Step By Step Guide To Planning A Dream Ski Holiday

Winter presents a whole range of unique travelling opportunities. For many people, it means going on a ski holiday! If you want to go skiing this winter, follow my step by step planning guide:

Decide On When You Want To Go

Naturally, ski holidays are a winter thing. So, you won’t be booking a summer ski holiday! Your first decision will be to pick the best time for you to go. Some people choose to go skiing for Christmas; others pick February as the best time to go. It will depend on your schedule and the schedule of anyone you’re going with (unless you’re going alone). Most ski resorts will get very busy during the middle part of winter, so be aware of that. You may want it to be busy, you may want it to be quiet, it’s up to you! The important thing is to pick a time before you move on in the planning process.

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Pick The Perfect Location

Picking the location is key to planning your perfect ski holiday. You want to go somewhere where the slopes are sublime, and safety is a priority. If you’re looking for a European ski holiday, then the French resort of Meribel is a great choice. For years, families have been journeying here to enjoy the snow and ski throughout winter. You may not have heard of it, as it’s not as famous as some other French places, so look for some information about Meribel before you commit to it. Of course, this isn’t the only option for you, there are plenty of other ski resorts out there. Make sure you pick one that has positive reviews and you know will lead to a good time.

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Book Your Accommodation In Advance

As soon as you’ve picked where you want to go, you have to start looking at places to stay. All ski resorts will have a range of accommodation for you to pick from. There are different types of ski lodge that come in different styles. The trouble is, accommodation sells out very quickly. So, you have to make sure you’re booking it well in advance. If you’ve decided to go on an impulse ski holiday, don’t be surprised if you can’t find anywhere to stay. Book as soon as you can, it will make things a hell of a lot easier.

Get All Your Gear Sorted

The final thing you’ll do is get all the gear you need to bring. This means buying suitable clothing for a ski holiday. You’ll need to buy waterproof ski trousers and jackets. As well as some ski goggles, a helmet and ski gloves. I’d also recommend you get sunglasses too - I know this may sound weird but bear with me. If the sun is out, it can reflect off the snow and be a real pain if it then shines in your eyes, so sunglasses are important. Of course, you’ll need your ski poles and skis too, if you have any. If not, some ski resorts let you rent them during your stay. Although, it’s more comfortable using your own things.

Beautiful Ski Resorts in Northern Italy

Italy is a beautiful country with great alps and Dolomites along the northern area. It is also famous for its rich art, culture and historic architectural sites. Aside from that, Italy is also home to many beautiful ski resorts.

Below are few of the beautiful ski resorts you will find in northern Italy according to region. Marvel on their beauty and check out the many activities you can do there for yourself, with your family and friends too and make the best of your winter getaway!

Aosta Valley region

Aosta Valley in the northwestern part of Italy is the only region in Italy without any provinces. However it is also a very mountainous area that is why it is popular skiing destination in Italy come winter time.

Champoluc, Monte Rosa

Gran Paradiso

Piedmont region

The Piemonte (or Piedmont) region boasts plenty of northern Italy's famous ski resorts. It was home to the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics.

Via  Lattea

Ski Cervinia

Trentino region

Trentino is famous for its mountain ranges, Dolomites and the alps.

Folgaria-Fiorentini

Cavalese

Lombardy region

Lombardy is one of the northern regions of Italy and the capital is Milan, famous for a large number of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its border is the Swiss alps. 

Livigno 

Veneto region

It is the 8th largest region in Italy and is located in the northeastern part of the country and it's northernmost part also borders Austria.

Cortina d'Ampezzo

South Tyrol region

This region is located in the northernmost part of Italy.  It has a very snowy winter that can come as early as October until late of April. So, people who loves to ski or do winter activities can enjoy it longer than the rest of Italy.

Merano

Pusteria

(Photos not mine.)

Looking to Get Some Late Season Skiing In? Here Are The Top North American Destinations

If you are a seasoned skier who usually sticks to the slopes of Europe, why not look a little further afield this year? North America has a host of fantastic ski resorts and this article explores the top five.

Aspen

One of several resorts in Colorado, Aspen is one of the most famous ski destinations in the world and its name is synonymous with luxury and glamour. Comprising 478km of pistes, Aspen offers some of the finest skiing in North America, with pretty much guaranteed snow cover for much of the year. Despite its reputation as a hangout of the rich and famous, it is possible to ski in Aspen for no more than the cost of a ski trip to any other North American resort.

If you like to party as much as ski, Aspen is the choice for you, as there is a wealth of hotspots there, including Ajax Tavern and Jerome Hotel's J-Bar. To eat out in Aspen without breaking the bank, Su Casa and Boogie's Diner are both good places to head, with the latter being especially popular among families.

Whistler

Another very well-known resort, Whistler has had several years of excellent skiing. The British Columbia resort has a total of 316km of pistes and is excellent for both beginners and expert skiers, making it the perfect choice for a family skiing holiday.

As well as its skiing, Whistler is known for its cuisine. The resort has some of the best food of any ski destination and popular eateries include Ciao Thyme Bistro and Spitz Grill.

Mammoth

The Californian resort of Mammoth in the Sierra Nevada Mountains offers excellent skiing. European travellers can reach the town by taking a connecting flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Take a break from skiing by enjoying a snack at the Top of the Sierra Cafe, located at an altitude 3,600m and featuring truly spectacular views. Further down in the resort, Gomez's Mexican offers authentic Mexican food cooked to traditional family recipes.

Fernie

With 2,504km of pistes, Fernie has something for everyone. Located in British Columbia, the resort is a good choice for skiing families with its excellent snow record and huge range of slopes.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay, Wolf's Den is a three-star hotel that occupies one of the resort's original buildings. For the best food in Fernie, take a trip to Lizard Creek Lodge or Yamagoya sushi restaurant.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge, Colorado, offers great skiing and has been attracting skiers for over 50 years. A Victorian mining town, the resort is one of the prettiest in North America. Breckenridge is a particularly good destination for beginners and intermediates, although there are enough challenges for even experienced skiers. It is a great destination for parties of mixed ability.

The resort has a great atmosphere at night, with popular restaurants such as Hearthstone Casual Dining, which is housed in a converted brothel. For those on a budget, Fatty's offers fantastic pizzas at a reasonable price.

Skiing in itself is an expensive hobby to have. That is why getting the cheapest flights to your skiing destination is must. I would recommend comparing flights at cheapflights.com which will take do the work of checking airfare prices for you, nice hey!