Whether you want to make skiing the leitmotiv of a family trip, an exclusive and glamorous experience or a good dose of adrenaline in the mountains, we show you three unique ways to experience skiing, snow and winter.
Skiing was invented thousands of years ago in northern Europe by the Sami, who used wooden slats to move across the snow. The Norwegian Sondre Nordheim was the pioneer of modern skiing, as he made important technical innovations in both skis and equipment. The sport began to become popular among the European high society of the 1920s thanks to the first Winter Olympic Games and the first World Ski Championships, held in Chamonix in 1924.
Since then, the passion for skiing has not stopped growing. Skiing is much more than a sport, it is a journey in itself. Skiing or living any of the experiences related to snow allows you to be in contact with nature and discover some of the most beautiful places and landscapes on the planet. Ski trips are ideal to be enjoyed as a family even if not all members of the same family ski or have the same level. There are endless activities related to skiing and the mountains, suitable for all ages, tastes and needs.
Classic alpine luxury
The Alps are home to some of the best ski resorts and resorts in the world. Here, it is possible to ski on-piste or off-piste. For the more daring, an exclusive heliskiing experience allows you to ski in three different countries in a single day. For those looking to connect with nature, snowshoeing excursions with mindful walking, breathing the fresh mountain air and quieting the mind.
In the Alps, Val d’Isère is, for many, one of the best places in the world for skiing. Together with Tignes, it forms the so-called Espace Killy. With more than 300 skiable kilometers, this area is a paradise for any skiing enthusiast. The resort of Val d’Isère, which hosted the World Ski Championships in 2009, also allows skiing in summer on the two glaciers that surround it.
Throughout this alpine area, there are numerous picturesque villages with exclusive mountain chalets that add a touch of glamour to the snow experience and invite you to enjoy many more activities such as ice skating, a dog sled ride or end the day with a relaxing bath in an outdoor jacuzzi, at the foot of the mountain or with an intense day of shopping. And all this without forgetting the gourmet part of the trip, tasting the best of French and Italian cuisine next to a warm fireplace and accompanied by the best wines of the area.
Welcome to the Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains of Colorado, in the United States, are one of the best places in the world to enjoy skiing. The so-called “Rocky Mountains” were ranked by the prestigious Lonely Planet magazine in 2015 as the second place in its list of “Top places” to visit that year. In winter, the thick snow caps that cover the Rockies for months, recreate a spectacular white landscape, unique and unforgettable for any nature lover.
Imagine a few days with your family in an exclusive lodge in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where it is possible to combine alpine skiing with Nordic skiing, snowshoeing or a cat-skiing experience. This type of skiing consists of climbing to the top of a mountain on a retrack equipped to transport several people, which can reach where the cable cars and chairlifts cannot. The adrenaline of the descent is guaranteed! And all this enlivened and complemented with other activities such as yoga, sauna, the comforting après-ski massages and an exquisite gastronomy where you can even dare to have a picnic in the snow. In this way, the mountain in winter is no longer the private preserve of experienced skiers and each traveler can create and enjoy their own snow experience to their liking.
Skiling on an island
Iceland is a country whose genesis of volcanic origin and its position touching the Arctic Circle gives it geological, geographical and climatological particularities that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Tröllaskagi is a mountainous peninsula located in the north of the island, 400km from the capital Reykjavik. Here, the mountains are a bit higher and dotted with small glaciers that keep the snow cold and fresh. Mount Kerling is the highest point, at 1,538 meters.
On the peaks of Tröllaskagi, the more adventurous can live an unforgettable heli-skiing experience. The long descents over the North Atlantic Ocean, with a vertical of 915 meters, are framed by endless sunsets and the incomparable view of fjords and bays.
The terrain is unlimited and even veteran skiers will find new places to explore. This area offers a multitude of possibilities for ski mountaineering, with different itineraries and slopes, from extreme descents to summits with gentler and more manageable slopes.
One of the peculiarities of Iceland is the long daylight hours during the spring, which allows you to choose the best time of day to ski and even make a descent after dinner.
Skiing, however, is only part of the Icelandic adventure. You can also kayak the fjords, ride Iceland’s famous horses, spot whales and puffins, bathe in the island’s signature hot springs and explore the unique volcanic terrain of the planet’s newest landmass.
