Guide to Skiing Holidays in The Alps
The Alps, spreading across France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, offer the greatest range of skiing experiences in the world, and can offer it all year round. Whether you’re a beginner, an expert, interested in a family-friendly resort, or want to ski in the summer, there are resorts aplenty to suit your mood.
Skiing took off as a pastime more than 100 years ago, and the established nature of the resorts in the Alps mean that distinct local cultures have evolved and many resorts are full of atmospheric architecture and local customs.
Prettiest resorts
Zermatt, Switzerland. Horse-drawn sleighs replace cars in this upmarket resort that offers panoramic views of the Matterhorn, arguably the Alps’ most celebrated mountain.
Alpbach, Austria. Claims to be the prettiest village in Austria and has good beginner, or ‘green’, slopes.
Resorts for families
Villars, Switzerland. Boasts a ‘Families Welcome’ award from the Swiss Tourism Federation (http://www.swisstourfed.ch). The local tourist office rents childcare items such as changing mats and playpens.
Les Arcs, France. A purpose-built resort where all the runs end in a pleasing flat bowl in front of the village, so you don’t have to lug ski equipment long distances to and from your accommodation or wait for a bus with tired children at the end of the day. While not the most picturesque destination, there is a comprehensive range of ski schools for children and adults of all ages and abilities.
Resorts for beginners
Soll, Austria. There are 400 kilometres of ski runs, with many slopes that are gently rolling and wide, making them perfect for beginners. A low-lying resort, the lower slopes used to suffer from lack of snow, but investment in snowmaking machines has improved the situation. It’s possible to ski back to your apartment.
Livigno, Italy. A wide, open valley with gently undulating slopes, this is prime beginners’ territory. You can also ski here until late in the season.
Resorts for experts
Chamonix, France. A well-deserved reputation for offering challenging skiing. The main attraction as far as the steepest, or ‘black’, slopes go is Les Grands Montets and its two long runs, Point de Vue and Pylones.
Tignes, France. The French resort includes the world-class black run Sache. This is a very long and extremely steep piste that drops 1,200 metres and contains lots of moguls (small snow hills) to test you further.
Summer skiing
Tignes, France. The Grand Motte glacier at about 3,500 metres high provides 20 kilometres of slopes all through the summer. With mainly intermediate ‘blue’ and ‘red’ runs, you have to ski in the morning because when the sun hits the slopes in the afternoons, the snow melts.
Tuxertal, Austria. The Hintertux glacier is open for skiing every day of the year and offers between ten and 20 kilometres of runs. There’s a restaurant with panoramic views, too.
You can find cheap flights to all of these destinations with UKNetGuide.
