Giuseppe Distefano/Caters News
The first thing you think of when you hear “European ski resorts” is undoubtedly the Alps. What better place to ski or snowboard than on these majestic, renowned peaks which straddle the countries of France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria? Indeed, the Alps hold a cherished spot at the very heart of European skiing history. However, if you’re looking to spice up your ski holidays this year without flying to the four corners of the world, this article is for you. Whether it’s Norway, the Czech Republic or Sicily, we’d like to introduce you to 5 ski areas that are worth the detour! Without further ado, here they are...
Yes, you can ski on Mt. Etna! This active volcano has two ski areas between 1810m and 2604m altitude: Etna North – Piano Provenzana and Etna South – Nicolosi. Together, they offer up to 16km of pistes, mostly red with some blue. How many people can say they’ve skied on an active volcano? This is for all you adrenaline junkies out there!
The largest ski area in Sweden, it’s no wonder that Åre has been chosen to host the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in 2019. This ski area has 91km of pistes, with a focus on beginner to intermediate slopes. But you’d better believe this ski area wouldn’t have been chosen as an FIS host resort if it didn’t have some black pistes! Known for being one of the best Swedish ski areas, Åre also boasts a number of off-piste routes for powder hounds.
Located in the Pirin, the highest mountain chain in Bulgaria, Bansko ski area has 48km of pistes reaching an altitude of 2560m. It’s one of the most popular ski areas in Bulgaria, thanks to its varied selection of slopes. That being said, this resort is best suited to beginners and intermediates. In fact, it’s the perfect place to learn how to ski or snowboard for the first time!
The Sierra Nevada is situated in Andalusia, in the south of Spain. The ski area has 107km of pistes for every level, plus fantastic cross-country skiing trails and a snow park with a 120m long half pipe. The ski area reaches a whopping 3282m altitude, making this Spanish resort about as snow-sure as it gets.
Bláfjöll might only have 15km of pistes, but it still qualifies as the biggest ski area in the south of Iceland. This incredible country is known for its hotsprings and volcanic landscapes, but it also gets snow during a large part of the year. Bláfjöll uses floodlit slopes to get around the long nights, enabling skiers to take advantage of the ski area for as long as possible.
What’s the most original destination you’ve ever skied at? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below!
Giuseppe Distefano/Caters News
The first thing you think of when you hear “European ski resorts” is undoubtedly the Alps. What better place to ski or snowboard than on these majestic, renowned peaks which straddle the countries of France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria? Indeed, the Alps hold a cherished spot at the very heart of European skiing history. However, if you’re looking to spice up your ski holidays this year without flying to the four corners of the world, this article is for you. Whether it’s Norway, the Czech Republic or Sicily, we’d like to introduce you to 5 ski areas that are worth the detour! Without further ado, here they are...
Yes, you can ski on Mt. Etna! This active volcano has two ski areas between 1810m and 2604m altitude: Etna North – Piano Provenzana and Etna South – Nicolosi. Together, they offer up to 16km of pistes, mostly red with some blue. How many people can say they’ve skied on an active volcano? This is for all you adrenaline junkies out there!
The largest ski area in Sweden, it’s no wonder that Åre has been chosen to host the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in 2019. This ski area has 91km of pistes, with a focus on beginner to intermediate slopes. But you’d better believe this ski area wouldn’t have been chosen as an FIS host resort if it didn’t have some black pistes! Known for being one of the best Swedish ski areas, Åre also boasts a number of off-piste routes for powder hounds.
Located in the Pirin, the highest mountain chain in Bulgaria, Bansko ski area has 48km of pistes reaching an altitude of 2560m. It’s one of the most popular ski areas in Bulgaria, thanks to its varied selection of slopes. That being said, this resort is best suited to beginners and intermediates. In fact, it’s the perfect place to learn how to ski or snowboard for the first time!
The Sierra Nevada is situated in Andalusia, in the south of Spain. The ski area has 107km of pistes for every level, plus fantastic cross-country skiing trails and a snow park with a 120m long half pipe. The ski area reaches a whopping 3282m altitude, making this Spanish resort about as snow-sure as it gets.
Bláfjöll might only have 15km of pistes, but it still qualifies as the biggest ski area in the south of Iceland. This incredible country is known for its hotsprings and volcanic landscapes, but it also gets snow during a large part of the year. Bláfjöll uses floodlit slopes to get around the long nights, enabling skiers to take advantage of the ski area for as long as possible.
What’s the most original destination you’ve ever skied at? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below!
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
