Ski holidays in Denmark

Denmark 

It may seem rather unusual to read about winter holidays and skiing in Denmark, but this country certainly offers the opportunity to ski there. In many ski areas of Denmark, the mountains are no higher than 100 meters but still they offer the all year-round possibility to go downhill and even to indulge cross-country skiing.

For example, in Silkeborg in Jutland there’s a nylon track so that one can enjoy going down the slopes all year round. There are lifts there as well. There is a nice way to keep fit and have fun not only for grown-ups, even little ones can use sleds to toboggan down the slopes. It’s surely better to ski when the track is wet or covered with snow, that’s why on dry days it is kept moist with the help of the water-sprayers.

There are some more Denmark ski resorts and one of them is DanParcs ski centre. DanParcs Rønbjerg is in Ranum and further north Gjern glegene DanParcs Søhøjlandet Center can be found. Another popular ski resort in Denmark is situated in a Copenhagen suburb Rødovre and named Hedelands Ski Centre. It’s possible not only to ski there but also play hockey, ice-skate and much more.

There are a lot of rentals where you can borrow necessary skiing equipment. If the weather is rainy it would be clever of you to pack in your racksack some waterproof clothes. In addition to skiing, some other activities are also provided. For example, you can visit a swimming pool, have some walk in the forest or enjoy fishing.

http://www.visitdenmark.com/

Ski holidays in Finland

Finland

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Finland is one of the northern-most countries in the world and Lapland, which makes up nearly one-third of the nation, is north of the Arctic Circle. Finland boasts modern architecture, a high standard of living, and quality education. Finland does not receive as many tourists as neighbouring Denmark, Norway and Sweden due to its remoteness.

Levi ski resort is located in the northwest of Finland near the town of Kittila. It is the largest downhill skiing centre in Finland and was the venue of the 2004 Alpine World Cup. It boasts a variety of slopes for all abilities, including the hair-raising World Cup Slope. There is also excellent off-piste terrain and a choice of alternative activities. The resort has 47 slopes, with 13 illuminated for night skiing. A system of 21 lifts, including Finlands only gondola, with an hourly uplift capacity of 23,500 people, run over Levis 325-metre vertical to supply all pistes, the longest of which is 2.5kms.

Pyha ski resort is located in the centre of Finnish Lapland, above the Arctic Circle, and is best known for its diverse terrain and cross-country trails; it is the training centre of the Finnish Freestyle Skiing Team and venue for the Finnish Alpine Skiing Championships. The prices here are still reasonable and there is some great off-piste, deep powder and steep verticals. The 10 challenging slopes are suitable for all levels of ability and stretch for 12kms. Huttu-Ukko is a good black mogul run, while runs for the less experienced are towards the northern portion of the fell.

Yllas ski resort is situated in Kolari, on the Swedish border in West Lapland. It has a decent number of pistes over seven fells that are particularly suited to beginners and families. Yllas is also popular with snowboarding enthusiasts, offering a good terrain park and pipes, as well as hundreds of kilometres of fantastic cross-country trails. The resort consists of two original Lappish villages, with the village of Akaslompolo located on the northern side of the fell and the village of Yllasjarvi on the southern side. The 43 runs are spread over a 462-metre vertical, and the longest run in Finland is also here (three kilometres). Other resorts in Finland include: Luosto, Ounasvaara, Ruka/Kuusamo, Saariselka and Salla.

There are flights to Helsinki from around the world, with frequent Finnair services from several airports in Britain. There are three or four daily non-stop flights from either Heathrow or Stansted airports, and one or two daily flights from Manchester. Flight time from London to Helsinki is 2 hours, 50 minutes. The nearest airport to Levi and Yllas ski resorts is in Kittila, which receives several daily flights from Helsinki and other Finnish airports.

Ski holidays in France

France 

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France is an incredibly diverse country boasting glorious cities and charming little towns, as well as landscapes of snow-capped mountains, rugged Atlantic coast and picturesque Mediterranean shores. The most dramatic mountainous region is the Alps, bordering Switzerland and Italy, and offering an array of exciting ski slopes. The Pyrenees are a mountainous region bordering Spain, also offering good skiing. July and August are the busiest times in Paris; however, there is skiing all year round at some resorts, with the busiest times from November to April.

Les Trois Vallées is located around 160kms from Geneva, in the famous Savoie region of the French Alps. It is one of largest ski areas in the world and encompasses seven resorts: Courcheval, Meribel, Les Menuires, La Tania, Orelle, Val Thorens and Brides-les-Bains. Courchevel is the largest resort in the region and boasts one of the worlds biggest armies of ski teachers (over 550 of them in six schools), offering classes in eight languages for every standard and discipline.

Located at the foot of Mont Blanc, Europes highest peak, and sheltered by a closed valley, Chamonix is one of the best known ski resorts in the Alps and is Frances oldest. The first Winter Olympics were held here in 1924. A picturesque Alpine resort, Chamonix has 76 ski runs. From most points in town, you can admire the magnificent Mont Blanc (4,785m).

Les Deux Alpes is a charming resort at the summit of Veneon Valley, in the centre of the Oisans. Frances second-oldest ski resort after Chamonix, Les Deux Alpes combines world-class ski areas, the largest skiable glacier in Europe and an array of après-ski options. With summer skiing available from June to September, the resort is busy throughout the year. There are a plethora of other ski resorts in France, including Alpe dHuez, Argentière, Avoriaz, Flaine, Isola 2000, Les Arcs, Montgenèvre, Morzine, Pralognan, Tignes and Vars.

The Pyrenees are home to 38 ski resorts, along with around 1,000kms of cross-country trails. The ski season begins in November, if the snow arrives, and ends after the French Easter holidays.

Les Angles is the largest and most advanced ski resort of the Languedoc-Roussillon province area and is mainly geared towards intermediate skiers, who have more than half of all pistes. Les Angles is bordered by forests and lakes, making the skiing especially scenic. Additionally, the resort offers excellent facilities and has a pleasant atmosphere. There are a number of fashionable boutiques and ski/sport stores as well.

Luz Ardiden ski resort is cradled amid forests and rocky mountain terrain, close to the Spanish border. It is an ideal resort for families, and offers pistes for all abilities along with an excellent range of cross-country trails. Luz Ardidens resort village, known as Luz-Saint-Saveur, is situated 15kms southeast of the ski area and has a relaxed atmosphere, good choice of accommodation and a few quiet nightlife venues.

Saint Lary Soulan is one of Frances most popular ski resorts and is situated just 20kms from the Spanish border. A quality resort, it is also the training site for the Spanish national ski team. As well as offering excellent slopes, Saint Lary Soulan is well equipped with modern amenities, an array of shops, and a fine selection of accommodation.

Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes Airport is most convenient to resorts in the French Pyrenees and you can catch connections to here from other airports in France. Airports in Toulouse, Perpignan, or Barcelona (Spain) may also be near to some resorts.

Frances efficient SNCF trains link the Rhine Valley, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Brussels and Amsterdam, among other destinations. Frances road network is very well developed and carries an enormous amount of intra-continental traffic.

http://www.franceguide.com/

Ski holidays in Germany

Germany 

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Germany offers a varied landscape. It offers the mountains in the Alpine south, lakes, forests and many resorts. Situated in the upper Bavarian region, Neuschwanstein Castle should not be missed. The ski season at most resorts lasts from around December to March.

Berchtesgadener Land is in southeastern Bavaria, near the Austrian border and just 23kms from Salzburg. This ski resort is popular with families as there are plenty of beginner and intermediate slopes, as well as good facilities for children. The resort includes the six ski areas of Jenner, Rossfeld, Zinkenkogel, Götschen, Hochschwarzeck and Berchtesgaden, which surround the city of Berchtesgaden. Berchtesgaden itself is serene and boasts ancient winding streets, a medieval marketplace and castle square.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the most famous ski resort in Germany and is located 97kms southwest of Munich. Nestled at the base of the countrys highest moutnain, Zugspitze (2,963m).Garmisch offers some fantstic ski schools, with runs and terrain to cater to all abilities. There are also some excellent board runs. Host to the 1936 Winter Olympics, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a premier ski destination. Garmisch and Partenkirchen offer an ancient village atmosphere that is sure to charm any visitor.

Oberammergau is another popular ski resort and is located 95kms southwest of Munich and 20kms north of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The resort has good beginner and intermediate pistes, scenic surroundings and excellent cross-country skiing. This resort is also popular with families, who come here to enjoy the well-maintained beginner runs, the first-rate ski school and good childcare facilities. Oberammergau town is a year round holiday destination, providing a full range of shops, visitor amenities and recreational opportunities.

Frankfurt is a busy air hub, servicing all regions of the world. Additionally, international flights are received at Hamburg, Stuttgart, Berlin and Munich. Berlin has three airports: Tegel (European), Schonefeld (international) and Templehof (both). The train network is efficient and reliable and can be the easiest option to reach the many excellent resorts in the country. Ferries sail from the UK to ports in Germany, such as Hamburg providing a transport alternative. Germany borders nine countries and has an extensive road network of autobahn.

http://www.germany-tourism.co.uk/

Ski holidays in Greece

Greece  

Full of architectural gems and ancient sites, Greece is one of the most fascinating countries in the world to visit. The Acropolis in Athens and the amphitheatre of Epidaurus are just a couple of the most famous treasures, as well as some exciting ski slopes and resorts.

Mount Parnassos ski resort is the largest and most developed in Greece, and is extremely popular due to its close proximity to Athens and the historic town of Delphi. Mt Parnassos provides a variety of facilities and services, including ski hire and repair, a ski and snowboard school, childcare, and a first-aid centre. The complex consists of two centres: Fterolaka and Kellaria. There are 20 runs, with a total length of 14kms, over a vertical drop of 620m.

Helmos ski resort is the second largest resort in southern Greece and is also near to Athens, making it especially popular on the weekends. The resort offers unique and breathtaking views across Korinthiakos Bay, as well as a magnificent variety of terrain, including extensive off-piste options.

There are basic facilities such as ski hire and repair and basic shopping, while most après-ski and lodging facilities are found in nearby towns and villages. The best-known run is the experts-only Styga, with the drop occasionally exceeding 45 degrees, while there are numerous gentler runs and off-piste areas.

Mount Vermio is situated 90kms west of Thessaloniki and is comprised of three different resorts near to one another: Seli, the oldest ski area in northern Greece; Chrysso Elafi; and Pigadia. Seli boasts good snow cover, cheap lift tickets, a friendly atmosphere and a decent range of trails.

Seli offers 15 runs in total, three of which are designated exclusively for beginners and children. The remaining runs are predominantly well-groomed intermediate slopes, all serviced by six lifts. The combined length of the runs is around 20kms, while there are also 10kms of cross-country trails. Pigadia offers five trails and Chrysso Elafi offers four.

Athens International Airport is the nearest international airport to Mount Parnassos and Helmos ski resorts. It services flights to and from all major European destinations, including direct flights from the UK. Thessaloniki International Airport is closest to Mount Vermio.

http://www.visitgreece.gr/

Ski holidays in Greenland

Greenland  

In spite of Greenland’s status as a relatively unspoilt ski destination, from February until April it is possible for skiers to enjoy Greenland’s extensive nature in the classic cross-country disciplines, as well as the alpine disciplines in some of the larger towns. The capital of Nuuk, for example, has an alpine ski lift of 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) and several kilometres of prepared cross-country ski runs.

The areas around Maniitsoq and Uummannaq are perfect for heli-skiing for any intrepid souls looking for a more extreme form of the sport. Heli-skiing in Greenland has the advantage that the heli-ski areas are located at lower altitudes than those in Europe and the USA. This means that there is more oxygen in the air and thus more energy for those wishing to enjoy the chance of skiing in virgin snow and unspoilt scenery.

The high season for skiing in Greenland is in the months of March and April, and it is also during this season that the world’s toughest cross-country race, Arctic Circle Race, is held in Sisimut every year with more than 100 competitors from more than 10 countries. At certain places in Greenland it is also possible to go skiing during the summer — for example at Apussuit Adventure Camp, which is situated on the top of a glacier just 25 km (16 miles) from Maniitsoq.

http://www.greenland.com/