Winter Sports

Quebec’s unique Ice Hotel celebrates 10th anniversary

North America’s only Ice Hotel celebrates its 10th anniversary this winter. Rebuilt every year, and made up of hundreds of tonnes of snow and ice, it provides an intriguing, unique and unforgettable experience.

Québec – The perfect ski destination for winter

The province of Québec has really put itself on the winter sports map in the last few years, with a wealth of new developments and very easy access - less than a 7 hour flight from the UK.

Graham Bell’s guide to ski kit – what you’ll need this season

For those people lucky enough to be hitting the slopes this season, booking your ski holiday is just the start of the adventure. Before you even touch any snow there will be much agonising over what kit you should be taking.

The greener route to the white stuff

For skiers keen to minimise the impact on the environment of their journey to the slopes, coach travel accounts for the lowest CO2 emissions of any mode of motorised transport.

Geilo - the best place to introduce ‘reluctant’ partners and kids to skiing

According to specialist ski tour operator, Alpine Tracks, Norway’s oldest ski resort, Geilo – with its wide open slopes, modern chair lifts and friendly, English-speaking instructors - is one of the best places in the world to learn to ski.

Marmot Basin reports best November conditions on record

Once in a while, the stars align and the heavens open up and you are in the right place at the right time. Right now those days are at Marmot Basin in the Canadian Rockies. The ski hill has received a stunning 60 centimeters, two feet, of powder over the past 48 hours and 85 centimeters in the last seven days and it is still snowing.

Posh to get a taste of the Austrian Tirol

On Thursday 3rd December, Victoria Beckham will be in attendance at one the greatest clubs in the Alps, Pacha in the Designhotel Madlein, Ischgl, for the launch of the first designer bottles of RICH Prosecco and RICH Rosé. The top ski resort of Ischgl in the Austrian Tirol will welcome the style icon, fashion designer and former Spice Girl, for a specially themed ‘Music and Fashion Fairytale’ evening.

Christmas sales start early in the Austrian Tirol

If you want to escape the commercialism that surrounds Christmas in the UK, then head to the Austrian Tirol. Known to locals as ‘Die Stille Zeit’ (the quiet time), you won’t find garish gifts, tacky Christmas lights boosting energy board profits or have to endure cheesy Christmas tracks on repeat every time you enter a shop.

Luxury skiing in Geilo, Norway

Ski specialist, Alpine Tracks, has further expanded its Norway programme by introducing the Havsdalsgrenda ski complex in Geilo. The complex consists of luxury chalets and apartments right on the resort’s ski slopes for ski in, ski out and easy access to the Geilo and Hardangervidda slopes.

Where to go to learn to ski, snowboard or cross-country ski

Tired of listening to family and friends bleat on about how fantastic skiing and snowboarding is? Why not make 2009-10 the season to give it a go and see for yourself what you are missing out on. Still finding excuses? The Tirol Tourist Board has looked at some of the most common excuses and come up with some top reasons to disagree and help change your mind.

Ryanair launches ‘skis fly free’ promotion

Ryanair has announced that the first 10,000 passengers to book a ski flight before midnight Wednesday 11th (24:00hrs) can bring their skis for free – saving up to £80/€80 each.

Take a multi-activity trip this winter and do more for less

Travellers are realising that snow is good for a lot more than just skiing, according to The Adventure Company. The adventure tour operator has seen its winter multi-activity trips rise in popularity this season as travellers look for more varied and unusual ways to embrace the European winter.