ski travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Sunday River is a ski resort located in Newry, Maine, in the United States. It is very large and famous ski resorts. Sunday River offers a distinctive Maine mountain experience. It is a sprawling mountain getaway with few crowds.

Sunday River offers 16 lifts that have the capacity to carry 32,000 skiers. The Chondola mixes chairs and gondola cabins and whisks riders to the 3,140-foot summit in seven minutes.

Luke Martin, Pam Saxton, and Whitney Poulin share a ride in a gondola cabin on the Chondola.

Whitney Poulin rides a rail in the terrain park.

The resort offers clinics and lessons for children 3 to 16 years old. The eight summits which make up the resort span three and a half miles, and Sunday River owns another 6,000 surrounding acres that it might expand into.

 The Little Nell is nestled at the foot of Aspen mountain. The hotel is regarded as one of Colorado’s premier luxury resorts. The Little Nell is the winner of the Travel & Leisure 2004 World’s Best Awards.

The Little Nell has 92 rooms, decorated in a warm and comfortable style with deluxe sofas, oversized beds and elegant marble bathrooms. More of them have views overlook Aspen Mountain. More expensive suites can include large living areas, double balconies and a full wet bar.
Hotel facilities include a health club with gym equipment and massage rooms, Jacuzzi and heated outdoor swimming pool and a ski Concierge to assure you’ll have freshly waxed skis and warm boots to start your day of skiing. In winter the pool is heated to 102° and the bench and Jacuzzi jets make it a relaxing soaking tub after a day on the slopes. Dining choices include fresh seafood at The Terrace Bar and Rocky Mountain Artisan cuisine at Montagna Restaurant. The cuisine is complemented by a 15,000 wine bottle cellar overseen by the Master Sommelier.Prices for a standard room in the height of season start at $750 a night, in off-season – about $280 dollars a night.

In winter, Cortina offers 110 kilometers of downhill and 58 km. of cross-country ski runs.  Cortina d’Ampezzo is a famous alpine town in northern Italy. It’s in the Dolomites, part of the eastern half of the Italian Alps. In winter the town is a busy skiing destination, with several cable cars and access to many runs. With the professionals at the Cortina Adrenaline Center, thrills and  are available to everyone: taxi-bob, snow rafting, crazy sledge.
The rocky cliffs of the Dolomites that crown the town, like Tofane and Cristallo, represent a dream for every mountain climber.  Extreme sports enthusiasts can ride down Cortina’s Olympic Bobsled at 75 miles per hour. Those who enjoy less extreme sports will enjoy the resort’s sledding runs.

Many restaurants ranging from fine dining to pizzerias provide fantastic meals. Cortina cannot be discussed without mentioning the shopping.

Hiking, biking, skiing, sledding, skating, swimming, snow shoeing  all is here to be enjoyed. Cortina is  favourite destination of the tourists from all over the world. The hotels are centrally located, offer good value, and have been visited by a Ski Europe representa-tive.
Hotel Miramonti ( 0436-4201 ), Hotel Oasi ( 0436-862019), Parc Hotel Vitoria (3246 4734).

The Pitcher Inn which was built in the 1700’s is located in the picturesque village of Warren, Vermont. The loggers who frequented the rustic place in the early times would not recognize its reincarnation.

The Pitcher Inn is a delightful 11-room and suite inn located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, at the foot of Sugarbush Resort. The Trout Room has tree trunks for bedposts, a giant trout on the wall, and your own fly-fishing gear, while the Ski Room has furniture made from wooden skis. But you can’t argue with the fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, whirlpool tubs, or Wi-Fi access in nearly every room.The Mountain Room includes a sleeping area that takes the form of a fire tower and contains a 360-degree diorama of the Green Mountains and a sitting area that offers a ceiling of snowshoes, walls of Vermont stone and floorboards of old-growth wood.

The restaurant located on the main floor of The Pitcher Inn seats forty, and features a full breakfast and refined dinner menu. The food at the Inn is just as extraordinary as the accommodations. The Chef prepares seasonally inspired cuisine, emphasizing healthy cooking techniques, and utilizing organic, locally grown foods.
Spa services at The Pitcher Inn are provided by the Alta Spa, an Aveda concept day spa with a full range of treatments.
In winter, head to nearby Sugarbush or Mad River Glen for challenging glade skiing. And for an even greater adrenaline jolt, ride the rocket sled, a strap-in toboggan invented by Sellers, down the closed-in-winter Lincoln Gap Road.

If you want a true winter holiday experience come to Falls Creek- a wonderful small snow village located in Australia. Huski is arranged at the centre of the village Falls Creek and offers ski in-ski out access and great views form every appartment.

Falls Creek is largest ski and boarding resort and Australia’s only 100 per cent ski-in, ski old mountain village. As well as the resort is famous for its on mountain restaurants and as an eco-friendly tourism hot spot. Falls Creek is 356 km (4,5 hours drive), north east from Melbourne, 690 km (7,5 hours drive) from Sydney, 985 km (10,5 hours drive) from Adelaide and is a 4,5 hour flight from Brisbane.

A wide range of facilities are on offer at Falls Creek during winter. They are a selection of bars, restaurants and eateries, ski and snowboard rental and retail, snowsports school, cinema, gymnasium, occasional childcare centre, day spa, supermarket, post office, photographic centre, free village shuttle, apres taxi, 24 hour medical centre.

With all these Falls Creek’s facilities in Huski turn presents 14 luxuriously appartments including 4 studio, 2 one bedroom, 2 two bedroom, 4 three bedroom, and 2 brand new four bedroom penthouse. They have very stylish interiors and warm comfort furniture, made you feel rested during your dream holiday.

Verbier is a resort town in the east central part of the Switzerland. It is dominated by chalet-style houses and mid-size hotels, giving it a traditional Swiss feel that is at odds with the multi-story hotel blocks and modern atmosphere typical of many major French resorts. This is the French-speaking region of Switzerland, but thanks to its standing as one of the most popular Alpine destinations for British tourists, Verbier also hangs out an “English is spoken” plaque for its visitors.The quaint Swiss town resting in the saddle of majestic mountains nearly 5,000 feet above the valley floor. The principal activity at Verbier during the winter is skiing. The ski area is one of the largest in Switzerland, extending as far as Thyon and up to the Mt Fort glacier. Much of the best skiing is off-piste, making the resort best suited for experienced, or at least enthusiastic skiers. The best sector for beginners is Savolyres. There is less infrastructure for snowboarding, but advanced boarders should consider a trip to Verbier for the magnificent off-piste possibilities. The Swiss ski resort of Verbier is part of the Four Valleys Ski Area with access to 412km of downhill skiing, with 47 individual pistes, served by 92 ski lifts.

For experts prepared to hire a guide in order to explore off-slope, Verbier is one of the big names. With its Four Valleys lift network and a claimed 250 miles of slopes; Verbier would seem at first sight to rank alongside the French mega-resorts such as Courchevel or La Plagne for slope skiers, too. But it doesn’t; the Four Valleys is an inconveniently sprawling affair, while Verbier’s local slopes are surprisingly confined. Verbier sector is anywhere accessible with a standard Verbier pass, 33 standard ski runs, 2 snow parks, 1 “Jardin de Neige” (an area which is relatively flat and is made for small children initiating skiing), 4 cross-country pistes and 2 walking areas.

With pistes above 2500 metres, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season. There is an airport within two hours drive, so ski weekends, snowboard breaks and short ski holidays to Verbier are perfectly feasible.

The oldest Bulgarian resort dating back to the year of 1896. Today Borovets is the biggest, first-class mountain resort. Spread out on the bordering Borovets Saddle as well as along the northern slopes of Moussala Ridge of Eastern Rila, amongst centuries-old coniferous forests, its altitude above sea level is from 1230 to 1390m and its climate is one of the healthiest. Borovets is connected to Samokov-12km.
The genuine charm of Borovets can be seen and felt in winter. Then harmony with nature is complete. The perfect opportunities for practising winter sport and skiing most of all attract thousands of fans of the mountains from Bulgaria and abroad. At their disposal are over 45km of ski-runs varying in difficulty and grouped in 3 regions: Sitnyakovo – Martinov woodsheds-8 ski-runs, Markoudzhik – 4 ski-runs and Yasrebets- 3 ski runs. The Yastrebets ski-runs are first-class and all the ski races of greater significance within the resort are held on them. Rounds of the World Cup on ski-Alpine disciplines are also held here. The Alpine skier Peter Popangelov, the Bulgarian legend in winter sports started from here, too. There are dozens of ski-running and biathlon tracks, too. The resort is the regular host of races held in these sports.
A multitude of facilities (drag lifts, baby towns, …) cross the mountain above Borovets, but the cabin cable way to Mt. Yastrebets is the most imposing one (2363 m above sea level). The difference in altitude is 1046m and the length of the route is 4827m. Its capacity adds up to 1200 people per hour. The journey takes 23 min. Getting off of the cable way one faces the Paradise of Rila – the highest peaks of the mountain- Mt. Moussala, Mt. Little Moussala, Mt Irechek, Mt. Deno, Mt. Aleko.
The state of the strip was kept very well. There is very good skiing-school, it is with an international face as well a situation, there are the best teachers that speak different tongues. Some of them are other professional skiers. The education is in groups , the time is aligned with you. Special groups in less in 2-4 old are being offered Full-time cares in (9-16.30) asset-food. In 4-7 old can be eurolle in the skiing kinder garden, locate in the neighbourhood of the Rila Hotel.
That The clarn can rent a ski for himself, equipment same. It has as well packets with ruled everything necessarily. Guardianship of own skiing -equipment is being projected.
Many hotels in Borovets- Samokov hotel is in the most luxurious-4 stars. The Rila hotel too, with 2000 beds. The 3 star hotels- the Olympe, Yastrebets. The following hotels are smaller and very cosy as well: the Breza hotel, the Moura, the Flora… and many, many others. The little houses Yagoda and Malina host 4 people.
In the winter the resort is unusually fair, the large boron’s heaped with snow it Rusticat an elfin kind. Each weekend, tourists from the close regions visit it to fuel with energy for the employment week. Borovets will be your pleasure of the life, as you by driving ski or snowboard, driving a horse, playing tennis, bowling, drives to a helicopter, you visit the sport and well everything this or right sensible a price.

The mountain village of Zermatt is one of the great ski and climbing centres of the world. Nestled in a deep valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains, it is dominated by the huge and gracefully curved pyramid of the Matterhorn. Despite Zermatt’s popularity, despite it’s growth – more than 13000 visitors’ beds – it is still only a village, open and friendly, where people mix happily in the main street, mercifully free of cars, and dance the night away in the many rendezvous at hand. There are bars, restaurants and night-spots to suit every taste and pocket.
The small area around Zermatt features 36 mountains over 4000m, a statistic as enticing to summer hikers as to winter skiers. The first hotel opened in 1838. All through the nineteenth century, word of the place spread, and the local community quickly saw the potential: grand hotels went up and public funds were diverted into construction of the Gornergrat rack railway at the turn of the century. The skiing boom of the 1960s saw the hamlet double in size, but today it’s still acceptably small and low-key, rooted to the valley floor in a natural bowl open to the south. Zemrat is a resort located in Swiss Alps. It is most luxury point for tourists, skiing-sports and rock climbers. The humans that love extreme pleasures, harmonized with the appropriate setting, are always good they had come here. It is full despite this as well in the entire year. The close hotels of 4 levels make you feel extra. The apartments are beautiful and expansive, are appointed so can satisfy as well the most erratic tourist.An unforgettable play of colours and the unique panorama from the Rothorn Paradise combine to make this sunrise excursion an unforgettable experience. The eternal ice glows pink and the Matterhorn slowly comes to life with the first rays of sunlight. After the spectacular sunrise, visitors recharge their batteries with a hearty buffet breakfast at the Rothorn Restaurant.

The world’s highest glacier palace, approximately 15 metres under the surface of the glacier, and the various glacial splits and gaps, can all be explored in amazement. Discrete lighting and spherical sounds accompany this small wonder of the glacial world. Information about the creation of the palace, glaciology and wine, and the fascinating sculpture skilfully honed from the ice all add up to a very special experience.

Great temptation is the downhill in 10 kilometer, the road Ventina, for skiing or snowboard of which. But this that attracts much tourists is Matterhorn. Matterhorn- This is the most known reef in Alps , his stature is 4 478m. It is located on the limit between Switzerland and Italy, it is cleared of 14 July 1865, from group of crags men ahead for the first time for Eduard Wimper. The group has been from 7 humans, but 4 of them find the death at the declining. In their laureateship, at the point a large metallic cross is raised today. To Matterhorn there are everlasting snows and ices. A lot is known with its pyramidal form that is commented well by Zermatt as well. Matterhorn is real challenge. The particularly steep north 1100m, avalanches sag in her endlessly. But Jan-Mark Boavan has successfully overcome reef with ski (1980). Two Bulgarian crags mens in 1974 as well have cleared it. Each year the Swiss army staged international race.

Zermatt it will go in your consciousness always as a character of the rocky mountainous beauty. Zermatt is an experience in itself: this one little village – which has managed, much to its credit, to cling on to its old brown chalets and atmospheric twisting alleys – welcomes everybody, regardless of financial status, and the station square is where all worlds collide.

Go now
For skiers and boarders who can’t wait a minute longer to slide on the white stuff, winter never ends on Austria’s Hintertux Glacier in Tirol
In Tignes, France , a funicular train lifts skiers through the mountain to La Grande Motte glacier, sitting at a lofty and snow-sure 3,500m (11,480ft).
Alternatively, beat the crowds and sneak in some early turns in Switzerland. Saas Fee has a solid base and the Swiss national team have been spotted race training.Across the Atlantic, the gods have been smiling on Colorado, which has seen huge dumps of powder. Copper Mountain and Breckenridge , which boasts the highest lift in North America, promise fantastic early season conditions.
Go big
No need to show your passport when you ski across the French-Swiss border in the Portes du Soleil area. With 650km (404 miles) of runs and over 200 lifts among 14 linked resorts, there’s more chance of getting lost than getting bored. It’s heaven for freestyle junkies too – there are seven parks and three halfpipes to play in, including the Biotop, Avoriaz’s all-wood natural terrain park.The hottest destination stateside is Big Sky, Montana.Last year it joined forces with neighbouring resort Moonlight Basinto offer a combined ticket covering 2,140 skiable hectares (5,300 acres), making this the biggest ski area in the USA. Not yet convinced? How about an average snowfall of 10m (400in), virtually non-existent lift queues and over 220 trails, glades and bowls.
Silverton, Colorado may not have a fancy restaurant or slopeside condos, but it does have phenomenal powder, near-vertical chutes, challenging tree runs and a limit of around 80 skiers a day. The mountain, which runs just one chairlift, opened in 2002 and is fast building a reputation as a mecca for expert skiers. From January to April, all skiers and riders must join a guided group and are kitted out with avalanche beacons, probes and shovels.

Go party
If the après scene matters as much as the snow, Val d’Isère, France has no shortage of lively bars and restaurants to kick the night off. Provided your muscles aren’t aching too much after a day on the slopes, take a spin on the dancefloor in Le Graal or join the Brits in Dicks Tea Bar both churn out tunes until 0400.

Go with the kids
Following millions of dollars of investment, the picturesque town of Bansko in Bulgaria’s Pirin Mountains, is the place to go skiing in Eastern Europe. The modern ski area, connected to the historic old town by an eight-person gondola, has a dedicated children’s learning area with a magic carpet, while the main slopes are perfect for wobbly intermediates. Spend the evening sampling traditional cuisine (at a bargain price) in one of Bansko’s numerous mehanas (tavernas).
Another family-friendly resort is Sun Peaks in British Columbia, Canada. The compact, pedestrianised village is surrounded by intermediate, uncrowded slopes.
Go for style
Laax in Switzerland is fast becoming one of Europe’s most popular snowboarding destinations. The resort plays host to the Burton European Open Snowboarding Championships from 20-27 January.Young Swiss boarders look cool at the incredibly hip Riders Palace hotel- all colourful glass and exposed concrete, with playstations and DVDs in most rooms and DJs pumping out the latest beats in the stylish bar.
Switzerland also wins the prize for the most stylish mode of mountain transport. The futuristic Tschuggen Coaster in Arosa opens in December and is a cross between a mini funicular railway and a rollercoaster. The super-sleek cabins will whisk guests from the Tschuggen Grand Hotel up 500m (1,640ft) to the slopes.
Go east
Perhaps the most adventurous ski destination is Gulmarg , in the Pir Panjal mountains of Indian Kashmir. Skiing was established here by British army officers in 1927, but it was the addition of a modern gondola a couple of years ago which put Gulmarg on the winter map. Be prepared for bumpy truck rides and 1980s rental equipment, but also a huge vertical drop (1,700m (5,577ft) to the valley floor) and bottomless powder.
For après, take the postbus to Therme Vals, a beautifully designed spa crafted from local quartzite; soothe your aches in the 36°C (97°F) outdoor pool or dare to plunge into the ice pool, a distinctly chilly 14°C (57°F).

1. Easier than ever
Two of the UK’s major ski operators, Crystal and Inghams, are featuring Japanese ski resorts in their brochures for the first time this year. Both companies are offering holidays to Niseko and Rusutsu in the northern island of Hokkaido. A package with Inghams, including flights and seven nights’ half-board accommodation in a four-star hotel, starts at £995.

2. Cheaper than you think
Japan is often perceived to be an expensive destination, but a trip there needn’t involve taking out an extra mortgage. Lift tickets in the main resorts are very reasonably priced, particularly compared to major North American resorts – a one-day pass typically costs around Â¥4,500 (£20/US$38). You don’t have to break the bank to stay in comfortable accommodation either. Rates at a minishuku, a traditional Japanese inn, start at Â¥6,500 (£28/US$55) per person including two meals.

3. Powder – and plenty of it
The cold air blasting across the Sea of Japan from Siberia means Japan’s mountains are blessed with snowfalls of sometimes epic proportions. Trees become so caked in ice and snow the locals call them juhyo (snow monsters), and annual snow accumulations regularly beat the largest North American resorts. Niseko receives a massive 14m (46ft) on average each season, while skiers are virtually guaranteed knee-deep powder at Hakkoda, in Aomori on the northern tip of Honshu (Japan’s main island). Don’t expect to find any groomed pistes here though – the mountain is very much a backcountry skiers’ paradise, but fortunately there is a gondola to avoid hiking back up. Hakkoda Powder Snow Tours offers the only English-speaking guid

4. Uncrowded slopes
The ski runs can become incredibly busy over New Year and at weekends, but come during the week and you’ll have the pick of the runs and lifts – perfect for experiencing that legendary powder. What’s more, Japan has more resorts than any other country in the world (around 700), so there’s no shortage of slopes to carve up.

5. Long opening hours
While some visitors may prefer the temptation of sushi and sake or a well-deserved Asahi beer in an izakaya (Japanese pub), hard-core skiers and boarders can up their snow-mile tally after dark. Assuming your muscles can handle it, at many resorts you can ski or ride well into the evening. Some of the Niseko lifts stay open as late as 2100.

6. Onsens
For skiers who prefer to take the weight off their feet in the evening, the perfect place to relax is in an outdoor onsen. Thanks to Japan’s volcanic activity, the country is peppered with thousands of these natural hot springs and there’s no better way to ease your aches after a day on the slopes.

7. Snow monkeys
These cheeky creatures, also known as Japanese macaques, are the only monkeys found this far north in the world. Skiers might be lucky enough to spot one from the chairlift or may even see a troop of monkeys taking a dip in an onsen.

8. Bullet trains
Japan’s super-efficient fast train service means it’s a hop, skip and a jump from Tokyo to the nearest resorts.Offers packages from the capital to Yuzawa in the Japanese Alps, just 77 minutes away by bullet train. There are then around 30 resorts within a 30-minute drive of Yuzawa station. Packages start at Â¥82,500 (£358/US$698) for six nights’ B&B accommodation, ski/board rental and lift pass.

9. Winter festivals
Winter is cause to celebrate in Japan and there are myriad festivals to choose from. A highlight is the Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido, from 6-12 February, when snow and ice statues fill Odori, Sapporo’s mile-long central park, for one of the world’s biggest winter spectacles. Giant figures from history and fantasy mingle with elaborate sculptures of famous buildings up to 10m (30ft) high.Also worth checking out is the 400-year-old Kamakura Festival in Yokote, Akita from 15-16 February. Over 80 kamakura (snow huts) and 3,000 miniature igloos are built by heaping up snow and then burrowing out the interior. Children cry ‘Agattanse!’ to invite you into their candlelit huts for toasted rice cakes and hot, sweet sake (amazake). The purpose of the festival, apart from bringing cheer to the winter nights, is to pray for rain in the dry summer
10. Japanese culture
A ski holiday in Japan isn’t just about enjoying your time on the slopes – it’s also an opportunity to embrace a new culture, be it taking part in an elaborate tea ceremony, sleeping on a futon in a ryokan (guest house) or tacking on a couple of days in hectic Tokyo or the more serene Kyoto. When it comes to food, Japanese cuisine makes a tasty change to your usual resort fare of burgers or Bolognese. You can slurp on a bowl of steaming hot udon noodles, tuck into winter delicacies such as taraba-gani (snow crab – caught in the waters off Hokkaido) or gorge yourself on hearty winter warmers like chanko nabe, a delicious stew of seafood, meat, tofu and vegetables, said to be a favourite with sumo wrestlers

Bansko is Bulgaria’s # 1 ski resort, having the best and most modern ski centre of all Bulgarian ski resorts. During the recent years a multi-million euros investment in a brand new skiing area has been made by Yulen, the company which has the licence to run the skiing area of the resort. Bansko has the best snow record and the longest ski season (15 Dec – 15 May) of all Bulgarian ski resorts. During the last couple of years this resort is under a massive investment process with new hotels and resort facilities being under construction. A brand new resort area with super luxury hotels and holiday apartments is being developed just opposite the Gondola, which also makes Bansko the resort with the best hotels. The town of Bansko is situated nearby the river Glazane (left feeder of Mesta River) in the north- eastern foot of Pirin, right bellow the highest and most beautiful part of the mountain. Its name comes from the old Bulgarian word “ban”, which means “master”. It is just 160 kilometers away from Sofia and 6 kilometers from Razlog. Bansko has developed into a favourite ski & snowboard destination, thanks to the excellent ski facilities combined with the unique architecture and historical significance.
The town of Bansko is located on 925 m. above sea level, and its skiing area is on 2000-2600 m. The Pirin mountain has a predominantly Alpine character and highest peak in the area is Vihren 2914 m.
The ski pistes are located in two main ski – centres- CHALIN VALOG (1100-1600m) and SHILIGARNIKA (1700-2500m). They are approximately 10 kilometers above the town on the northern slopes of Pirin, and are easily accessible for approx. 25 minutes on the new Gondola lift which starts from Bansko. The total length of the marked pistes is 65 kilometers.
Although the resort is world famous for not more than 10 years it has a lot to offer to its guests. The resort has excellent snow conditions with great snow cover from December untill May.
44 Technoalpine snow cannons cover most of the slopes and make the ski season last longer. The maximum pleasure from the various ski pistes is guaranteed by 12 Kassbohrer slope maintenance vehicles. Thus the slopes offer runs and tracks for all types of skiers and will suit both beginners and experts.
The snowboard lovers can enjoy the first on the Balkans fun park where people from all over the world are lead by the passion of the extreme. They can build jumps suiting their taste and abilities.
Every day skiers and snowboarders can take part in the competitions on the new piste on Shiligarnika.
The lifts and pistes operator in Bansko takes care for the maximum comfort of the skier and snowboarders with the exclusive 8-seats Gondola cable car by Dopplemayer, five 4- seat lifts of the latest Doppelmayer models, one 3-seat lift by Poma, 7 drags and 10 baby drags. The total length of the wire equipment in the resort is 26 kilometers. All ski equipment can be used by one chip-card from SkiData.
Huge monitors showing pictures from the different pistes is based on the starting station of the Gondola. Thus people will have more information of the wind and temperature conditions before climbing up on the slope.
Slalom and Giant slalom runs are available. Bansko offers a cross-country track with a total length of 5 km. A 3 km ski run Rollbahn track is situated 2 km far from the town.
APRES SKI
The unique combination of a well developed mountain resort and a living historical town turns it into an elegant place for entertainment. Virtually every house has its own story to tell, which indeed can turn your vacation into a journey to the Bulgarian traditions. The traditional Bansko taverns (called “Mehana”), with their exceptional charm and style offer local atmosphere by their cuisine and good selection of Bulgarian wines. Most of the local “Mehanas” even offer live folk music. Many local cafes and bars offer refreshments. Discos and night clubs work without time limit, and usually close early in the morning.
PLACES TO GO Of course there’s a lot to see in the town of Bansko itself, with around 120 cultural and historical monuments will have a lot to explore. Various souvenir shops offer the creations of the local artists and smiths.
Bansko is known to be unique site with international significance for the international tourism. Except for the beautiful Pirin Mountain the town possesses rich historical sites. Remains from ancient fortresses in the Staroto Gradishte site, are situated just four kilometers in western direction and the Ulen site along the Demianitsa river flow. Nearby Staroto Gradishte site there are Thracian mound hills.
South of Bansko is situated the National Park Pirin included in the UNESCO list for cultural and natural sightseeing. The park is rich with its lakes, waterfalls, caves, venerable trees and historical sites. Bansko together with Dobrinishte are also famous for their mineral springs, the reserve Bayovi dupki- Djindjiritsa. See more about Bansko’s history here.
We also recommend a visit to the famous Rila Monastery and the busy city of Sofia. For trips of interest, please make reservation here.
ACCOMMODATION & CATERING
Being the biggest ski resort of Bulgaria, practically Bansko offers great opportunities in this respect satisfying visitors of different financial means.
There are many luxury hotels (plus one five star hotel), holiday apartments as well as more than 40 small family hotels. We strongly recommend you arrange your hotel and additional skiing service before you go to Bansko, as the resort is quite busy during the winter. Bansko is very different from the older ski resorts of
Borovets or Pamporovo, which were specially designed skiing centres. Bansko combines great skiing, beautiful nature and historical significance.
MEDICAL & DENTAL SERVICE
The Emergency SKI PATROL service is available 24 hours a day. Ambulance and clinic (with doctor and nurse) are available, as well as first aid, on all ski slopes. Fully equipped and functioning hospitals is available in Bansko. Highly qualified dentists are available at the resort too. Pharmacies are also available at the resort.

Some medical and all dental services must be paid in cash to the doctors (clinics). They should provide the necessary bills, receipts and invoices describing the service and the cost, so that you can claim back the expense to your insurance company. It’s recommended you call your insurance company and
inform them in case of injury

Salt Lake City’s Wasatch Mountains are home to 7 world-class mountain ski resorts, all within 30 to 45 minutes from the Salt Lake Valley. An abundance of beautiful sunny days, various terrains to suit everyone’s needs, and quick access up the canyons, makes Skiing Salt Lake a very wise choice for your next ski vacation.
Here is list of mountains around Salt Lake City for Skiing:

Snowbird:

* 85 runs, 2500 skiable acres
* 29 miles from airport, in Little Cottonwood Canyon
* small slopeside pedestrian village
* look for Kids Ski Free deals
* Mining Camp fun park
* combined Alta-Snowbird pass gives skiers 4700 acres
* many programs for kids including nursery and child and youth night-time programs
* condo lodging
* flagship accommodation: Cliff Lodge & Spa

Alta

* skiers-only!
* 115 runs, 2200 acres
* 33 miles from the airport
* handful of lodges, condos, restaurants
* ski into neighboring Snowbird (with the right pass)
* ski school, day care, Children’s Ski Adventure Center

Brighton:

* 66 runs, 1050 acres
* 35 miles from airport, at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon
* combined Sol-Bright pass adds Solitude resort
* popular with teens and ‘boarders
* known for terrain parks
* voted #1 for Child/Family Friendly Terrain by local parenting magazine
* skiiing, boarding, any day, all season: kids under 10 ski free
* many lessons available, including Kinder Lessons for ages 4 to 7
* affordable slopeside Brighton Lodge has 20 rooms

Solitude:

* 64 runs, 1200 acres
* 28 miles from the airport, in Big Cottonwood Canyon
* Ski School with kids’ programs
* attractive “village” has ski-in, ski-out condos and inn, restaurants, grocery store, ice-rink, Club Solitude club-house with heated outdoor pool and whirlpools, theatre that shows family movies, games rooms, and lounge

The Canyons:

* Utah’s largest ski and snowboard resort has 152 runs, 3700 skiable acres, 8 mountains
* 33 miles from SLC airport, 4 miles from Park City’s historic Main Street
* kids programs include all-day daycare for ages 2-3 with 1 hour lesson
* teen clinics, terrain park clinics
* slopeside Grand Summit Resort Hotel is a AAA Four Diamond-rated property with outdoor heated pool, gourmet dining, etc. Nearby “ruggedly elegant” Sundial Lodge has rooftop hot tub, outdoor heated pool, lodgings from studios to multi-bedroom condominiums. Both offer ski-free packages.
* surrounding village has food, shops

Park City Mountain Resort:

* so close to Park City that “Town Lift” is actually in the historic part of town
* over 104 runs, 3300 skiable acres, 6-pack lifts
* 37 miles from SLC airport
* Fast Tracks passes skip lineups, and are free w/ 4+ multi-day tickets
* 4 terrain parks, Olympic Superpipe
* Kids Mountain School
* many services, & lodging options

Deer Valley:

* 90 runs, 1750 acres
* chic skiers-only spot with top-of-the-line services
* 36 miles to airport
* childrens’ ski programs, age 3 and up; teen ski programs; child care, 2 months to 12 yrs. old
* Tricks n’ Turns (TNT) terrain park for family fun, with features for novices

The seven ski spots around Salt Lake City are so close that if you want a low-cost mega-snow vacation can stay in a motel in Salt Lake City (as low as $39) and ski / snowboard at a different spot each day. More information about each one of the resorts you can find here.

The snow transforms the Adelboden-Frutigen holiday and leisure resort region into a spectacular winter arena. In this big resort you just need to follow your pleasure and ski or enjoy magical winter walks in Adelboden’s sunshine.

This year will be full of adrenaline for those of you who love winter sports and will visit this great Switzerland ski resort. Adelboden celebrates the official arrival of winter with its traditional Winterylute festival and Christmas Market at the Dorfplatz on Saturday 16 December 2006.
For sports fans, the real highlight must be the FIS Ski World Cup for Men: on Saturday 6 January 2007 there’s the Giant Slalom event and on Sunday 7 January 2007 the Slalom. On both days there will be an attractive supporting programme.

A traditional and at times hazardous spectacle takes place on Sunday 18 January 2007 with the Hornschlittenrennen Sledge Race. Well over 100 teams of two will race at breakneck speed down Chuenisbargli towards the finishing line.

The weekend of 17/18 March 2007 sees the Swiss Skibock Championships – an open event featuring this unique mix of ski and sledge. Typically Adelboden in character, it’s something for young and old, local or visitor to take part in. Spectacular duals on an exciting course coupled with a festival atmosphere on TschentenAlp.

These guys and girls are so clearly headed to reach the summit of this plateu in the Alps mountains and make their trip to below, that if you love skiing you would most probably say “I want to be there too…”.

One of the most frequent questions people ask is “Where’s the best skiing in the Alps?”. It’s not a question with an easy answer but the only way to find out is to experience it by yourself.

Rusutsu is one of Japan’s most popular resorts all the year round. Just 90 minutes by bus from Sapporo’s Chitose International Airport and one hour from Niseko, Snowave operates regular day tours to Rusutsu throughout the winter, plus we offer 3 and 7 night accommodation packages.If you don’t like sharing when it comes to untracked powder then Rusutsu is the place for you.For winter 2005/06 The Rusutsu Powder Lodge is a great value, self-catered lodge accommodation right in the heart town and just minutes from the lifts.The main advantage Rusutsu has over other resorts in Hokkaido is the accessibility of the tree runs and back country. It’s possible to ski straight off the lifts and into the best tree skiing in Hokkaido and then ski straight back out onto the lifts. This means on any given day, you get more powder turns and thus more “bang for your buck”.

For those not quite ready to negotiate deep snow the groomed runs are amazing. Groomed to perfection they resemble gigantic freeways with long consistent fall-lines, perfect for those wanting to warm up their powder legs. For the kids there is a host of activities in and around the Rusutsu Resort hotel including tubing, dog sledding and snowmobiling.
The town of Rusutsu comprises the Rusutsu Resort Hotel and a handful of pensions, restaurants and a new sports bar called the ‘Cricket Bar’ that serves pizzas, boutique beers and has a large screen TV.
Rusutsu has 3 main mountains – East, West and Mt Isola. They offer amazing variety and some awesome natural terrain features not found in other resorts. The backcountry is superb, with just a 20 minute hike you can access long steep chutes or a myriad of tree runs. There’s also night skiing till 8pm.
Add to this one of the best half-pipes and snow-parks in the area and you have a resort which offers everything that the other resorts offer without having to share.