Five Ski Resorts For Your Next Vacation
Whether it’s the first trip with the whole family or the latest adventure vacation, there’s nothing quite like planning a vacation devoted to skiing. With a renewed popularity and a growing interest by the young and hip in Europe, skiing looks like it’s not quite pushed out of the way by snowboarding as the choice way to spend time on the mountain.
There’s nothing dorky about the views from some of the best ski resorts around the world. Whether it’s a chance to stand atop a thousands of years old mountain range in Ethiopia or jumping out of helicopter onto the Italian slopes, skiers search the world over for the perfect powdery run.
For those who are in need of some suggestions, we’ve gone the world over and brought back five names. These are some of the best ski spots around the world that don’t get nearly as much play time as the other guys. Whether it’s close to the North Pole or a little bit closer to the South Pole, here are some of the greatest resorts to keep in mind the next time you’re getting cabin fever.
Hemsedal, Norway – Just a couple of hours away from Oslo by car is this incredible resort, with over 25 miles of runs and terrain of all types. Views of the Norwegian countryside are also worth the trip alone, though this is not skiing for the budget traveler. Most of the season, skiers can keep on the slopes until nine in the evening, thanks to a system of floodlights designed to illuminate all of the trails. There’s a snow park and a number of spots to relax one you’re off the mountain for the day, though a lot of the traffic is from Oslo.
Telluride, Colorado – One of the more remote ski resorts in Colorado, it’s not packed with those weekend skiers who clog the lifts and make wait times almost unbearable. Such is the charm of Telluride, with its four distinct bowl areas that provide skiing for all levels and ages. With over 92 runs, there’s no shortage of new options for even repeat visitors. The longest, Galloping Goose, clocks in at a respectable 7.4 kilometers. There is a pretty even distribution between beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, and the views of the Rockies are truly impressive from the mountaintop.
Apussuit, Greenland – For those who like it extreme, there’s nowhere quite like Greenland. Iceland’s next-door neighbor, the country is literally covered in snow and a whole lot closer to the North Pole than to anything else. Apussuit is a smaller ski resort that offers skiers views unlike any they’ve ever seen before, as well as over 300 meters of vertical descent. The closest city is Maitsoq, a mere 30 kilometers away, and the summit of the mountain is 1,100 meters.
Cerro Catedral, Argentina – Some of the most popular skiing in all of Argentina, Cerro Catedral might be crowded with locals, but tourists are still a little more few and far between. Located in some of the most beautiful mountains in the whole country, the resort is only a short distance from San Carlos de Bariloche, a picturesque town that wouldn’t look out of place on a Swiss mountainside. The resort itself is huge, with almost 40 lifts carrying skiers to over 1200 hectares of skiable land. With 25 blue runs, 15 red runs, and 10 black runs, the skiing is best suited for those who are advanced or intermediate skiers, though there are green runs and trails, too, as well as a terrain park for both skiers and snowboarders.
Snowshoe, West Virginia – For a quiet and peaceful ski vacation, there’s no better spot in the United States that you’ve likely never heard of than Snowshoe Mountain. A short drive from Morgantown, Snowshoe had its heyday in the 1970s and is still a hugely popular, cozy resort. With over 400 meters of vertical descent, Snowshoe is more than just a sleepy mountain. Trails for intermediate skiers and more advanced riders do exist, but for the most part, it’s a great place for beginners. There are additional facilities for snowboarders, as well as over 40 kilometers of cross-country trails. You can expect ideal conditions with knee-high powder about a month out of the season.
When Skiing Japan, Damian Papworth knows which Japan ski resorts are the best. He invariably stays at the Hooting Owl Lodge in Niseko Hirafu.
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