Winter Wonderlands

Ski season is in swing, the snowflakes have already begun to fall, lifts are buzzing away, endless cups of hot chocolate are being poured and a world full of snowmen are slowly evolving! Grab your gear and head into the mountains for some winter wonderland fun. Check out some of these awsome areas;

In USA and Canada...

Colorado Rocky Mountains offer fine ski resorts and is generally considered the best place to play in the snow in the USA. Famous for beautiful mountain scenery, excellent slopes and fantastic snow conditions for beginners, those who consider themselves pro’s and those of you who are pro’s. But the fun does not stop in the snow, the town’s and villages are well equipped with nightclubs and entertainment to carry on late into the night. The ski resorts are located in the Rocky Mountains, west of Denver and easily accessed by group tours, shuttle bus or rental cars. Situated at 7,000 feet (2.100meters) this is high altitude skiing so be aware of altitude sickness including difficult breathing, dizziness and headaches. The Rocky’s receive about 300 to 400 inches (750 to 1000 cm) of snowfall each season leaving the slopes covered in a fine white powder. Vail and Aspen are the best known resort areas, and visted mainly by the rich, famous and all that riff raff. So beware this also means high prices and crowds of tourists. Aspen’s 2 legendary mountains, Snowmass and Ajax, open each year with grand celebrations around mid-November while the other 2 sport mountains, Buttermilk and Highlands, open later around mid-December. Most all mountains have levels for beginners, intermediate, difficult and expert insuring the most fun is attained by everyone. You can choose between skiing or snowboarding and ski schools are run throughout the season. For an unforgettable stay book online today: St. Moritz Lodge & Condominiums in Aspen or Snowbird in the Trees in Silverthorne. Ski-lift passes, lessons, equipment, maps, advice and guides can all be arranged through Aspen’s web site

Whistler and Blackcomb are located in British Columbia, Canada and a haven for snowboarders and skiers alike! Home to almost 10,000 residents and 2 unbelievable mountains side by side presenting over 7,000 acres of skiable terrain. The mountains offer something for all people of all levels and not just on ski’s. Blackcomb opens from November 22 to April 25, while Whistler is open from November 27 to June 6, ensuring enough time for all to get into gear and head out. These areas offer a variety of slopes to suit every taste or need from steeps to glades, gentle rollers, high alpine bowls and long cruisers. Parks and pipe areas are also abundant, plus the Worldcup Superpipe, natural launch pads and ridges. So, You have yourself one huge natural extreme terrain park till play in for hours! Village life is slow paced and will fill endless hours shopping, eating at restaurants, booging to nightclub tunes or joining in indoor activities. You can also try your hand at cross-country skiing, dog sledding, Heli-Skiing/boarding, Ice Hockey tours, Snowshoeing, Snowmobiling, Snowcat Skiing/boarding plus who can forget taking the time to build a snowman!

In Europe....

Although Solden, Austria was once noted as a middle sized ski resort, the years have seen it’s reputation and area grow. Solden is nestled in the Tyrol region at an altitude of 1,377 meters right in the middle of 256 mountaintops with amazing panoramic views. It hosts 36 lifts, hotels, apartments, farms, restaurants, bars, clubs and cinemas for your enjoyment and relaxation. The slopes open around October with ski races and new equipment try-outs, along with festivities. There are over 100km of trails, with the majority appealing to intermediate standards although there are a number of great possibilities for beginners and racers. Summer skiing is a unique activity also available on the two glaciers high above Solden. Other activities include cross-country skiing, snow touring, snow hiking, night skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, sleigh riding, and the typical Austrian ice-stick-shooting are also well worth enjoying. The main thing that Solden is known for is the après-skiaction. Cafes and bars are packed, clubs swarming with over 200 people dancing in snow boots which carries on till the early hours of the morning. So people looking for a calm atmosphere, you will not find it here.

The Swiss Alps provoke grand images of skiing at it’s finest and Grindelwald (not to be mistaken with Griswald, although similar) nestled beneath the mighty Eiger is a lively place with a relaxed atmosphere – one of the few places known to meet your expectations. 1036 – 2983 meters of Grindelwald mountain bekons skiers and snowboarders back year after year offering huge terrain, well linked lift access to Wengen and Murren resorts and an exceptional place from which to explore the whole Jungfrau region. Situated 90 miles southwest of Zurich directy in the middle of the Swiss Alps, Grindelwald has 100 years history of skiing in the towns region and usually receives on average of 209 in. of snowfall a year. It’s major advantage is the ability to ski in and out of your hotel onto the tracks. 45 lifts are at your disposal, over 127 miles of marked runs from beginers to pro’s, ski schools give lessons Monday to Friday and private tuition is also bookable in advance (just cross your fingers it’s the spunky one). They host a modern sports center with swimming pools, ice rinks, curling, climbing, gym and games for some indoor fun. Tobogganing, bobsledding, ice climbing, winter mountaineering, cross-country skiing, snowshoe hiking and horse drawn sleigh rides are bound to get your heart racing. There are also over 80 kilometers of winter hiking trails surrounding the town. The cosmopolitan Grindelwald is full of après ski activities, many can be organised for you by the local tourist office or mountaneering center. Excellent mix of hotels, casual and gourmet restaurants, and numerous late night areas. The confusion seems it to be off the slopes. Soloist and young travellers will find great skiing and evening action while visiting.

The Symphony of the Dolomites, Italy offer the perfect mix of spectacular scenery, long runs, modern lifts and great Italian cuisine. Val Gardena is located to the NE of Bolzano above the valley is Alpe di Siusi, a bright plateau with excellent ski schools, well-equipped resorts with lifts up to the heights of the plateau. Ortisei (or St. Ulrich) is the largest town in the valley (which is decorated with castles), chapels and some interesting museums. Woodcarving is a speciality of the area; if you’re tired of snow you can buy souvenirs or visit workships and exhibitions. Val Gardena is a member of the Leading Mountain Resorts of the world, an international network of the most select mountain holiday experiences. Val Gardena offers fantastic ski services, ski and snowboard schools galore, guided excursions, special trekking outings and disco skating. The tracks are varied offering grand views, short ascents, downhill runs through demanding terrain, narrow gullies and street gaps. Ortisei mountain’s altitude stands around 1.236m, while S.Cristina’s is 1.428m and Selva Gardena is a whopping 1.563m. Ski mountaineering in the Dolomites is something very special and particular. The choice of routes is varied, and offers a combination of sweeping views, short ascents, downhill runs, narrow gullies and steep gaps. Dolomites also holds many festivals over the winter season such as;

 29/12, Ski and Snowboard Festival;
 01/01, New Years Torchlight descent and fireworks;
 12/01 to 16/01, Ice Sculpture Competition;
 04/03, Horse drawn sleigh procession with local costumes;
 28/03, Gardenissima.

Gardenissima will take place on 28.03.2004. It is the longest giant slalom in the Dolomites (6 km), from the top of Seceda until the valley station of the Col Raiser. Everyone can participate and there are beautiful prizes to be won!

If you have experienced a ski or snowboard trip worth mentioning, let us know in ’Tell us your opinion’and we will post it up.