Ski Holidays in New Zealand

With the Southern Alps running down the entire South Island and a huge snow covered volcano in the North, there are plenty of ski areas dotted around New Zealand. Whether you plan to come across especially for the skiing, or want to squeeze in a couple of days on your sightseeing trip there are no shortage of places to choose from.

However, if you do come to New Zealand expecting lifts with heated seats and 5 star restaurants on the snow you will be looking for a long time! New Zealand skiing is no frills skiing at its best. No furry animal ski suits here (unless you count people in Yeti suits).

Ski areas in New Zealand are generally located up some pretty hairy roads which are predominantly dirt or gravel, and pretty steep with huge drop-offs - don't worry though, this all adds to the sense of adventure and excitement! Other than the club lodges at Whakapapa in the North Island and a few on mountain apartments at Cardrona there is no ski-in ski-out accommodation at any of the commercial fields. Club fields are a different kettle of fish but more about them another time.

Arriving at the car parks you will come to the base areas which generally consist of a couple of buildings in which are housed lift ticket and ski school sales, a café or two, maybe a small shop, and a place to hire your equipment. If you usually ski in North America or Europe and are used to entire villages at the base of the mountain then New Zealand is pretty much the opposite!

What the resorts lack in terms of infrastructure they definitely make up for in other ways. The ski areas themselves are fantastic. Although much smaller than most Northern Hemisphere resorts, they manage to pack a wide range of terrain into the space they occupy. All of the ski areas are above the tree line which means that the terrain is completely open. You can encounter anything from wide rolling bowls, to natural half pipes, to steep drop-offs, chutes, and cliffs. The areas are jam-packed with natural terrain features so if you like to cruise around and have fun this is the perfect playground. There are good groomers and beginner areas too for those that prefer a more sedate snow holiday.

There are a couple of world class terrain parks in the South Island with Cardrona and Snow Park both boasting some huge hits, half pipes, and a variety of rails and boxes. Cardrona and Snow Park use the Global Cutter to cut their pipes, the same machine used to make the pipe in Whistler for the Olympics earlier this year (designed by Kiwi John Melville). If you like chucking yourself off big things you won't be disappointed. In fact Wanaka is the favourite place for many Northern Hemisphere riders to train during their summer. Don't be surprised if you catch a glimpse of Shaun White at the top of the pipe, or practicing his cricket in town.

The views and scenery from all of the ski areas are absolutely stunning. The atmosphere is chilled and relaxed, and ski area staff are exceptionally friendly. There are endless opportunities for off-piste, out-of bounds skiing and snowboarding - but as always, make sure you know what you are doing and have all the right avalanche gear before heading out of bounds, and check with Ski Patrol first.

If you are the type of skier or snowboarder that doesn't need pampering, and likes a challenge then New Zealand is definitely worth checking out. From the epic club fields in Canterbury (Glen Plake is a regular) to the magnificence of the ski areas in the Wanaka/Queenstown area you will be amazed by the South Island. At Mt Ruapehu in the North Island you have the opportunity to ski or ride on an active volcano. With a bit of a hike you can even ski right down next to the crater lake.

If you can get some reasonably priced flights then you will find that a snow holiday in New Zealand is very affordable and is definitely a once in a life time experience!

Ski Holidays Poland

Ski holidays in Poland on the whole are like any other ski holiday, you arrive at your destination and ski for a week before flying home. It sounds quite simple as a single sentence but we all know there is more to a ski holiday than just the sliding up and down. People enjoy the crisp winter fresh air, the beautiful mountain scenery associated with skiing and the apres ski atmosphere that can be found only in ski resorts. When it comes to ski holidays in Poland and search results on the internet there is mostly very varied information available. This is due to the set up of the skiing areas in Poland and in particularly Zakopane, the winter sports capital of Poland. Unlike most major ski resorts worldwide where ski areas are either on one large open mountain face or even linked over many valleys, such as the 3 valleys or the Grand Massif in France, ski areas in Poland are divided up. If you went on a ski holiday in Zakopane you would find yourself with a choice of numerous smaller ski areas to choose from, each privately owned and run around the town. This kind of adds to the appeal of Zakopane as each individual ski area has its own unique character.

There are places to ski in Zakopane than are literally farm land on a hill that is of no other use in the cold and snowy winters. Farmers erect their own private drag lifts and throughout the winter you will see hundreds of people taking advantage of even the tiniest of open ski slopes. After all what more does a beginner need?! There are however, other ski areas around such as Bialka Tatrzanska that have more futuristic plans, Bialka has been developing year after year with new runs and lifts and now has plans in place to link up to other nearby ski hills and create its own linked ski area. The mountains that overlook Zakopane, The Tatra Mountains are also open to skiers and snowboarders during the winter on Kasprowy Wierch but the ski runs and off piste skiing is strictly controlled by National Park Rangers. The long term hope for Zakopane is that permission will be given to open up the mountains a little more and develop them into what could be a fantastic ski area.

For some a ski holiday in Poland may not sound as attractive as it does for others but for those looking for something different and something a lot more affordable than mainstream Europe, Zakopane, Poland is the perfect option. The variety of individual ski areas for some may sound ridiculous but for others who may just be beginners or intermediates, the idea of choosing a suitable ski area each day for your personal level of ability is brilliant. You can pick your area, ensure that you are on a slope that will be full of people at a similar level and not feel pressured into skiing on slopes where people are flying past you and worrying you, just enjoy your ski holiday at your own pace!

Away from the ski slopes Zakopane offers everything listed above and more. The town centre is picturesque with snow filled streets, Christmas lights and the mountains looking down. There are warm cafes, bars and restaurants everywhere as well as a number of spas, pools and places to relax. A ski holiday in Poland is definitely worth a try.

Great Ski Holidays in France

Skiers from the United Kingdom often take the ferry Norfolk Line in France with a choice of more than 20 departures per day to the French port of Calais. The ferry from Dover across the Channel in France and in just 2 hours.

Let's look at some of the most popular spots for skiing in the Alps of France. The fifth largest ski resorts are the areas of Megeve and Chamonix in the south of France. The Chamonix is one of the first areasbuilt and is still very popular today even though it is rather expensive.

For those looking for slopes suitable for beginners the resort near Megeve at the Combloux is more to their liking. The Les Carroz resort located near Flaine is an ideal skiing holiday destination for families with young children. High mountain skiing with typically good snow is available at the Les Arcs ski resort, which is modern and offers up to date amenities.

For great year round skiing, you will want to check out Tignes/Val d'Isereis. This famed resort has already hosted world skiing championships and is considered the most expensive of all ski resorts in Europe. However, with the number of visitors and skiers returning yearly it is obviously worth the crossing to France and the money. This mountainous area is home to 300 km of ski runs (pistes) of which several are 2,500 metres in altitude. It is considered one of the prime facilities with runs for the most experienced all the way down to beginners just starting out.

The Chamonix as mentioned earlier is a favorite for all skiers of every skill level and it is a convenient drive by car from Paris. It is also a popular destination because ski chalets are easily accessible by booking ski packages from the train station or airport in Paris. You will understand why Chamonix is a skier's paradise when you stand in the center of town and view mountains in every direction. Skiing facilities are supported by four ski areas, which also include learning areas for those that need lessons.

There are numerous chalets, hotels, ski apartments and houses for rent. Many offer ski in and ski out facilities making it convenient to the slopes. Dinners enjoy several choices of popular restaurants abounding in the area.

Ski Holidays in France - Great Ski Chalets, Apartments and Lodges in Fantastic Resorts

Ski Season is upon us, and the choice of resorts is ever increasing. So where do you start with the plans for the ski holidays? Deciding on a country is probably the best place! One of the first places that people think about is France. But why?

Ski holidays in France seem to be gaining popularity not only in European tourists, but also for North American and Asian travelers. Nowadays, the beautiful ski slopes, powdery snow, and picturesque scenery in France are no longer enjoyed by the locals alone, but are now renowned all over the world. One of the reasons behind this is the existence of different slopes and hills that cater to all skiers, no matter what skill level. From beginners to experts, there's bound to be a ski area in France that will provide challenging bends and slopes to make skiing and other snow-related activities truly exciting for the whole family.

Apart from fantastic Alps and mountain ranges, one other reason why ski holidays in France are in demand is the abundance of great ski apartments, lodges and chalets in various ski resorts all over the country. Whether you're looking for luxurious or budget accommodation, there will surely be a fully furnished ski chalet, lodge or apartment that will suit your needs. Aside from being just a few minutes away from fantastic ski resorts, most ski vacation rentals are also affordable as they come complete with important amenities such as fireplaces, heaters, and fully-functioning kitchens. In fact, it will be easy for you to find accommodation that will suit your preferences because traditional houses, lodges, modern apartments, and chalets are widespread in various ski resorts all around France.

For those who are spending ski holidays in France for the very first time, it may be a good idea to look for accommodation near popular ski destinations in the country. Although there are many fantastic yet small ski resorts, you may want to try out the more popular ones first so that you'll meet a lot of people and get a hang of the local traditions, practices, and culture in some of the ski areas in France. Three of the world-renowned ski places in France include Val D'Isere, L'Espace Killy and the Three Valleys, composed of the Meribel, Val Thorens and Courchevals. Some of the best ski resorts not only in France, but also in the world can be found in these regions.

Ski holidays in France won't be complete if you don't participate in other snow-related activities. Snowboarding, snow hiking, mountain treks, ice climbing, ice skating, sleigh riding, and tobogganing are also popular in most ski resorts in this European country.

For more information about ski holidays and vacation rentals in France, you can click through to our website to learn more. You can even search ski holidays in France.  So go on, have a look - and consider France for your ski holiday

Skiing and Snowboarding Holidays in Zakopane, Poland

     Zakopane, Poland is located at the foot of the stunning Tatra mountain range in Southern Poland. Zakopane is just 108km away from the nearest international airport in Krakow making it easily accessible from around Europe with flights offered by most of the low cost airlines. Zakopane is known locally as Poland's winter sports capital due to the variety of ski slopes, the World Cup Ski Jump in Zakopane, ice rinks and plenty of apres ski activity options. The town of Zakopane during the winter is like a story book  with snow covered mountains in the background and horse drawn sleighs trotting through the snowy streets under the Christmas lights. The main street in the centre of Zakopane is called The Krupowki, where you will find everything from small local markets to busy nightclubs, Zakopane really does cater for everybody.

     So why then, unlike other European winter resorts, which are served by the large holiday companies, has Zakopane has been left out for so long? This can be put down to the problems in Zakopane and Poland in general over the years, a well documented history that has sadly slowed the growth of a wonderful country. However, when it comes to skiing holidays specifically in Zakopane it comes down to buying lift passes, getting to the ski slopes and arranging accommodation that larger companies just do not want the hassle of dealing with. 

     Ski holidays to resorts such as Alpe D'Huez in France can be booked on-line in a few minutes. You turn up, get greeted at the airport and put on one of hundreds of daily buses to and from the resort, given your skis and lift pass, walk out of your hotel and on to the slopes. Easy to organise, relaxing and a popular choice amongst skiers and snowboarders. Zakopane, however, has lacked this hassle free option for a long time. It is only now that we see specialist holiday companies putting together hassle free ski and snowboard holiday packages to Zakopane, Poland. It has taken a while to happen but Zakopane is slowly becoming an easily accessed, hassle free ski holiday destination that people can enjoy without the stress of having to organise it all themselves.

     In the past if you would had taken a skiing or snowboarding holiday to Zakopane you would have had to arrange everything yourself. Zakopane is a surprisingly large mountain town, there are literally hundreds of places to stay and lots of small ski areas dotted around for your skiing or snowboarding, which can create problems when booking accommodation. There are chalets and hotels available for booking over the internet that although say they are in Zakopane can actually be far away from the town centre and any ski slopes. This is where the irritation begins as you can find yourself having to worry about booking taxis or figure out the bus timetables before you can get to the ski slopes and enjoy yourself. Hassle that you no longer need to worry about in Zakopane.

     With the opening of specialist skiing and snowboarding holiday companies offering all-inclusive, hassle free packages to Poland, the stress and worry of skiing or snowboarding in Zakopane is over. You can now be greeted at the airport, driven to Zakopane and dropped off in your centrally located accommodation. You will then be given your skis or snowboard and picked up from your accommodation each morning to be taken to the days ski area. You are issued your lift pass and can be looked after by professional English speaking ski and snowboard instructors. The joys of a package ski and snowboard holiday have arrived in Zakopane, just turn up and enjoy your skiing and snowboarding holiday.

Zakopane, Poland should no longer be seen as a ski resort to avoid but one to visit and enjoy. As well as the ski slopes, Zakopane offers plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to enjoy, stunning scenery and a picturesque town centre. Zakopane really is a wonderful destination for a skiing and snowboarding holiday and one to check out before you decide to settle on a standard trip to France. You can currently also enjoy the luxury of the currency in Poland not being in the Euro, prices in Zakopane offer great value for money allowing your money to go further both on and off the ski slopes.