| Winter is when skiers start to think about booking | | | | opened in 1939 and has recently been given a $1 |
| their skiing holiday. In Europe there are hundreds of | | | | billion facelift. It is a compact ski resort lying in the |
| destinations to choose from. France, Switzerland and | | | | pretty Laurentian Mountains. The village has a |
| Austria all have very popular ski resorts, but if you | | | | distinctive French feel to it and it has a number of |
| are looking for a bargain then try Eastern Europe. | | | | cafes and bistros in cosy log cabins, as well as |
| Borovets in Bulgaria and the high Tatra mountains in | | | | boutiques and restaurants. The skiing is suitable for |
| Slovakia are attracting increasing numbers of skiers. A | | | | mixed groups and there is a good ski school. Another |
| survey by pricerunner.co.uk and travelex.co.uk | | | | plus for this resort is that it is just one hour from |
| revealed that not only are the Eastern European | | | | Montreal for those who would like to do some |
| resorts much cheaper than the popular destinations in | | | | sight-seeing along with their skiing. |
| the Alps, but they are also rated quite highly. Bansko | | | | Stowe: Located in Vermont, this is another American |
| in Bulgaria, Jasna in Slovakia, Zelezna Ruda in the | | | | resort famed for its picturesque setting. It has the |
| Czech Republic and Kranjska Gora in Slovenia all got a | | | | largest vertical drop in the area and is famous for its |
| mention. | | | | double-black diamond 'Four Front' trails, suitable for |
| If you are unsure which resort to pick, companies | | | | experienced skiers. However, it also offers trails |
| such as Forbes create a list of the top ski resorts in | | | | suitable for intermediate skiers and beginners. Away |
| the world. The list will contain many Western and | | | | from the ski slopes it has over 90 shops and 60 |
| European resorts primarily because of the quality of | | | | restaurants. |
| the snow and the village atmosphere. New England | | | | Chamonix Mont-Blanc: Situated in the French Alps, it |
| has snow, but it won't feature much on the list. This | | | | played host to the first Winter Olympic Games in |
| is because its snow tends to be icy, not powdery like | | | | 1924. It lies at the foot of Mont-Blanc, the highest |
| the snow in Europe which is better for skiing. | | | | peak in the Alps. It is renowned for its vertical drop |
| However, skiing holidays are about more than the | | | | of 9,209 feet and for having one of the world's |
| quality of the snow. | | | | longest runs, the Vallee Blance, at 13.7 miles. |
| Resorts such as Aspen are hugely popular and the | | | | Banff/Lake Louise: This ski resort in Alberta, Canada |
| slopes are crowded, meaning that you probably | | | | is located in the Banff National Park. It is one of the |
| spend more time waiting for the chair lift than on the | | | | most scenic mountain resorts in North America and |
| slopes. Another consideration is the après-ski | | | | has very reliable snow conditions. Covering 4,200 |
| scene. For some people this is the best part of the | | | | acres it offers tree-lined runs, smooth slopes and |
| holiday. There should be plenty of opportunities for | | | | plunging bowls, providing ideal skiing for everyone |
| dining, drinking and swapping stories in front of a log | | | | from the novice to the expert. |
| fire. It is also a good idea to choose somewhere that | | | | Vail: Another ski resort in Colorado, Vail claims to be |
| has activities other than skiing, just in case your legs | | | | America's favourite resort. With 5,300 acres of |
| need a rest from the slopes. Your accommodation is | | | | skiable terrain it has the largest ski area in the USA. |
| also important and should be comfortable with easy | | | | Vail also has a lot to offer besides skiing with art |
| access to the slopes. | | | | galleries, ballooning, dog sledding, museums, ice |
| Ski holidays can be expensive, but there are ways to | | | | skating, hockey and snowmobiling. |
| save money. When you book your holiday you | | | | Zermatt: Switzerland's top resort is a picturesque |
| should consider a package deal as these often work | | | | village and a car-free area at the foot of the |
| out cheaper. A single lift ticket can be very | | | | Matterhorn. It has the second biggest lift-served |
| expensive. Try booking at the last minute and stay in | | | | vertical drop in the world. Zermatt has large snowfalls |
| catered accommodation to save on eating out. Book | | | | and the longest skiing season in the Alps. |
| your ski pass and ski hire online and always pay in | | | | Kitzbuhel: The most famous resort in the Austrian |
| local currency. | | | | Tyrol. Skiing began here in 1892 and the 700-year old |
| Ski resorts that regularly make it into the top 10 lists | | | | village still retains its traditional charm. Kitzbuhel is |
| are: | | | | home to the Hahnenkahm the most dangerous and |
| Aspen: Located in the beautiful state of Colorado, | | | | famous of the downhill ski races and is Austria's |
| Aspen always features on the list of top ski resorts | | | | winter entertainment capital. It has excellent skiing |
| due to its excellent ski runs that are suitable for | | | | and snowboarding, but due to its low altitude snow |
| skiers of all abilities. It is also the place where you | | | | may be lacking on the lower slopes. |
| have the chance to ski with the rich and famous | | | | Whistler/Blackcomb: This resort in British Columbia |
| although the downside of this is that it is not cheap! | | | | provides the best skiing in North America with the |
| Cortina: Another top choice is this stylish Italian ski | | | | biggest vertical drop. It has 8,171 acres of skiable |
| resort which hosted the Olympic Games in 1956. | | | | terrain and has been voted North America's Favourite |
| Cortina was one of the world's first ski resorts. The | | | | Ski Resort by visitors. The village has cafes, spas, |
| Cortina Ski World is located in the Alps and is one of | | | | galleries, international stores and over 100 restaurants |
| the most scenic places in the world, with 120 | | | | that feature cuisines from around the world including |
| kilometres of ski trails and 52 lifts. | | | | French, Chinese, Italian, Mexican and more. |
| Mont-Tremblant: Canada's best known ski resort first | | | | |