Five Super Ski Destinations for 2007/2008 Season:
The 2007/2008 ski season is nearly upon us once again, with Europe’s ski resorts lining up a flurry of snowy fun and frolics. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or Bambi-legged beginner, you’ll have no excuse not to book your ski holiday car hire with Argus Car Hire. With locations all around Europe’s top ski resorts and incredibly low prices, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect winter getaway car!
1. Chamonix (France)
Where:
The French ski resort of Chamonix has been a popular destination with skiers and winter sport thrill-seekers for over 200 years. The picturesque Chamonix Valley, known as the ‘cradle of mountaineering’ sits snugly among some of the highest peaks of the Alps including the jaw-dropping Mont Blanc Massif. The pretty valley borders three countries. Italy can be reached within 25 minutes through the Mont Blanc tunnel, while a half hour hire car drive via the Col des Montets pass will take you to Switzerland.
Suitable for:
Almost half of the region’s 145 ski trails are marked ‘beginners’ meaning Chamonix is well suited to children and beginners. The best trails for these groups are to be found at La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Le Savoy and les Planards. Meanwhile, expert skiers get their kicks off-trail and at Les Grands Montets. Chamonix is particularly suited to advanced snowboarders who relish the thrill of the Argentiére and Grand Montets.
Aprés Ski:
Chamonix has a lively aprés ski scene. Revellers can take their pick from over one hundred restaurants, bars, cafés and the piéce de résistance- a glitzy casino.
Other Attractions:
Snowmobiling, ice climbing, snowshoeing, sleigh riding, Crystal Gallery, Ice Grotto.
2. Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy)
Where:
Cortina is one of 12 resorts that make up the Dolomiti Superski Area. Corina itself has one hundred slopes equalling 144km of trails in total. Venice Airport is the closest International Airport to Cortina d’Amprezzo. A one hundred mile drive from the airport will take you to the resort. The trip takes about two and a half hours.
Suitable for:
Of all the resorts in the Dolomiti Superski Area, Cortina is probably best suited to intermediate skiers, offering little challenge to experts. However, its gentle slopes provide the perfect training grounds for beginner snowboarders, while 80km of trails around Cortina’s Cross Country Centre provides plenty of scope for cross country skiers. Cortina is home to some of Italy’s best ski schools, with some instructors even qualified to teach skiers with disabilities.
Aprés Ski:
Cortina boasts an impressive aprés ski scene with over 80 restaurants serving up delicious Italian cuisine, pizza parlours, wine bars and cosy Bavarian-style pubs.
Other Attractions:
Olympic bobsleigh run, snow rafting, sledding, snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleighs, first-class shopping and fine dining.
3. Lech (Austria)
Where:
Situated in the Arlberg Region of Austria, Lech boasts 110km of trails. Lech is a charming village, renowned for its reliable snowfall. With just 1300 citizens, the one time farming community retains a special sense of traditional Alpine character. The Arlberg region boasts a total of 273km of trails at an altitude ranging from 1450m to 2800m. Lech can be reached by hire car from Innsbruck Airport, within a 120km drive.
Suitable for:
Lech is well suited to both beginners and intermediates, with 44km of its trails dedicated to learners and experienced skiers. Meanwhile, experts may prefer the challenge of off-trail skiing, where snow is powdery. Cross-country skiers are well catered to too, with 26km of enticing trails to be found around the resort.
Aprés Ski:
Lech has a sophisticated aprés ski scene, with over 60 restaurants and eateries located in and around the resort. Nightclubs and bars keep night owls entertained well into the early hours of the morning.
Other Attractions:
Snowboarding fun park, tobogganing, ice-skating, sleigh riding, snowshoeing, hiking trails.
4. Zermatt (Switzerland)
Where:
The pretty Swiss village of Zermatt is situated under the shadow of the beautiful and impressive Matterhorn in a region known as the Matterhorn Ski Paradise. In total there are 250km of trails across three resorts: the Sunnegga-Rothorn, the Gornergrat and Klein Matterhorn. Zermatt can be reached within a three-hour hire car drive from Geneva Airport.
Suitable for:
Zermatt’s terrain makes it suited to intermediates in particular. Over fifty percent of its trails are allocated to intermediates. However, there’s excellent scope for advanced skiers who choose to go off-trail.
Aprés Ski:
As darkness falls and the skis are hung up, the fun really begins in Zermatt. Zermatt is home to over 100 restaurants, many of which are situated on Bahnhofstrasse, the village’s main street. Bars and nightclubs blast jazz and chart music, ensuring everyone is kept entertained into the night.
Other Attractions:
Tobogganing, ice-skating, ice climbing, helicopter rides, Alpine Museum, over 300 shops, Glacier Grotto Ice Museum.
5. Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany )
Where:
The mountain health resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen is situated in the Bavarian Alps. The resort can be easily accessed by hire car from Munich Airport, with excellent highways connecting Garmisch-Partenkirchen with the Bavarian capital.
Suitable for:
Alpine skiers will find 115km of downhill runs provide thrills of all degrees of difficulty. The resort is famous for its annual New Year Ski Jumping Competition, as well as the healing properties of its pure mountain air.
Aprés Ski:
Over 30 bars, nightclubs and pubs provide lively après ski, while a flashy casino adds a touch of glamour.
Other Attractions:
Olympic Ice Stadium, offering 4,800 square yards of ice and lessons for those interested in learning the elegant sport of ice-skating. Swimming, curling and sleigh rides are other activities available for those who want to take a break from the slopes.
Written by mcleare