Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to pull on those mittens, crank up the fireplace and invest in a quality pair of thermals, because…*drumroll*…winter has officially arrived! And it’s sure as hell back with a vengeance. If the Siberian-style November we’ve just had is anything to go by (it’s been the coldest in Britain for nearly two decades!), the next few months will be marked by an exponential rise in the cost of gas bills.
In other words, it will be cold. Very cold. And, while the temptation to hibernate may be strong, we’re all about thinking positive at HostelBookers. Hence the reason we’ve decided to man up, layer up and hit the ski deals in style. Believe us, with the vast range of crazy vertical drops on offer, the adrenalin alone is sure to keep you warm as toast.
Need some ideas on where to go for your winter snow adventure? We’ve put together a list of our Top 5 ski vacations in Europe to provide you with a little bit of icy inspiration!
Considered by many to be one of the best ski resorts in the world, Zermatt plays home to one of Switzerland’s most famous landmarks – the Matterhorn Mountain. Situated in Valais, the town combines a romantic old-world charm with breathtaking scenery, an authentic Swiss culture and cutting edge amenities designed to suit to all skiing levels. Just remember: leave your vehicles at home. This is a car-free resort, where visitors travel around only by horse-drawn sleigh or electric cart.
Where to Stay: Offering breathtaking views of the Matterhorn Mountain, Hotel Alfa is a favourite for budget-seeking backpackers. Situated right in the heart of Zermatt, this cosy family hotel offers private and dorm rooms from only €49.70 per night.
Skiing: The plethora of ski slopes at Zermatt is second to none, with options available for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. You’ll find all three of the primary skiing areas soaring to at least 3100m, offering excellent snow conditions and some great tracks into the village. For daredevils, the longest run is from Klein Matterhorn into town, clocking it at a whopping 3820m (and complete with the highest cable car in the world)!
Best for: A romantic ski adventure – old-school cottage charm at its best.
Nestling in the shadow of Europe’s highest mountain, Chamonix is arguably the best mountain skiing destination in France. Since it hosted the first winter Olympics in 1924, this town has been a favourite with skiers and snowboarders alike. Expect to find all range of jaw-dropping cliffs, tremendous slopes and highly technical courses alongside a range of beginner options…and an excess of quality French wine!
Where to Stay: A clear favourite for those travelling to the Chamonix area is Le Vert Hotel – a new concept in the Alps fusing comfortable, flexible and affordable accommodation with a friendly hotel team passionate about mountain skiing. Rooms are available from only €20 per night.
Skiing: Chamonix’s skiing extends over three areas. The central Brévent/Flégère offers exceptional south-facing slopes and powder skiing perfect for intermediates. For those more advanced, Grands Montets is renowned as one of the world’s most challenging ski areas, offering rugged terrain and high-altitude north-facing slopes. Finally, the sister resort of les Houches at the opposite end of the valley is a great choice for families and first-time skiers.
Best for: A challenge! Hip adventure skiing, long runs and reliable snow.
So much more than just a quaint ski village, Innsbruck is an entire cultural experience, complete with all range of attractions and events. Expect everything from snowboard parks to theatres, winter hiking, museums, ice skating rinks, horse-drawn sleigh rides and imperial palaces.
Where to Stay: A popular hotel located right near the city centre, Hotel Goldene Krone offers private rooms from only €35 per person per night. In winter, you can reach the 8 surrounding ski areas by a free ski shuttle bus starting from nearby the hotel.
Skiing: Having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and again in 1976, Innsbruck plays home to over 200 trails covering some 500 kilometers in distance. Perfect for first-timers, there are 26 high-quality beginner slopes in the area, all of which are marked in green and typically found at the bottom of the hill. There are also more than 30 intermediate trails available and, although challenging runs are limited, daredevils will love the incredible jumps and off-piste skiing of Stubai Glacier and Patscherkofel.
Best for: Beginner and intermediate skiers.
You would be hard pressed to find anything more charmingly Bavarian than Germany’s grand old dame of ski resorts, Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Despite the emergence of new winter rivals such as Oberstdorf and Garmisch, the spectacular scenery and inspirational sporting history of these twin towns is impossible to beat.
Where to Stay: Check out Hotel Bavaria for a charming family style accommodation right in the heart of the Bavarian Alps. Located just near Zugspitze mountain, the hotel offers private rooms from €20 per person per night.
Skiing: Garmisch-Partenkirchen is spread out beneath a giant horse-shoe of jagged peaks formed by the Wettersteingebrige and Ammergauer mountain ranges. The resort offers direct access to 43 individual pistes served by 38 ski lifts. You will find these spread around through over a dozen separate areas, all of which are available on the single ‘happy ski card’ pass. Head direct to Zugspitze for the loftiest heights in Germany, with trails up to 2600 metres and the country’s only glacier skiing.
Best for: Nature lovers! The scenery at Garmisch-Partenkirchen is nothing short of spectacular.
While not your typical Alpine ski resort, Bled is a favourite locale for families and friends seeking a relaxing winter break. It’s the perfect opportunity to combine some quality skiing experiences with a valley townside adventure, boutique shops, amenities and spectacular mountain scenery. While the main ski areas of Kobla and Vogel can be found about half an hour’s bus ride away, the well-maintained ski slope at Straza is just a few minutes walk from the city centre.
Where to Stay: A great choice for both couples and families, Apartments Sasha offers three one-bedroom apartments housing up to four people and coming complete with kitchen, private bathroom, WiFi, cable TV, a balcony and baby cot on request. Rooms start from €20 per person per night.
Skiing: Although Bled is not solely a winter sports resort, there are three primary areas available for skiing – Kobla, Vogel and Straza. The latter of these can be accessed by chairlift from Bled itself, although is only open in the evening and on weekends, offering just two slopes which are primarily used by the ski school. Kobla and Vogel, on the other hand, are larger intermediate areas located about 30 minutes drive from Bled city centre. Head here for some superb wide open runs, vertical highs of 1200m and a vast range of tracks for young beginner and intermediate skiers.
Best for: Family holidays! Bled is an ideal first-skiing launch platform, featuring 13 easy and 8 intermediate runs.
Thanks to dsearls, Martha de Jong -Lantink, yago1.com, drobnikm, Trig’s, anja_johnson and Luca Foppiano for the images off flickr.
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