Ski and Snow Adventures
By National Travel
Once upon a time, there was a magic kingdom. It was all white. The sun shone down creating patterns of sparkling diamonds dancing across the snow. There was silence except for the trickling of ice melting, the tinkling of sleigh bells, the swish of skis, yodelling from distant mountains.
If you’re a snow seeker, you can probably reflect on the exact moment you fell in love with the white stuff. Whether you’re a powder hound, snow shoer, cross country skier, extreme adventurer or sit in front of the fire with a hot chocolate type there’s plenty of ways to create your own fairy tale and live happily ever after.
From sleeping in a glass igloo in Lapland, to a ski safari in Canada where you build your own snow cave, indulging in a ‘fire and ice’ experience (swim in the morning, ski in the arvo) in Cyprus, extreme heli-skiing in Alaska, riding donkeys between ski runs in runs in Morocco, year around skiing in Chile, uncrowded slopes in Russia, living the dream in Switzerland or Austria, winter wonderlands are everywhere. And if that’s not enough to throw on the winter woollies, how about a reindeer safari, snow cat skiing, ice climbing, winter zip-lining, skijoring (think water skiing on cross-country skis with dogs), snow biking, air-boarding or simply being pampered in an ice hotel. Nirvana!
France: Hot Chocolate crepe at the end of the ski run at Courchevel 1850
Carve a path across the world's largest ski field with your family and friends. From Courchevel 1850, you can ski anywhere in France's Les Troi Vallées, no matter your skill level. Multilingual instructors can guide you down the slopes an over the mountain. After skirting the mountain for a day, race your family and friends down to the lodge for a hot crepe and a seat by the fire. Or, continue on to nearby gastronomic Lyon, unmissable
Canada: Ice skating at Sun Peaks Village
Ice skate among an alpine forest at the Sun Peaks Village ice skating rink. It's a key note to the the alpine town atmosphere of Sun Peaks Village that fits adventure-seekers and families alike. With beautiful mountain scenery all around, relaxed dining and shopping options in abundance, and plenty of options for taking it easy on a mountain, ice skating is really only the start.
Canada: Sledding at Lake Louise
Let a team of happy, hard-working huskies lead you through snow-dusted evergreen scenery. As your guide shouts, “Mush!” and your dogs scamper ahead with infectious excitement, feel fresh air awaken your senses and enliven the Canadian Rocky Mountains that fly past you. Discover Lake Louise vistas that are otherwise unreachable and undisturbed, save for paw trails, husky howls and the jingle of their collars. You will remember the scenery as much as you remember each one of the dogs’ names.
France: Ski the largest ski area in Europe
France's Les Trois Vallées - "The Three Valleys" - has been the world's largest interlinked ski area since 1973, though now it consists of four valleys. Resort villages dot the valleys at different altitudes, their cabin rooftops blanketed in snow, with different panoramic vistas of the rugged, white valleys.