More and more countries are entering the skiing market over the past 10 years. Eastern Europe in particular has seen a flurry of new resorts open. This is great news for skiers as choice widens and costs are often forced down. But for the ski purist whose sole ambition is to scope out and ski the best runs the world has to offer, what are some top tips for this ski season?
In Europe, the resorts of St Anton and Ishgl in Austria never disappoint. Whilst St Anton has some great slopes for more experienced skiers as well as a great nightlife, Ishgl is a wonderfully charming and beautiful location, which will entice you both on and off the slopes. But, perhaps topping both of these locations is the fantastic resort of Saalbach, which boasts some really impressive skiing opportunities. Tear up the slopes for a week and still discover new places with the impressive 200km of beautiful piste, which is all covered by 55 cable cars and lifts. You can have a chill out at lunchtime and sit down to some delicious goulash at one of the 40 huts open every day, and there are even 3 snow parks to enjoy now too. If you’ve still never visited Saalbach, then why not this season?
Canada is home to the brilliant resort of Whistler, located in a beautiful town, home to the Winter Olympics – and also some fantastic skiing. The resort is open eight months out of the year, and boasts some of the best snow coverage in the world. Every level of skier can feel at home here, with terrains and slopes to suit everyone from beginners to experts. There’s a completely different atmosphere here than in many European resorts – this location is buzzing and lively, and we’re sure you’ll have as much fun off the slopes as on.
Many of us are a little more budget conscious right now, so it’s wise to look at some best value-for-money options too when considering the top ski resorts. Here are our top three choices for resorts that offer great value:
Coming in first place is the Bulgarian resort of Bansko. This country is very cheap for accommodation and eating out, and this is where you’ll make the biggest savings. Ellmau comes in second place – a beautiful resort in Austria, it is surprisingly reasonably priced, bucking the trend of expensive Austrian resorts. It’s a perfect location for beginners and families because it’s so quiet and peaceful, and the village itself is beautiful too – the perfect location to relax at the end of a day on the slopes and enjoy some delicious food. Third on the list is the classic affordable skiing resort – Soldeu in Andorra. Soldeu is one of Andorra’s most famous resorts and has been popular for over twenty years with skiers of all abilities, who are keen to keep costs low.