Article Written By: katieb
The right ski jacket, the cool scarf and all were the easy options, but choosing the right ski resort can be difficult to negotiate, and is costly if you get it wrong. Packed lifts and falsely-advertised difficulty levels can be a pain, as well as misleading quotes for distances and the quality of the après. Take a look at this guide and find the ski resort that suits you down to the boots:Lech, Austria: Probably the most opulent resort in Austria, Lech offers its snow-sure slopes in. It is well within striking distance of the tougher St Anton slopes for those who have been fortunate enough to have many a season under their belts, and its standard of hotels is high enough to ensure the utmost comfort and the best après atmosphere. Frequented as much for its affluent lifestyle as for its variety of slopes and location, sunny Lech is by far and away your best choice if your ski holiday means splashing out.Pal, Andorra: For those wanting something a little more reminiscent of the untouched and wild feel, the small Catalan village of Pal and its pistes is a great Andorran ski destination. The wooded slopes and picturesque heights make for a breathtaking day's skiing. For the expert there might not be quite so much here, but the reds from the summit are steep enough for the practised intermediate, while there are also enough gentle slopes for beginners to get a feel for things just by the base lodge.Chamonix, France: Ensconced high in the Alps and watermarked by the looming edifice of Mont Blanc is Chamonix, an resort with an incredible variety of winter sports activities on offer, and is one of the most popular resorts in the French resort category. For those wanting off-trail and snowboarding as well as the piste slopes, this is an excellent destination. Furthermore many people visit Chamonix for its snowmobiling, ice climbing and other activities. Après in Chamonix is renowned for its all-round quality, whether it be a bar, restaurant or even a casino you're after.Engelberg, Switzerland: If you're tired of the unfulfilled promises of intermediate resorts offering 'something for the expert', then take yourself off to Engelberg and take the plunge. With the second most snow-secure rating in Switzerland and great lifts it opens well, and at the Titlis peak (3,020m) you can decide for yourself when you see the black slopes of the untracked Laub whether or not you've bitten off more than you can chew. The resort offers great snowboard parks, plateaux for skaters and pristine landscapes to draw in the spinally-challenged.Bressanone (Brixen), Italy: If you want a healthy measure of culture to go along with your crisp slopes, look no further than Brixen, a kind of wintry hub situated in beautiful South Tirol. As a major mountain city throughout history, the cultural smorgasbord translates into fantastic architecture, art and fantastic retail therapy and dining opportunities. For those who tire quickly of the skiing and still want their days bursting with exciting activities, Brixen has everything to offer.Remember: ladies clothing such as ski jacket, hat, gloves, hotels, slopes, lifts, après – this checklist should ensure your skiing holiday is one to remember.
This Article Has Been Published on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 and Read 196 Times