Ski holidays in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein 

The small state of Liechtenstein shares its borders with Austria and Switzerland, with the southern part of the state playing host to Malbun and Steg. Both Malbun and nearby Steg are popular on the international ski circuit, with the larger town of Malbun being the country’s most popular resort.

Services and accommodation at the two resorts are limited, mainly due to their size. The resort town of Malbun (1,600m) maintains a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, with the smaller town of Steg (1,300m) lying below it.

The prepared pistes of Malbun and Steg total 21kms, with the focus of the runs being on beginner and intermediate abilities of skier. Seven ski lifts traverse the slopes, carrying a maximum of 6,800 skiers every hour.

Close to the slopes at Malbun are 12 hotels with only 700 beds available; nearby another 600 beds can be found. The capital city of Valduz and the town of Triesenberg offer a more comprehensive selection of accommodation. One nightclub, along with the hotels and restaurants of Malbun and Steg resorts, are where the après-ski takes place.

Triesenberg (south of Vaduz) is a scenic mountain village worth visiting; one attraction of note is the Valais Heritage Museum. For the top attractions in the principality, Vaduz is the place to explore. The Royal Castle and the splendid State Art Collection, as well as the Postage Stamp Museum and Prince’s wine cellars, showcase Liechtenstein’s main industries.

Cheap deals to the area can be had prior to Christmas and after New Year; Malbun and Steg’s ski season runs from December to March. The most practical method to reach the resort is by flying to Zürich, from where train and bus transfer is necessary.

http://www.tourismus.li/

Ski holidays in Lithuania

Lithuania

There is a lot of people who associate winter holidays with Baltic states. The number of tourists visiting them in winter is larger in comparison to other seasons due to excellent natural conditions for practicing winter sports.

The biggest of three Baltic states is Lithuania with its capital Vilnius. Rather stable winters and well-groomed slopes and good infrastructure offer great possibilities for your winter holidays.

So if you wish to have excellent skiing vacation you should consider visiting Lithuania. Not only beautiful landscapes draw tourists there again and again. Skiing and snowboarding infrastructure is excellent and suited both for professionals, as well as beginners.

But you should not expect a direct flight landing at a ski resort. Major European airlines fly only to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. Then you should move further by land. No matter if you take a bus, train or a hotel shuttle, all those means of transportation can bring you to your destination. Ski resorts are situated in about 50 miles east of the capital.

Lithuanian winter resorts can offer you lots of slopes, lifts, equipment rentals and cross-country trails. There are very good opportunities for all ski lovers, so your skiing holidays should be a success. Facilities for all kinds of skiing and snowboard as well are open for you 24 hours a day.
This allows you to indulge night skiing. The slopes are romantically lit by custom lighting system.

Lithuania itself is also worth visiting. The ski resort in Anyksciai Kalita is especially popular among tourists. For those who want to escape from the snowbound landscapes for a change it is highly recommended to visit Vilnius. The architecture and remnants of Russian and German presence are very fascinating. If you like nightlife you can find there plenty of nightclubs and other places of entertainment.

http://www.lithuaniantravel.com/

Ski holidays in Macedonia

Macedonia

Despite being one of the most southern countries in Europe by its geographic position, Macedonia with its configuration and climate conditions, offers numerous possibilities for the development of winter sports. The wonderful mountain ranges protect the terrains below and, particularly true of Bistra and Shara Mountains, enable for a six-monthslong snow covered terrains. This is, one must admit, rarely to be found elsewhere in the world that such a micro-climateexists in Macedonia.

Skiing in Macedonia is a popular sport that is enjoyed by the local people as well as the foreign tourists. The country of Macedonia located in the southernmost part of Europe, offers great climatic condition for the sport. Skiing Alpine and Nordic is a major event held to promote the beauty of the Macedonian mountains. There are two traditional events that are organized by the Macedonian ski workers. Mavrovo Memorial Tournament and the International Alpine Skiing Tournament also known as the Shara Mountain Cup, are the two popular sports events in Macedonia that are organized by the Bistra community and the Popova Shapka respectively.

Skiing in Macedonia has been encouraged over the past few years by these two sports activities. The aim of the skiers is to reach high goals and achieve international standards. Macedonian skiers achieved this target to some extent in the last few years by winning the FIS points. Of all the sports events that are held in Macedonia, the Shara Mountain Cup is the oldest. This competition was first held in the year 1947. The area chosen for this purpose was the Ceripasina peak. Skiers from different countries like Romania, Yugoslavia, Hungary and Bulgaria participated in the contest.

http://www.exploringmacedonia.com/

Ski holidays in Montenegro

Montenegro

In Montenegro there are several winter resorts for both downhill and cross-country skiing. The most popular ones are Kolasin and Zabljak, which are laid at the foot of the two beautiful massive mountains of Bjelasica and Durmitor.

Zabjak is covered with snow for 120 days a year. There are three main ski-trails here: Savin Kuk, Stuoc and Javorovaca. Savin Kuk is serviced by two chair lifts and two bar lifts (one of them – child one); the trail is 3500 m long. On Stuoc, the trail is shorter (2630 m) but not less interesting. Javorovaca is suited for beginning downhill skiers, as the trail is quite short and easy (800 m). There are also trails from 3 to 12 km long for cross-country skiers.

On Durmitor, two traditional international downhill skiing competitions – Angel Cup and Durmitor Cup, take place. There are training schools in skiing club “Zabljak”, snowboard club “Savin Kuk” and mountaineering–skiing association “Durmitor”.

There are also excellent opportunities for skiing on slopes of Bjelasica. There is plenty of snow here (snow cover from 1 to 3 m), so trails are good for skiing from December till April. Elevation difference is 560 m (from 1420 to 1980 m above sea level). Total length of the trails is 15 km. Length of the main trail Jezerine is 4.5 km.

There are large chair lift and three bar lifts. Night skiing is available here. The trails are 9 km away from Kolasin. There are two skiing clubs in the town – “Bjelasica” and ”Trebaljevo”. Annual traditional skiing competition “Golden Fox” takes place on Bjelasica. The snowboard competition takes place as a part of February winter festival.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Montenegro! Both Zabljak and Kolasin give you excellent opportunity for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebration in the real depth of the country, far from the vanity of present civilization. Nevertheless, there is no reason for boredom — you are welcome to use plenty cafes, bars, restaurants with local and european food, discos — in addition to skiing and snowboarding. On both resorts, various entertaining and sports events with slogan “Hot winter in the mountains” are organized by National Tourism Organization of Montenegro during the whole season.

http://www.visit-montenegro.com/

Ski holidays in Netherlands

Netherlands

Skiing in The Netherlands is not a concept that comes easily to mind. Surely most of the country is technically below sea level, and what’s left is pretty flat? Surely this isn’t a country famed for its snow? Ice skating on frozen canals perhaps, but no snow skiing.

Well Holland does have eight snow centres, but they’re all indoors. It’s quite a healthy tally for a country of less than five million people, only Japan has more, and they’re all small, old facilities from the mid-1990s. The indoor snow centres of the Netherlands are largely impressive structures, and none more so than the world’s largest, SnowWorld at Landgraaf in the very south of the country.

http://www.holland.com/

Ski holidays in Norway

Norway 

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Norways spectacular and wild landscape has enabled the country to become a pioneer of the skiing world. One of southern Norway’s most popular ski resorts, Geilo is located between the imposing Hallingskarvet Mountain and the Hardangervidda (the largest mountain plateau in Northern Europe).

The regions spectacular scenery and proximity to the fjords come together with a fine range of pistes, making this resort unforgettable. Geilo also has a superb reputation as a family ski resort of global standards. Its charming and definitively Norwegian character has remained untarnished despite its popularity, and modern facilities stand side-by-side with historical buildings.

Just over an hour away from Oslo by road, Norefjell is a good ski resort, with a variety of terrain suitable for all levels of skiers and some quality cross-country trails. Additionally, the resort is encompassed by majestic mountain peaks and is 15 minutes away from the lovely Lake Kroderen.

Another great ski location, Voss is located in the heart of fjord country and surrounded by glaciers and mountains. It is conveniently situated an hour from the city of Bergen, on Mount Hangur, halfway between the Sogne and Hardanger fjords. The resort has a prime location on the edge of a lake, and features a magnificent backdrop of snowy mountains. Other ski resorts in Norway include: Hemsedal, Kvitfjell, Hafjell and Lillehammer (site of the 1994 Winter Olympics).

Norway has excellent air service, with SAS being the nation’s main international carrier. Additionally, two independent airways, Braathens and Wideroe Flyveselskap, provide quick and convenient ways to get around the country. By rail, Norways network of electric and diesel-electric trains runs as far as Bodø, 100kms north of the Arctic Circle. Express trains criss-cross the mountainous terrain between Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim. Alternatively, Norways bus system is excellent, linking remote villages along the fjords. It’s also popular to travel by steamer. Those travelling by car can traverse the countrys famous fjords via bridges or with privately run ferries.

http://www.visitnorway.com/