G’day to the ski season
Is it that time of year already? As many of us are at home considering the best way to keep warm, a substantial proportion of the population are actively chasing the cold, planning a trip to the slopes, where it’s a case of the more snow the better the skiing.
At the moment skiers should look towards the Alps or the American Rockies for early snow, however the current cold weather has allowed other resorts to get busy making their own snow, so they will be ready for the start of the season mid December.
The tried and tested French resorts such as Courchevel and Val d’Isère still pull the big crowds, even though they may not offer as much value for money, as former Eastern Bloc resorts such as Bulgaria. Although the mountains of Borovets or Bansko offer a cheap alternative to the Alps, many people are put off by the limited facilities, preferring to enjoy both the slopes and the après ski in surrounding that offer a little more sophistication.
However, France isn’t the only option when looking for a little more glamour, there is always Austria, the USA such as Aspen (Colorado) which this month plays host to the Women’s World Cup events and this season also celebrates the opening of the much anticipated Viceroy Snowmass Resorts, an upmarket ski-in – ski-out resort with just about every amenity imaginable.
Alternatively if you’re willing to travel across the Atlantic to America, then what’s a few more hours flying between friends. Why not consider Australia as a ski destination for sun and snow ‘down under’.
Aussie ski resorts are concentrated in the southern States of New South Wales and Victoria and are the only place on earth where you will see Eucalyptus trees lining your ski route. It’s also a little known fact that Australia has produced some very successful ski and snow boarders including 1969 World Cup Champion Malcolm Milne and several Olympic medallists.
It’s difficult to believe that just six hours from Sydney, Kosciusko National Park encompasses an enormous area with three of the best ski resorts in the area. Charlotte Pass the oldest and most family friendly of the resorts, Thredbo a charming old ski village with numerous mountainside ski-in – ski-out restaurants (eleven at the last count!) and Perisher Blue which is the largest resort in the antipodes. Perisher, as it’s known by the locals, has over fifty lifts and 1500 hectares of exciting skiing terrain.
Alternatively heading down Melbourne way there are Mountain Baw, Baw, Stirling and the famous Mnt. Buller with a charming village, ski clubs, cute ski-in- ski-out chalets and a ski academy. With 25 lifts, a good mix of terrains set over 260 hectares and a lively social scene the resort really come into its own on the weekends. Plus it’s only three hours drive from Melbourne city centre. http://www.onthesnow.co.uk/australia/region_guide
Remember! When you have booked your ski trip don’t leave home without Staysure’s winter sports insurance which covers all the usual benefits of travel insurance plus additional cover for ski and snowboarding including piste closure, off-piste (in authorised areas), loss of equipment and much more. If you think you may holiday more than twice within the same year, it may be worth considering Staysure annual multi-trip policy that will cover all your travel on one policy including 17 winter sports cover for no extra cost up to age 65.
