Many of us already want some snow, cause Winter is nearly here! We’re tempted to get lost in a white snow paradise and disconnect from the humdrum world. There are many ski mountains inall Europe, but which one shouldn’t you miss? Let us recommend you some…
1. Grandvalira, Andorra
Considered one of the best resorts in the world, Grandvalira is the option to consider if you’re in search of the most exciting freestyle. You can challenge and play with gravity in any of the four great snow parks scattered throughout the station and try all the modules and jumps that are available here. It is a season of extreme sensations and fun in the most playful side of snow sports.
Moreover, it‘s the largest ski area in the Pyrenees with 205 km and a minimum height from 1,710 m in the lower part up to 2640 m in the upper bound. It’s remarkable the great quantity of red and blue slopes in the resort, and especially the black ones, clearly designed to fully enjoy the snow! It also offers a huge variety of options for après-ski life, and we strongly advise you to stay at least one night in the stunning Iglu Hotel!
2. Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria
Saalbach is one of the places that offer more possibilities to ski. If you prefer to feel the adventure of getting lost among trees, make new itineraries, ski routes of completely virgin powder snow, this is your resort. The off-piste adventure is the great strength of Saalbach in Austria.
One of the most gratifying things about this place is the attention to rider / skier. They have an eight-seater chairlift (normally it’s four) with hot seats and a special coating that can be lowered in case of bad weather during the journey from the head to the destination. Something highly appreciated since the time on the chairlift is the only time we have to relax and enjoy the views.
3. Sierra Nevada, Spain
Sierra Nevada is the highest station of ski in Spain and one of the highest points in Europe. With over 102 km of pistes, the chances of enjoying the snow are enormous. The upper bound of 3300 meters means you can ski almost near the Veleta peak, the second highest point of the Sierra Nevada. Being less than 30 minutes from the Mediterranean makes your snow is very special, maintaining large properties even in spring due to the particular climate and allowing you rush to the last day of enjoying a pretty good snow conditions season.
One of the most amazing things in here is that, from the highest skiable point on a clear sunny day, you can clearly see the Mediterranean and even the North African coast when you’re about to drop by the stunning area of La Laguna.
4. Saas-Fee, Switzerland
The pearl of the Alps, that’s how the Saas-Fee station is known in Switzerland, in the canton of Valais. One of the highest resorts in the world, it offers the possibility to ski in summer thanks to a glacier located between the 3,330 and 3,600 meters, something completely different from the traditional winter ski we all know, mainly cause you can wear lighter warm clothes while enjoying the snow in a pretty atypical Summer!
5. Geilo, Norway
One of the most beautiful experiences you can live in sk is to enjoy that part of nature that man has been unable to manipulate or transform in some way. Geilo is a lost season in Norway with over 200 km of ski slopes in background. At about 250 km from Oslo, the best way to arrive is by train in one of the best railway journeys in the world for the amazing scenery that can be seen.
Geilo is surrounded by large frozen lakes that you can ski around. It’s a great choice if you are looking for complete independence in the mountain, away from crowded big resorts where you can just ski to be surrounded by a natural environment that cannot be found in any other station.
Photos: Jean-Christophe Bisoux, Henning Andersson, Hernán Piñera, Audun Bakke Andersen and Alpine Light & Structure
