Innsbruck is a special place to visit during the festive season says SUE FREEMAN who took full advantage of the shopping and skiing on offer
The Swarovski tree at the Christmas market in Innsbruck
TODAY we were ladies who lunch. Later we would be ladies who shopped in the Christmas markets. The next day we would be ladies who ski. Not a bad programme for a pre-season trip to the magical Tirolean city of Innsbruck, bound on all sides by snow-covered slopes looking very glittery and festive.
ACTION Outdoors has launched two new programs for anyone between the ages of 18 and 25 – that heavily discounts the cost of a normal all-inclusive ski holiday package across 10 different resorts in the French Alps and a Youth Program – specially designed for 16 and 17 year olds that can enjoy an autonomous trip away from home under supervision.
SERRE Chevalier, which lies in the largest ski area in the Southern French Alps, with 40 hectares of pistes set amidst larch forests, opens in December with three new attractions – writes Briony Key
The list of ‘other’ activities you can enjoy in a ski resort, other than skiing and snowboarding, seems to grow longer every year. Last season Skier & Snowboarder editor Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin witnessed two of the more unusual ones in Les 2 Alpes
by Skier & Snowboarder editor Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin
RESORTS have many different names for it – fresh tracks, first tracks, first lift, early birds – the list is fairly extensive. But what they all have in common is that getting up with the lark to hit the slopes while they are empty and untracked is really rather special.
PROMOTION
If you are looking for an airport transfer this season, Whiterides can help. The company offers a very competitive, friendly and professional transfer service.
With over 10 years’ experience in the industry and a huge return client base, Whiterides says you can rest assured you will be in safe hands on route to your ski holiday.
Morzine has something for everyone, from miles of tree-lined slopes for beginner and intermediate skiers to more technical for the advanced.
Alpine Elements has a wide selection of accommodation: From the Hotel Les Dents Blanches, a charming little hotel in a great location, to the Premium Plus Chalet Austin, a new luxury chalet with elegant interior, hot tub and incredible views. All their Christmas holidays include festive meals with all the trimmings!
No matter what you’re looking for from your next ski holiday Morzine ticks all the boxes, be sure to book early for the best price. For more info click here
The French resort of Les Gets provides excellent skiing in a traditional, friendly and welcoming environment.
Chalet 1066 manages 33 chalets and apartments, from economy to luxury, in the village which forms part of the massive Franco/Swiss Portes du Soleil ski area.
Ski Collection (023 9289 0960) is offering clients a buy one get one free deal on Tignes Val d’Isere lift passes when skiers book to stay in Tignes for the week commencing 8 Dec or 15 Dec 2018. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy some early season skiing in this vast ski area.
LES GETS, which forms part of the huge Franco Swiss Portes du Soleil ski area is a wonderful and traditional French ski resort and the village itself dates back to the 11th century.
It has won four awards for the world’s best family ski resort, is high enough for good snow, yet not too high for high winds and regular lift closures.
ARE you thinking about what to do for your Ski 2018/2019 holiday? Look no further! Lagrange Holidays provides self-catering accommodation in the Alps and Pyrenees.
As a French Ski specialist, we also arrange everything you need for your ski holiday including ski hire, lift passes, and lessons at your selected resorts.
IF you happened to be in Salzburg recently you may have been surprised to see me busking in one of the city squares!
Fortunately, this is not because I have fallen on hard times. I was actually in the city doing some filming for the Austrian National Tourist Board and one of the things they asked me to do was pretend to be a busker with a cap to collect the money out in front of me.
by Iain Martin
IF YOU are thinking about taking a late season ski break, then maybe it’s time to try somewhere different and head to the French Pyrenees.
With the resort open until April 22, Cauterets is the perfect solution if you are looking to get away from it all and enjoy some great spring skiing. There are many great reasons to choose this captivating resort, but let’s start with these five:
by Amy Borrett
THE RECENT Les Rencontres du 7ème Art Lausanne Film Festival First Edition attracted a host of Hollywood celebrities and shone a spotlight on the Crans-Montana ski area in Switzerland.
And there was more good news this week when it was announced the ongoing dispute which had led to the indefinite closure of the ski lifts had been resolved for the time being. Day tickets are now on sale at a vastly reduced price, and Crans-Montana’s slopes will now stay open until 17 April.
AS THE season in Cortina d’Ampezzo draws to a close, skiers and snowboarders can still make the most of the fresh snowfalls which have created fabulous spring skiing conditions.
Anyone making last minute bookings to the Queen of the Dolomites, which claims to be Italy’s most fashionable resort, will be well rewarded.
DID you know that virtually all the mountain restaurants in Val Gardena offer visitors waiter service?
Try a bit of speck mit glas on the slopes of Val Gardena.
The sight of skiers and snowboarders trying to find a table while balancing a tray of self-service food and drink is very rare in this Italian resort located in the heart of the Italian Dolomites and Christina Demetz, from the tourist office says: “It’s a remarkable feature of the Val Gardena slopes. All our wonderful mountain huts have table service, which we believe somehow reflects our philosophy of giving our guests the most relaxing and enjoyable experience possible.
by Rob Rees
If you still haven’t decided where to go to enjoy this bumper ski season, and you’ve just about recovered from ‘The Beast from the East’, Les Arcs is a perfect venue. The gorgeous boutique Chalet des Cascades above Les Arcs 2000 still has some spaces left, at cracking prices through Flexiski (www.flexiski.com).
ZELL AN SEE-KAPRUN: The refurbishment of Zell am See’s Areitbahn ropeway, which now includes free wifi, will help bring skiers and snowboarders to the Schmittenhöhe even faster thanks to a 50% increase in passenger capacity.
There were some amazing ski properties on show when NEIL ENGLISH visited the Utah resorts of Deer Valley and Park City, which now claims to be the biggest ski area in America. But one well-heeled owner of a slopeside mansion is now having to eat a slice of humble pie…
FOUR Pyrenean ski resorts have combined to create a new ski area – the Pyrenees 2 Vallées.
PHOTO: Peyragudes
Saint-Lary, Peyragudes, Piau-Engaly and Val Louron will be linked by shuttle bus and between them offer 247 km of skiable terrain with 166 pistes and 66 lifts.