Skiing
Love snow? Go eco
We all love the mountains and the snow - and the majority of us only have one precious week on the ‘white stuff,’ which we are keen to preserve. So, with global warming threatening our fun, how do you maximise your time on the mountain safe in the knowledge that you have done your bit not to destroy what you want to enjoy? The Animal Snowcamp might just have the answer.
How about a night in an igloo?
For something a little different on this year’s skiing holiday, why not spend a night in an igloo at the base of the Matterhorn, courtesy of the Switzerland Travel Centre? Highlights of these overnight stays – which can be combined with a skiing holiday in Zermatt – include snowshoeing, basking in an outdoor heated whirlpool and a cheese fondue supper.
Whistler's Peak 2 Peak gondola opens today
After months of construction and testing, Whistler Blackcomb's newest tourist attraction officially opens today, 12th December. The gondola which connects the sister mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb is a triumph of engineering, 4.4km long with an unsupported span of just over 3km and travelling at one point 436m above the ground. 28 cabins, carrying up to 2,000 people per hour each way, make the crossing.
Self-catering skiing in the Tirol
Austria is known for its excellent hotels and guest houses, but has an increasing number of contemporary and traditional, purpose built apartments and self-catering properties. Here’s a selection of the best.
The perfect solution for single skiers
Ski Freshtracks, the market leaders in adventure skiing, are offering the perfect solution for single skiers this season. Every Ski Freshtracks holiday is graded by skiing standard which means everyone on the holiday skis and socialises together – ideal for those wanting to hit the slopes, when friends otherwise engaged.
Snow falls on the Canadian Rockies
As the winter season gets underway, skiers and snowboarders are enjoying fresh snows in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. Banff’s Sunshine Village, renowned for its amazing natural snowfall, has received 22cm of the white stuff in the last two days, giving it a 94 cm base. All twelve of the resort’s lifts are open, giving access to 78 runs.
Hit the heights across Canada’s spectacular peeks
No matter where you travel in Canada you’ll discover record-breaking natural wonders, feats of engineering wizardry and marvels of man-made ingenuity. Explore Canada on a cross-country peak-to-peak tour that includes the world’s most extraordinary gondola, Canada’s highest mountain, its tallest tower and its most powerful tides.
Ski holidays on the up despite pound’s downward slope
Ski-mad Brits are refusing to sacrifice their winter holidays by turning their back on the recession and heading to the slopes. Even the falling pound, which means a lack of extra spending money, isn’t putting ski-crazy Britons off scouring the net for the best bargains to bring down the cost of their winter break.
Skint skiers forced to stay at home or take the budget option
New research from travel insurance company InsureandGo reveals that three out of four people (75%) who have been skiing or snowboarding before are going to stay at home this season, providing more evidence that the economic downturn is starting to hit people in the pocket.
Ski Club warns about risks of skiing without insurance
The Ski Club of Great Britain today warned skiers and snowboarders that they could face huge bills if they do not take out appropriate travel insurance with suitable cover for their snow sports holiday this season. On a poll on skiclub.co.uk, 34% of those questioned said their insurance only covered them for the basics or they were not covered at all.
Last minute winter breaks to Slovenia
Following recent heavy snowfall in Slovenia and with more forecast later this week, it’s a good time for anyone looking for a last-minute short winter break to visit the alpine region of this pristine central-European country, just two hours flying time away.
Ski bunnies head for the hills of Lancashire
There was a Friday feeling with a difference last week as Brits planned last-second trips to the best ski slopes in Europe - the slopes of Rochdale! As the north of England is coated in a thick layer of the white stuff, powder monkeys headed off to the Pennines clutching snowboards, skis and even kitchen trays.
Early snow in the French Alps
With the latest snowfall over the Alps, the wintersports season is off to a promising start in France with many of the major ski resorts opening early.
Snowy Nakiska set to open on Saturday
Nakiska, Calgary, is preparing to open to the public on Saturday, December 6th for the 2008/09 winter season. The ski resort, known as “Calgary’s Closest Mountain”, has been busy being in the spotlight this season as an ideal training site for a number of international ski teams. Nakiska has hosted hundreds of athletes since early November, and was named an official Alpine Canada Alpine National Training Centre earlier this fall.
Take a country break in Austria
Austria was recently hailed as one of the world's best destinations for sustainable tourism in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report. And the Austrian Institute for Sustainability hails the Naturidyll hotels as the pioneers of Europe with an “aristocratic” green sensibility.