The world’s sexiest ski destinations

Sex in the snow replaces sex in the city as Canada’s Banff outperforms searches to other sexy ski destinations by more than 50 per cent. As the credit crunch bites harder than ever, Cheapflights.co.uk, the UK’s leading flight price comparison website, figures out what’s hot for budget skiing with a little sexy appeal this winter.

Searches for September show Canada up as the sexiest destination for the approaching ski season. What makes it sexy? Not only does the long haul bring more bang for your buck, but Banff, set within the majesty of the Canadian Rockies, boasts 120 million year old mountains, 1,000 glaciers and snowfalls of 33.6cm in November, rising to 43.9cm in December.*

Skiers can get to Banff from Calgary airport via the Banff Airporter shuttle service. Flights to Calgary start from £459 return.

Although long haul has come out on top, Europe is still highly popular but it’s out with the old and in with the new which comprises alternative ski destinations like Slovakia’s Tatra Mountains. What makes them sexy? Not only has their beauty been compared with that of fairytales, but their slopes offer a wide range of snow activity including the romantic option of night skiing as well as ice caves and hot springs – a sensual après ski alternative to hot chocolate.**

Slovakia’s mountain ranges also make it ideal for skiers of all levels and as it’s still new on the scene, prices are easier on the wallet starting from just £197 return.

If you’re headed to a sexy destination, you’ll require a sexy ski outfit. Thankfully, Cheapflights.co.uk has also researched the latest fashions to hit the slopes this season. The current catwalk trend towards brights has carried over onto the snow with colours such as neon yellows, oranges, greens and blues making their debut on the piste. And although cat-suits are proving popular off-piste, they’re no longer popular on it, so leave those one pieces at home and go shopping for some top and bottom halves to mix and match.

In keeping with the European trend is Zermatt in Switzerland, the rising star of the Swiss Alps. Established in the Middle Ages, it maintains the historic charm of being a car free zone buzzing instead with the sound of horse drawn carriages, electric taxis and ski buses. It also boasts one of country’s best networks of cable cars, gondolas and cog railways lifting skiers to altitudes of over 12,000ft. But for all its old world appeal, Zermatt is not to be dismissed as peaceful as it also offers a raucous nightlife and some of the world’s most exquisite mountain restaurants.

Getting there is a four hour train journey from Geneva airport with flights starting at just £90. To learn more about the magic of Zermatt, visit cheapflights.co.uk/flight-guide-to-Zermatt/.

Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights.co.uk offers some snowy safety tips: “Despite the economic crisis, travellers haven’t given up on holiday plans and with ski season approaching, searches to budget ski destinations are proving popular among our viewers. So if you’re one of the many looking to trade the credit crunch for some white stuff, just make sure to keep safe. Check your equipment is in good condition, dress in water and wind resistant layers, wear a helmet and good ski goggles, and apply sun cream generously.”

The final stop on the sexy ski list is Niseko, in Japan. The extinct volcanoes on Japan’s Hokkaido Island are a long haul favourite. When it comes to snow, the dry powdery kind is best for ski and Hokkaido has mounds of it with a current snow depth estimated at a whopping 125cm.***

For those wanting to mix romance with adventure, Niseko offers night skiing and snowboarding by moonlight followed by a bustling night life full of bars and restaurants. Skiers can hit the slopes of Niseko by flying into Sapporo, which offers train and bus transfers to the destination.

For more information on ski airports, ski destinations and even which airlines allow skis on board, visit Cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/skiing-airports/.

* banff.com
** travelbite.co.uk
*** skijapan.com