Places to Visit

Interlaken’s ski slopes offer opportunities for the beginner and the professional.  The Jungfrau region has more than 160 km of ski trails and some of the most challenging slopes and jumps in Europe.  The slopes surrounding Lake Brienz and Lake Thun have slopes for skiers and snowboarders all the year round, though in the off-season many of the slopes are off-limits due to snow and low visibility.  The most well known and challenging of these slopes include the run from Schilthorn to Lauterbrunnen, a 2200-metre descent. Intermediate slopes include Mürren, Grindelwald, and Wengen.  Wilderswil is a popular slope with beginners and has several ski instructors for the day. 

Interlaken Hotels and Refreshment 

Höheweg and Jungfraustrasse are the primary centres where hotels and cafes are located and a visitor may sample authentic Swiss fondue, pastry and Pilsner.  There are several hotels located on the main street, but with a large number of tourists who stay for at least several days, Bed & Breakfasts are far more popular in Interlaken – the land between two lakes.

Mountain Activities at Whistler Blackcomb

When visitors think of Whistler Blackcomb, the home of the alpine events during the 2010 Winter Olympics, they think of skiing and snowboarding.  Whistler also offers glacier skiing and riding, hiking along mountain trails and Peak to Peak chair lift sightseeing rides.  After a long day of hiking or skiing, visitors can visit a number of world renowned restaurants while taking in the view of the mountains and village. 

Summer Activities

Whistler Blackcomb is not just for winter activities.  During the summer months adventure seekers can hike, ATV ride, take a zip line ride or sightsee along trails on both mountains.  Guests can take a gondola ride to the summit of the mountains, go on a bear viewing tour or walk on a glacier.  For sports minded individuals, mountain biking and mini golf round off a day in the mountains.  Rafting and a slide down the mountain are also fun activities. 

Winter Activities

Aside from skiing and snowboarding, visitors can snowmobile, ride a zip line, powder mountain cat ski and slide down the mountain in a tube.  For families, Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre, sleigh rides and snowshoeing are great activities.

Close to the French border is Pas de la Casa, the highest resort in the Pyrenees.  This claim to fame gives this resort a great snow record and a variety of runs above the tree line.  The resort is purpose built so is guaranteed to offer skiing facilities that are second to none.  Ski areas are shared with Soldeu and there is a full area pass available for those into adventure.

There are a few advanced black runs, but there is plenty of off-piste skiing to satisfy the hard core enthusiast – especially around Grau Roig.  Pas de la Casa has quite a few intermediate and beginner runs with plenty of long red runs.  Pas de la Casa has a bit of a reputation for a vibrant night life, but there are children’s facilities available.  They don’t call the area “Ibiza in the snow” for nothing!

Pancakes or Hotcakes

Kids of all ages love pancakes.  They are a substantial carbohydrate that will fill up everyone’s belly until the next meal.  Adding favourites to the pancake batter will be even more fun.  Try blueberries, sliced almonds, or walnuts.  The nuts will add the needed protein.  Offer peanut butter along with them to add even more protein and substance.

Use pancake mix or self-raising whole flour, baking powder, and whole milk.  Add in one egg.  Cook in a heavy pan with melted butter until the edges have browned.  Flip and cook the other side.  Serve with golden syrup for a touch of sweetness.

Eggs with Spinach Leaves on Toast

Fry up an egg in healthy olive oil or butter.  Make a piece of whole grain toast and top it with a few fresh leaves of spinach.  Place the egg on top and serve with whole grain mustard.  This is light, but provides the protein you’ll need to carry you through until lunch.

Cereal Standby

There’s always the old standard – cereal.  Buy plain granola and several toppings so each can make his or her own version.  Be sure to include nuts and seeds as an option to provide protein.

The resort is easily accessed from the UK; the nearest airport is Geneva (just over an hour away) and even doing it the hard way, by car, it’s just over an eight hour drive from Calais.

Morzine has something for everyone, and all budgets.  There are chalets which are popular with groups and families, apartments with ski storage and gear drying areas and cosy French hotels which are great for short breaks. 

The resort offers a wide range of winter sports activities for all age groups and abilities, with 650 kms of pistes, providing a whole range of runs from novice to white-knuckle and 200 lifts linking the resort to 13 other Franco/Swiss resorts.

But Morzine is not one of those resorts that shut up shop with the melting snow.   Far from it.  With the advent of spring the town blossoms into a fabulous Alpine walking destination.

With its beautiful scenery and sparkling mountain air it’s the perfect place for a summer walking holiday.  The ski lifts transport walkers and mountain bikers up to high pastures criss-crossed with footpaths and bike trails.

The town is bustling with life, unlike many out-of-season ski resorts with closed-up shops and shuttered apartments.  There is a weekly market, annual festivals, paragliding championships, and of course the Tour de France, which always passes close by every July. 

Skiing holidays in France can easily be found on the internet or through a travel agency, and there are often offers to Val d’Isere, making it extremely affordable for all budgets. With the introduction of low cost airlines, more and more people are finding skiing holidays to France within their reach.

Val d’Isere has nursery slopes and ski schools for those who have never taken a skiing holiday before, and lessons with a fully trained ski instructor are recommended. Intermediate and advanced skiers will not be disappointed as there are many runs to challenge them.

Expert skiers will find the amazing off-piste trails challenging, and can even try out the 1992 Olympic downhill ski run. There are approximately 45km of trails in the area suitable for cross-country skiers.

The nearest airports to Val d’Isere are Chambery, with a transfer time of approximately 2 hours, and Geneva and Lyon, both having transfer times of around 2 ½ hours.

For the otherwise adventurous non-skier there are many activities to enjoy such as parasailing and ice climbing.  Gentler pursuits include leisurely walks and also husky sleighs for those who like something a little different.

With so many resorts each one is able to branch out a bit and fill a specific niche.  There is an excellent variety of ski resorts for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.  With some resorts offering trick parks and varied terrain, there’s something for anyone interested in snow sports. 

Those not interested in a formal ski resort can still enjoy one of the thousands of ski chalets that are available in the French Alps.  Catering is often provided and this can make a weekend on the slopes all the more enjoyable for you and your family.  These homes can be rented at quite reasonable prices, allowing a ski holiday to be more than a yearly event and instead a frequent treat.

While the choices available may be a bit overwhelming, there is a wealth of information and facts available to aid your decision.  There is something for everyone in the French Alps, and no Brit interested in good skiing should need to look any further.

The resort itself covers a vast area and each region is known by its altitude, for example, the highest and most glamorous region is Courchevel 1850, other regions consist of 1300, 1550 and 1650. Each region caters for differing levels of expertise which allows this resort to cover a larger client base. The lower villages tend to be more family orientated, and have a quieter atmosphere, while the higher villages have a more chic atmosphere with many very pricy shops.

The whole resort of Courchevel boasts 117 ski runs over a total 150km area. There are also 63 ski lifts to take skiers to their chosen altitude. First time skiers will not be disappointed and will enjoy their ski holiday. France can provide it all, for novice and experienced skiers alike, with excellent ski schools and plenty of instructors.

There is a free bus service linking all the villages and there is also plenty for the non skier to do. Archery and air ballooning are often not associated with ski holidays, but France’s Courchevel resort also provides these activities along with tobogganing and skating. A ski holiday in France at Courchevel truly has something for everyone.

Aviemore is probably the most well-known ski resort in Scotland. The slopes are ideal for beginners and there is plenty of expert tuition available. There are also more challenging slopes for expert skiers. There is plenty of accommodation ranging from self-catering apartments to hotels and it is ideal for weekend and mid week skiing holidays. When the snow is good, be aware that it may be very busy.

The Lecht is another resort in Scotland that caters for skiers of all abilities, as well as all ages. There is a rental shop for boots and skis as well as shops where you can buy clothing. Clothing can also be hired providing you pre-book (booking by phone is acceptable). For those times when the Scottish weather is against the skier, there are snow cannons on every run and Lecht has the largest snow making system in Scotland.

Nevis range has a range of runs and a good record for snow. Situated in the shadow of Ben Nevis, it has fantastic views and the runs cater for all levels of experience from beginners to the accomplished skier, and there is also an artificial ski slope.

Glenshee has an extensive site where the snow can be powdery and deep but also can be icy and extremely windy. The unpredictable Scottish weather is always going to be a problem for skiers but for those in the UK it is easily accessible and great for day trips or short breaks.

The most obvious place in Spain for skiing is the Pyrenees, the mountain range that spans the border with France.  Many holiday makers will head to the Pyrenees if they want a skiing holiday.  Other options include the Sierra Nevada in the south of Spain, which in spite of its southern location has the longest winter season, totalling almost 5 months.  The city of Madrid is close to several ski resorts and La Rioja near the north is also home to a few ski resorts. 

The ski resorts offer all the facilities that you would expect, including skiing lessons for beginners and hire of ski equipment.  Most people choose to rent an apartment and go self-catering but all the resorts boast excellent hotels to suit all budgets.  The restaurants represent most of the world’s cuisines and there are other options for an evening out, such as cinemas and nightclubs.

Spain offers good value for money when it comes to ski deals as it is one of the cheapest places in Europe for holiday makers.  Finding cheap flights is easy as there are several budget airlines which fly to most of the main cities in Spain.  If you are prepared to shop around for your skiing holiday then you should be able to find an inexpensive skiing holiday for the whole family.