| Each year more and more of us seek that uniquely | | | | of a rich quality. |
| pleasurable feeling that comes with a holiday in one | | | | * Kitzbulhel, Austria |
| of Europe’s leading ski resorts. However, | | | | People have been skiing in the scenic resort of |
| probably unlike the case in North America, a large | | | | Kitzebulhel since 1892, making this one of |
| emphasis of having a skiing holiday in Europe is placed | | | | Europe’s oldest skiing towns. Although this resort |
| on the social, as well as sporting, facilities that the | | | | is neither particularly lively, nor particularly popular |
| resort has. What’s more, with ever increasing | | | | among the trendier younger age groups, the |
| numbers of us now having the means to enjoy both | | | | “Pearl of the Alps” (as it is affectionately |
| a winter and summer break, booking your winter | | | | known) is a popular choice among the more serious |
| skiing holiday early has become even more pressing. | | | | skier and those looking for a holiday combination of |
| The following are 5 skiing resorts in Europe | | | | serious scenic sightseeing and gentle skiing. Kitzbulhel |
| considered to be among the best in the world – | | | | would also be a good choice skiing resort for the |
| and are widely regarded as being the best in Europe: | | | | first-time skier looking to take things at a little more |
| * Chamonix Mount-Blanc, France | | | | leisurely pace. |
| Located at the foot of Europe’s tallest mountain | | | | * St. Moritz, Switzerland |
| (Mount-Blanc at a height of 15,771ft), Chamonix ranks | | | | Mention to anyone that you are considering going on |
| a common mention in any list of the “world’s | | | | a skiing holiday in Europe and the name St. Mortiz is |
| most elite skiing resorts” -especially among the | | | | going to crop up. Home to the Winter Olympics of |
| French. As the home of the first ever Winter | | | | 1928 and 1948, St. Moritz has been the European ski |
| Olympics, in 1924, there has to be a lot said about | | | | resort of choice almost since its first visitors (two |
| this fantastic resort: and the resort lives up to its | | | | Englishmen) ventured there in 1864. Today the resort |
| name by having both the longest vertical drop (9209 | | | | is equally famous for its Cresta Run and the array of |
| ft) and the world’s longest ski-runs (13.7 miles). | | | | 5-star hotels located here. For the more adventurous |
| Chamonix is certainly a good choice resort for the | | | | of you, the frozen lake in St. Moritz doubles up as a |
| serious snow freak and the well-heeled. Which is not | | | | golf course during the winter! |
| to say that you cannot go and enjoy the ski-run and | | | | * Zermatt, Switzerland |
| stay in nearby cheaper accommodation and watch | | | | What can be said about Zermatt that has not |
| from afar as the rich and famous go about their | | | | already been said! Probably one of the world’s |
| business in the many boutiques located here. Certainly | | | | most famous ski resorts, Zermatt is actually an |
| a place for people watching! | | | | extremely peaceful ski resort to visit. In part, the |
| * Cortina, Italy | | | | reason for Zermatt’s relaxed and peaceful |
| One of the world’s first purpose built ski resorts, | | | | atmosphere has to do with the fact that automobiles |
| Cortina is where the 1956 Winter Olympic Games | | | | are not allowed in the ski resort. However, the fact |
| were held. Although this may lead you to think that | | | | that most visitors to Zermatt elect to stay at the |
| Cortina is now an outdated resort, in fact nothing | | | | more popular nearby skiing resorts of St. Mortiz or |
| could be further from the truth. Like many other ski | | | | Gstaad, and come over to Zermatt for a day visit, |
| resorts in the Alps, the resort centres around a | | | | also plays a large part in this. Certainly an ideal skiing |
| pedestrian street with lots of shopping arcades, | | | | resort to come to if you have a young family as |
| restaurants and other pleasure activities. For the | | | | there are, in the surrounding areas, activities other |
| serious skier among you, this resort has a number of | | | | than skiing. It would also make a good location for a |
| ski runs, ranging from the basic to the professional, | | | | quick romantic skiing break. |