INEEDSNOW NEWSLETTER
APRES SKI HOLIDAYS
Austria is the undisputed king of après ski with Solden # 1. Ischgl, St Anton and Mayrhofen are close behind. In France go for Val d'Isere or Meribel, whilst Pas de la Casa and Whistler can guarantee that you'll never see the queue for the first gondola. Prices vary widely - Austria and Andorra offering good value, France not.
FAMILY SKI HOLIDAYS
La Tania in The 3 Valleys offers one of the best family ski holiday resorts in the Alps. The kids ski area is at the centre of the resort and the runs above La Tania are gentle. Serfaus in Austria offers great kids programs and a family friendly resort with underground resort railway and numerous family hotels.
LUXURY SKI HOLIDAYS
Many ski holiday resorts in the Alps and North America offer superb quality in dramatic locations. Zermatt in Switzerland offers some of the best quality to be found in the Alps, whilst Lech in Alrberg is hard to beat in Austria. Aspen in the US is where the rich famous hang out, whilst Courchevel 1850 in France attracts the same crowd.
SECRET SPOTS: BRAGGING RIGHTS
There is nothing better than having one up on a skiing or snowboarding acquaintance. Resorts that let you brag are Stuben in the Austrian Arlberg, which accesses the St Anton ski area and has above it the best off-piste in Austria. Sainte Foy is the place to head when it snows in Val d'Isere. Serfaus is set to be one of the super resorts in Austria.
SPRING AND GLACIER SKIING
High altitude spring skiing in Switzerland and France is wonderful, with long days and corn snow. The early Easter in 2008 will ensure that slopes will be far less crowded and snow as good as ever into April. Austria has superb glacier skiing in Zell am See / Kaprun, Solden and outside of Innsbruck. Obergurgl also has excellent spring skiing on offer.
WHISTLER BC, VIDEO
Whistler-Blackcomb in the far west of Canada has some of the best snowfall accumulation in North America. This short snowboarding video shows the very best conditions in Whistler-Blackcomb.
SKI AND SPA HOLIDAYS
Many Alpine resorts are becoming year round holiday destinations with the development of spa and wellness facilities. Switzerland and Austria lead the way in Europe with many hotels offering superb spa facilities. The Aquadome close to Solden, Austria offers superb spa facilities for guests and non-guests alike. Gaze onto the local glaciers from the steaming outdoor pools.
