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There are many excellent locations for skiing holidays in Europe, but one of the most popular is France, with its many world class resorts.

Ski Resorts in France

The incredible French Alps offer a huge selection of ski resorts, including some of the more luxurious at Morzine, Tignes, Chamonix and Les Arcs.  All of these areas cater for all abilities, from the experts to those who have never put on a pair of skis before in their life.  There are lessons available at most resorts catering to all experience levels.  Another popular area for skiing in France is Three Valleys, which is the world’s largest ski area, and which offers eight resorts.  There are also more family-orientated areas such as the Pyrenees, the Vosges, the Jura and the Massif Central.

Accommodation

Most resorts offer both luxurious and more affordable accommodation, again catering to all types of people from all different backgrounds.  Depending on the type of holiday desired, visitors can either enjoy themselves with a fully catered resort holiday, or choose to live more independently by deciding on self-catered accommodation in an apartment, villa or chalet.

When to Go

Naturally the busiest period at French ski resorts is during the winter months.  However, cheaper and less crowded holidays can be booked in March, when the weather is a bit warmer, or January, when people look to rest after a hectic festive period.
With affordable accommodation and magnificent scenery, consider a skiing holiday in France.

Despite being a small principality Andorra, nestled in the Pyreness, can offer some surprisingly good value skiing holiday deals.  Couple this with the advantage of tax free shopping and reasonably priced food and drink, and ski holidays in Andorra become accessible and affordable.

The main resorts in Andorra are Arinsal, Pas de la Casa, Ordino-Arcalis, Soldeu and El Tarter.

Arinsal has excellent facilities for beginners and can provide good value skiing holiday deals.  Arinsal, Pal and Ordino-Arcalis are even covered by one single ski pass, thus opening the area up from your base in Arinsal.  Free lift passes for children are often available when booking with an adult.  Free lift passes are also available for under five year olds and over 70 year olds, making this an excellent choice for all generations.

The highest ski resort in Andorra is Pas de la Casa, set within the large Grand Valira ski region.  At an altitude of 2,050 metres high, skiing conditions are excellent in Pas de la Casa as snow is guaranteed.  Transfer time from Toulouse Airport is around two hours and 45 minutes.  Since buses are not permitted in the centre, a short walk will be necessary in order to reach central accommodation, with luggage delivered.

Soldeu and El Tarter are slightly smaller resorts, still with good altitude at 1,800 metres and part of the Grand Valira ski region.  With ski schools and 56 easy runs, this resort suits beginners and families with children.  The Gran Valira resorts are linked via a network of ski lifts, with Soldeu and El Tarter having some of the more traditional tree lined runs.

Ski holidays in Andorra can be booked through a travel agent or online.

Christmas on the ski slopes can be magical and is partly the reason why it has become a peak period in the skiing calendar.  Prices are not for the fainthearted, but it is still possible to secure Christmas skiing deals.  To offset the cost, it is worth remembering that being away from relatives at Christmas can often excuse the obligation of buying gifts for them.  Christmas on the slopes can provide great memories and the best skiing 2011.

Christmas prices are often lower the week before Christmas and not as expensive as the week immediately following New Year’s Eve.  Some of the more exclusive hotels in resorts such as Zermatt or St Moritz insist upon a minimum booking of a fortnight, but to the average skier, the high end of the luxe market is unlikely to be a consideration.

Austrian resorts are particularly scenic, with architecture veering always towards the picture postcard effect.  With the addition of Christmas markets and Alpine scenery, the draw of Christmas on the slopes can prove irresistible.  Obergurgl and Zell Am See are two of the most popular Austrian resorts at Christmas.

Switzerland is a failsafe option for picturesque scenery at Christmas.  With beautiful villages and stunning backdrops, Switzerland has all the traditional Christmas charm required.  Grindelwald, Interlaken and Saas Fee are regarded as three of the best.

Val D’Isere in France dates back 700 years and is therefore a huge draw at Christmas with its traditional and quaint architecture.  Many resorts in France have been purpose built within the last 50 years, but Val D’Isere retains its authentic charm.

To book Christmas ski breaks, contact your travel agent for the best skiing in 2011.

Skiers and celebrities alike choose Vail, Colorado for their skiing holiday deals 2011.

Often compared to European Alpine ski resorts, Vail has mountain lodges, small hotels and deluxe resorts.  Fine dining, spa facilities and shopping galore round out this unique town’s charm.  There are even heated sidewalks so you can enjoy a stroll down the streets after a long day of skiing.  Known for its nightlife, there is something for every taste.  Quaint piano bars, jazz clubs and dance clubs fill with visitors enjoying their Vail holiday.    

Vail has nearly seven miles of mountain front with 127 trails.  There are also 9 kilometres of back bowl ski areas, promising something for skiers of all abilities, and enough trails and ski lifts to try something new every day for your entire holiday.  

Two miles back in the mountainous wilderness, yet easily accessible by ski lifts, is Blue Sky Basin.  Stop and enjoy the vast panoramic views of pristine white snow.  The area is well-maintained but covered with pines and still holds its natural beauty.  You’ll feel hidden from civilization and alone with nature while only being a short distance from the comforts of Vail.    

Children and adult ski lessons are readily available.  Guides are also available, and their vast knowledge of the area can expose you to trails that you might not have considered on your own.    
Exclusive and often expensive, for the best skiing holiday deals 2011 you can consider staying nearby in Avon to save money on lodging.  However, to truly experience all Vail has to offer, spend as much time as possible enjoying this beautiful town in the mountains of Colorado.

The Arlberg ski area is actually five lovely little towns surrounded by mountains.  Each individual town offers a wide variety of options for resorts and activities.  Ski holidays in Arlberg will provide a range of challenging slopes to satisfy skiers of every level.  Some of the most popular runs are at the Valluga, the Schindler and Kapall, which each offer nearly a full mile of vertical skiing.

St. Anton is the largest and the most active of the resort areas.  St. Anton is known to attract a young and active crowd with many après-ski activities for those seeking an entertaining nightlife.

Lech and Zurs are quite popular with the international crowd, even attracting celebrities.  These areas offer exquisite scenery, five star lodging and stunning chalets.  Transportation between the two ski areas is available by bus.  There are three mountains close to Lech and Zurs for all levels of skiing.  If you plan your ski holidays in Arlberg, you will not be disappointed by the available amenities and skiing options.

Above Lech is Oberlech, a secluded town popular with those travelling with children.  There are several ski-in and ski-out resorts.  Oberlech is only accessible in the winter by a cable car from Lech.

Stuben is a smaller town with a quiet atmosphere and several unmarked and ungroomed runs.  For something different, consider night skiing or sledding on the two mile sled run.

With all these options, ski holidays in Arlberg will certainly meet every traveller’s needs.

One of the most popular winter destinations for British travellers is the Alps, with thousands of people each year heading to the mountains to take on the slopes.  Although the Alpine mountain range is huge, the most popular places to ski are in France and Switzerland, though there are also resorts in Austria, Germany and Italy.  France and Switzerland tend to continue to have the most visited ski resorts, though, thanks to the large number of resorts in each country and their ease of access from the UK by EuroStar train or air.

Most people flock to the Alps for one reason only; winter sports.  The Alps offer some of the best skiing and snowboarding, along with the famed ‘après ski’ night life, in Europe and the wide range of different resorts and runs mean that skiers of every skill level are easily accommodated.  This wide range of resorts also means that it is easy for those thinking about an Alpine break to find their perfect holiday, as there are a huge selection of different packages available based on budget, need, skill and location.

Although most well known as a winter area, the Alps are starting to become a good place to visit in the summer as well.  While a great many resorts still close their doors during the summer months, some have started to stay open to take advantage of the summertime activities available in the region.  This has turned the Alps into a summer hub for those who enjoy mountain biking, hiking, kayaking and white water rafting.

For the best skiing 2011, Tignes, France offers five villages comprising this beautiful ski area in the south of France.

The first three, Tignes le Lac, Val Claret, and Le Lavachet are clustered together.  The stunning Grande Motte Glacier stands behind these towns and provides nearly year-round ski opportunities.

Les Boisses and Les Brevieres are near the dam and down the valley from the other three towns.

These areas boast piste and off-piste as well as wide, treeless trails.  For adventurists, there is a challenging vertical drop of 1,400 metres and the opportunity to try the pipe where champion skiers have trained.  An underground road and parking area makes access to the glacier easy and is a unique feature of a holiday in Tignes.

The Tignes area is a favourite with intermediate and advanced skiers because of its close proximity to the glacier and extreme skiing opportunities.  Those looking for more après-ski activities and beginner trails may wish to stay in nearby Val D’Isere.

Apartment-style hotels and self-catered apartments, chalets and traditional resort hotels are all available.  Although maintaining a small town atmosphere, there are shops and restaurants available with enough variety to find something for all travellers.  The five areas, as well as nearby Val d’Isere, have reliable bus transportation so you can sample all the trails and towns.

With access to such a wide variety of ski trails and towns to explore, for the best skiing 2011, Tignes, France will delight the ski enthusiast.

For the best skiing holiday deals 2011, consider St. Moritz.  This exclusive resort area is considered to be to Switzerland what Hollywood is to California.  Frequented by the rich and famous, St. Moritz and the towns surrounding it offer the decadence and services desired by the most discerning of travellers.

St. Moritz has hosted two winter Olympics as well as several ski championships, which should clearly prove its excellence in offering challenging skiing for moderate to advanced enthusiasts.

With bus transportation between the three main skiing areas, skiers can enjoy the well-marked rolling slopes of Corviglia or venture on to more challenging runs.

Corvatsch is another option for skiers.  The peak is 11,000 feet at the highest.  Skiing begins at Silvaplana about half way down.  The ski runs here are suitable for more beginning and intermediate level skiers.

Diavolezza, in translation meaning She-Devil, has slopes for advanced skiers looking for a challenge.  This includes a ten kilometre slope down the Morteratsch Glacier.  The train station greets the skiers at the end of this challenging run.

Advanced skiers looking for something different might take a helicopter to the top of a mountain and ski down.  Reportedly, one-third of the runs around St. Moritz are black runs, so challenges and adventures are plentiful, making this among the best skiing holiday deals 2011.

The rolling hills directly around St. Moritz are popular with cross country skiers offering something for everyone.

With plush resorts, exquisite food, plenty of shopping and skiing for every taste, St. Moritz is a first-class choice for that skiing holiday deals 2011.

Located in the Pyrennees mountains between the border of Spain and France, skiing holiday deals in Andorra offer great value for the price.  Andorra is a small but prosperous country that offers modern facilities and a lively nightlife as well.  It is an ideal place for first time skiers, anyone looking for fairly inexpensive ski holiday deals, or for large group parties such as from a school or business.

With Andorra’s fairly long snow season, there is plenty of snow, but there is plenty of sunshine too, making skiing in Andorra a very popular place for the British or European crowd.  The country’s predominantly mountainous terrain makes it a ski haven, but summer resorts abound, as well.

Ski holidays in Andorra are known for being cost-effective and duty-free, which attracts crowds of all ages.  With its gentle and well-groomed landscape and skiing schools, Andorra has a very impressive set of ski slopes for beginning skiers, as well as more rugged slopes for the advanced skier.

Andorra is a perfect spot for a family holiday.  Numerous ski resorts boast modern lifts, snowmaking machines, child facilities, and new snow parks.

Aside from skiing, Andorra has an impressive set of restaurants, featuring Spanish and Mediterranean meals.

Andorra played a key role during World War II as it was a prime smuggling point for bringing over supplies into France during Germany’s occupation.  After World War II, it then became known as a tourist destination.

Austria can be an expensive place to take a ski holiday with some exclusive resorts such as Lech. However, it is possible to find good skiing deals in Austria.

The Bregenzerwald region lies in Vorarlberg.   It has more than 200 kilometres of skiing in three locations.  Damuls-Mellau has 89 kilometres, Warth-Schrocken 66 kilometres and Au-Schoppernau has 45 kilometres.   All of these areas are linked by free buses and a single lift pass is valid for all the areas.

The exclusive and expensive resort of Lech is visible from Warth-Schrocken, yet the prices in Bregenzerwald are much lower than Lech.  The Bregenzerwald region offers good snow cover which is reliable and the accommodation is good value for money.  The family run hotels attract a lot of families and couples so the après ski tends to be a bit tame when compared to other resorts.

Another good option for those looking for cheap skiing holiday deals is Soll in SkiWelt.  The SkiWelt area has a network of over 250 kilometres of pistes with 91 ski lifts.  The runs are not especially challenging, but cruising down the runs can still be enjoyable.  The area also has more than 70 mountain top restaurants and there are nine ski villages.

The village of Soll is small, but the après ski is lively.  Skiers can enjoy the cheap beer whilst dancing well into the night.  The famous Soll Whisky Muhle disco is well worth visiting.  For those wanting a more peaceful ski holiday, Soll does have its quieter side and it is popular with families.