Skiing is one of the most accessible of the winter sports – outside of the good old-fashioned casual, back-garden pursuits of tobogganing and snowball fighting, of course. Learning to ski is a great leveller, and having that knowledge behind you unlocks a whole world of new adventure-holidaymaking potential. Which is exactly what we’re about to explore.
Whether you’re going on your first skiing holiday or your next skiing holiday, you might do well to gin up on some of the best ski destinations on the planet. There’s something for everyone in each of the following listings, but which will speak to you the most?
1. The Majestic Alps: Austria and France
We’ll start with perhaps the most obvious ski destination on the planet – but which should not be overlooked for its popularity, by any means. We’re talking, of course, about the Alps! The Alps sprawl across Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy and Germany (amongst others, of course), and provide a stunning array of steep slopes and killer views in each.
For relaxing ski holidays Austria is a must-visit, being home to some of the most iconic and recognisable chalets in the Western world. Innsbruck and Soelden each have their own quiet charms, and must be seen to be believed. France, though, is the place to go for chic skiing experiences – typified, largely, by the Chamonix resort.
2. The Underrated Charm of Eastern Europe: Bulgaria and Romania
If you’re willing to explore beyond the undoubted majesty of the Alps, though, you’ll find some hidden gems a little farther to the East. Bulgaria and Romania are each unsung in their ski-holiday brilliance. In Bulgaria, you’ll find some absurdly cheap opportunities to hit the slopes in Bansko – but no drop in the quality of your experience for said cheapness.
Likewise, Poiana Brasov in Romania is an excellent choice for a memorable ski trip that doesn’t cost the earth. The added benefit of heading to either destination is that you won’t be fighting the crowds for your own slice of slope. Quiet; underrated: brilliant.
3. The Canadian Rockies: Banff and Whistler
From one continent to another, we now head West (and a bit north) to Canada, a country worth visiting for a great many different adventure-sporting pursuits but especially so for its skiing potential. Canada is a huge country with some stable year-round snow, at least if you know where to look.
Canada’s mountain range is the Rockies, which can be accessed for skiing in a number of places – the best of which are Banff and Whistler. Banff is your gateway to skiing the sublime Mt Cascade and Snow Peak; meanwhile Whistler, just north of Vancouver, is your near-coastal route to shedding your way down the likes of Mt Currie and Wedge Mountain.
4. Sustainable Skiing: Resorts Leading the Way
With a growing focus on sustainability, some ski resorts are making concerted efforts to reduce their environmental impact. Laax in Switzerland is one such resort, which today sources 100% of its energy from Swiss-derived renewable sources. Jackson Hole in the USA is another such destination which has made sustainability a core part of its operations, running its infrastructure almost exclusively on wind energy.
