popular. Belarusian mountain-skiing center offer a perfect leisure-time for a family or a cheerful group of mates. You can have a wonderful time here and go mountain-skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

The most popular mountain-skiing resorts are located just near Minsk. They are the “Silichy” and the “Logoysk” resorts, moreover there is also an Olympic sports complex “Raubichy”. Artificially made slopes in the “Silichy” resorts are steep enough, with swings up to 100 meters. The corner of a steepnes of slopes allows using them for downhill racing. They also are suitable for professional skiing. Besides mountains and seven ski-lines this mountain-skiing lodge includes a hotel, two restaurants, some small houses for guests, a rental agency of mountain-skiing outfit, cafés, a first-aid post, domestic and household quarters. There is also free car park for 850 cars and a ski-line for promenade.  So you can easily relax and spend your time with great pleasure.

Not far from the city of Logoysk there is a mountain-skiing sport  resort“Logoysk”. It functions according to the European standards of service for mountain-skiing amateurs and snowboarders. The mountain-skiing complex includes six slopes, rental agencies of skiing outfit, a hotel, a restaurant and a car park. However this place is sure to be interesting not only to skiing funs but in general for sport-lovers and people who like active rest, because there you can also find tennis courts, can ride a bike, go boating and fishing, take a catamaran or play beach volleyball. There your dreams come true!

An Olympic sport complex “Raubichy” is situated in a magnificent place the relief of which was formed by the glacier. Because of its picturesque vicinities this place is called “The Belarusian Switzerland”. A lot of world championships were held there: four world championships for biathlon, world’s cup for cross-country skiing, some laps for freestyle and others. On the territory of the complex you can find many ski-lines, a shooting range, an acrobatic slope for freestyle, ski jumps, a ski-roller line with special pavement, a sports building with two gymnasiums, some tennis-courts, grounds for football and basketball, a medical center. Moreover there are two hotels, two restaurants, bars, 5 saunas and a wonderful museum of folk applied art.

http://www.belarus.by/

Ski holidays in Bosnia

Bosnia 

Bosnia and Herzegovina, host to the 1984 Winter Olympics, is a great ski holiday destination for all ages and offers dozens of perks — first rate slopes, breathtaking surroundings, inexpensive accommodation, a great mix of local skiers and international tourists. The slopes cater to all levels of skiers, and resorts offer all the facilities including ski and snowboard rentals, ski shops and excellent restaurants offering various types of food. The season runs from December to April, with the high season from January to mid-February.

Of the ski areas that surround Sarajevo, Jahorina, which hosted the women’s alpine events in 1984, and Bjelasnica, host of the men’s alpine events, are by far the most popular — with places to stay, eat, rent equipment, and après-ski action on both mountains. Both centres are only half an hour away from Sarajevo city centre. Igman, also in Sarajevo vicinity has a great traditional restaurant and mini-lifts for kids in addition to its standard ski trails. Other ski resorts are on Vlasic in central Bosnia and Kupres in the western Herzegovina. Except skiing, all resorts offer alternative activities: snowboarding, snow shoeing, cross country, snow scooter rides, night skiing, sledge rides and so.

The two most prominent ski areas here are Jahorina (below) and Bjelasnica, which are only half an hour from Sarajevo’s center. Jahorina hosted the Alpine events for women in the 1984 Olympics, while Bjelasnica hosted the Alpine events for men. Both locations host après-ski action and have places to rent equipment, dining options, and luxurious or budget accommodations.

At 1,915 m high, Jahorina offers 20 km worth of groomed slopes designed primarily for Alpine skiing. There are eight lifts capable of transporting 7,500 skiers every hour. At 2,067 m high, Bjelasnica is more challenging than Jahorina.

Visitors can purchase a ski pass for either destination for €13. A three-day pass is available for the price of €33. Visitors extending their stay may want to purchase a weekly pass for €70. The ski season in Bosnia-Herzegovina runs from December until April, with the high season occurring between January and the middle of February.

Bosnia-Herzegovina is a great ski destination for visitors of all ages of ski enthusiasts. The area also offers several dozen different perks, including breathtaking views, first-rate ski slopes, inexpensive accommodations, international tourism attractions, and nightlife attractions to suit any taste.

Visitors will find resorts with just about any amenities, as well as restaurants to suit the gourmet or the hot dog enthusiast even. But best of all, the friendly faces of the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina are warm enough to melt the deepest snow. Relive Olympic glory, or just relax and enjoy Sarajevo.

http://www.bhtourism.ba/

Ski holidays in Bulgaria

Bulgaria

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Bulgaria is a stunning nation located in the eastern half of the Balkan Peninsula. It is famed for its Black Sea coast, but is also home to traditional villages reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Hikers and other adventurers will delight in the rugged and mountainous interior, and history buffs can enjoy exploring the country’s Roman ruins.

Although still seeing fewer tourists than the neighbouring countries of Greece and Turkey, tourism in Bulgaria is steadily rising, drawing in visitors with the country’s opulent mosques, serene villages, fancy churches, and an enduring folklore tradition. The winters can be bitterly cold but provide excellent snow for Bulgarias major ski resorts from mid-December to mid-April.

Borovets ski resort is situated just 73kms from the capital, Sofia. Borovets is the oldest and largest of the Bulgarian ski resorts and sits beneath Moussala (2,923m), the highest peak in the country. The resort has twice held alpine skiing World Cup events. The idyllic town of Borovets offers good shopping, restaurants and accommodation. The skiing here takes place in three areas: Borovets, Yastrebets and Markujika.

The pistes at the resort cover 40kms and also have facilities for night skiing. An efficient system of 11 lifts takes skiers to their destination. Cross-country skiers will find an excellent 15-kilometre trail (just two kilometres from the resort), along with a world-class biathlon track.

Pamporovo ski resort is situated in the Rhodopes Mountains, 85kms from Plovdiv, Bulgarias second-largest city. The most southern ski resort in Europe, Pamporovo has a unique Mediterranean climate and is the sunniest of the Bulgarian resorts. However, at a height of 1,650m, the resort still has good snow cover throughout the season. This purpose-built resort is set just below the Snejanka peak (1,926m) and boasts a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

There are 25kms of pistes at Pamporovo and off-piste skiing is also available. The nursery slopes are good for beginners and tuition in English is available at the ski school. Six chairlifts and 13 draglifts keep waiting times to a minimum. Nine restaurants are located on the slopes, and the restaurant at the TV and radio tower on Snejanka peak (reachable by chairlift) is especially charming. Après ski at Pamporovo is lively with many bars, pubs and discos.

Visitors can catch a connecting flight to Sofia International Airport; while buses and trains are the easiest way to get to Bulgaria from Europe and Turkey. A regular car ferry crosses the Danube between Vidin and Calafat in Romania. Crossing the Friendship Bridge from Romania to Ruse in Bulgaria is also possible. For Pamporovo resort, you can fly to Plovdiv as well.