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| No
business like snow business: the top ski resorts |
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| Kitzbuhel
is the ‘Pearl of the Alps’ |
When
winter falls over the majestic mountain ranges in the
northern hemisphere, skiers and boarders come out to play.
Nestled in the snow-covered valleys are resorts that cater
for the winter influx of tourists seeking adventure both
on and off-piste. Here are some of the world’s finest
ski and après ski resorts.
Cortina, Italy
Despite sharing the name of Ford’s ugliest creations,
Cortina is Italy’s most stylish resort. The host
town of the Winter Olympics in 1956 is surrounded by the
craggy Dolomite mountain range and offers thrill seekers
their fix of adrenaline. In addition to fine skiing and
boarding, the Adrenaline Centre offers bobsledding, snow
rafting and high-speed tobogganing. The town itself offers
stylish bars, designer shopping and beautiful people.
Chamonix/Mont-Blanc, France
Host of the world’s first Winter Olympic games in
1924, Chamonix is one of the most famous ski resorts in
the world. Located in the shadows of the mighty Mont Blanc,
the highest peak in the Alps (4,810 m), Chamonix boasts
a picturesque valley setting and Europe’s most rugged
ski terrain, including a lift-served vertical drop of
2,807m and Vallée Blanche, one of the world’s
longest runs at over 13 miles. You can also backcountry
ski, hang glide and scale the ice glaciers.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Gstaad enjoys a glamorous existence with many famous guests
from royalty to movie stars. The town banned cars in 1997
and now the chalet-style village is even more beautiful
than ever. The funiculars and chairlifts around Gstaad
link to a system that serves at least six other ski resorts
scattered over four valleys.
Kitzbuhel, Austria
While Austria’s St Anton is one of Europe’s
liveliest ski resorts and Innsbruck is home to one of
Europe’s most beautiful cities, Kitzbuhel is considered
the “Pearl of the Alps”. The 700-year-old village
offers visitors the charm and beauty of an alpine village.
 Banff/Lake
Louise, Alberta, Western Canada
Located in the heart of Canada’s Banff National Park,
Lake Louise ranks as one of the most scenic ski resorts
in North America, if not the entire world. Banff/Lake
Louise has three different ski areas, Mount Norquay/Mystic
Ridge, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise, with intermediate
slopes to vertical drops.
Aspen, Colorado, Western US
Aspen is world famous for its four mountains, but it is
most renowned for being the winter playground of the rich
and famous. This exclusive ski resort accommodates all
by featuring excellent terrain for all skier levels through
a combination of steeps, bumps and well-groomed intermediate
runs. As the resort of choice for the very wealthy, Aspen
is an expensive but cultured choice.
Vail, Colorado, Western United States
Legendary Vail markets itself as America’s favourite
ski resort with 174 trails and seven bowls. Adventure
Ridge, high above the town, offers snow tubing and night-time
sledding, while the town itself is bursting with bistros,
boutiques and several art galleries and museums.
Whistler/Blackcomb, Cananda
These two magnificent mountains provide the best skiing
in North America, with the largest vertical drop (1,609m),
expert terrain glaciers, wide alpine bowls and backcountry
and cross-country skiing. Whistler’s charming but
bustling village offers a wide selection of cafes, designer
shops and over 100 restaurants. Aspen might be the place
to be seen in the US but Whistler is the place to ski.
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