EXPERT • October 2016
Skiing for all seasons (part one)
In the first of a two-part series, ski expert and travel writer Gabriella Le Breton reveals which snowy slopes to make tracks for this upcoming winter season – and the best time to go
November: Tignes, France
Tignes has the terrain to offer skiing 365 days a year, but closes for 10 weeks to preserve glacial snow. Happily for impatient European skiers, Tignes and Val d’Isère open their joint ski area this November, offering snow-sure slopes plus abundant artificial white stuff. Stay a snowball’s throw from the piste in luxurious Chalet Opale, which sleeps 10 and comes with a hot tub, shared driver and concierge service.
From £610 per person for seven nights self-catered accommodation
Nearest airport: Geneva
December: Stuben, Austria
This December, Ski Arlberg will become Austria’s largest linked ski area, encompassing St Anton, Lech and Zurs, as the new Flexenbahn lifts place the hamlet of Stuben at its centre. Locals argue Stuben has been on the map since recreational skiing began: local hero Johann ‘Hannes’ Schneider founded the Arlberg ski technique in 1910. His childhood home, House Hannes Schneider, is newly transformed into a plush chalet.
From £2,850 per person for seven nights half board with drinks, including British Airways return flights from London to Innsbruck with Kaluma Travel
Nearest airport: Innsbruck
January: Verbier, Switzerland
Join an action-packed Powder White Weekend in Verbier and you’ll find yourself in chalet hotel Mont Gelé with like-minded ski enthusiasts, making the most of the resort’s pistes and nightlife. Powder White ensures guests squeeze every ounce of fun out of their three- or four-night breaks, offering flexible check-in and check-out times and the Powder White Shuttle Geneva airport transfer service.
From £299 per person for three nights, or £359 per person for four nights, half board with drinks (powderwhite.com)
Nearest airport: Geneva
February: Hokkaido, Japan
The island of Hokkaido deserves its cult status among freeskiers, receiving up to 700 inches of snow each winter. Britain’s leading freeskier, Warren Smith, will host two Powder Camps here this winter. Smith and his team will introduce skiers to the beauty of Japan’s terrain and build skills and confidence through five days of intensive coaching, with a further three days to explore independently.
Five-day training course from £559 per person, with accommodation and travel organised on request (warrensmith-skiacademy.com)
Nearest airport: Tokyo
March: Aspen, USA
Adored for its vibrant town and superb skiing across four mountains, Aspen is perhaps best enjoyed in March. As the days get longer and warmer, Fridays herald sunset skiing, where the lifts on one mountain remain open until sundown. March is also when the The Little Nell’s mobile Veuve Clicquot Champagne bar pops up to refresh skiers wanting high-altitude bubbles.
From £1,988 per person for 10 nights (bed and breakfast) at Aspen’s Limelight Hotel, including return British Airways flights from London to Denver (ski-i.com)
Nearest airport: Denver
Want to ski off-season? The Club reveals the snowy resorts, both near and far, to visit in spring and summer in the second part of the guide, out in the November issue.
You can now book your next ski break with British Airways Holidays. For more information, visit ba.com/ski
This article has been tagged Adventure, Travel Tips