If you’re planning a winter ski trip in Europe, here is a look at some of the best destinations.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is one of the best-preserved cities north of the Alps, and the fourth largest city in Austria. The nation offers many ski resorts, second only to Switzerland, with a cozier and less expensive experience.
The town of Salzburg is the most beautiful in the winter season when blankets of snow turn it into a winter wonderland, and there are few tourists to bump elbows with. Skiing the Austrian Alps offers a skiers paradise, with snow shuttles taking guests to a majority of the area resorts.
Consider heading to the Gasteinertal Valley in the south of Salzburg. Here you’ll find world renowned skiing as well as natural hot springs to soothe your sore body after a long day out of the slopes. In late winter, skiers will often enjoy sunny blue skies along with great skiing conditions. There are over 220 kilometers of beautifully maintained snowy slopes with 50 cable cars and ski lefts.
The Hotel Weisse Taube offers a charming comfortable stay in the center of town with a wonderful free breakfast that includes breads, cheese, egg, cereal, fruit and yogurt; very reasonably priced.
Riksgränsen, Sweden
Riksgränsen is in the land of the midnight sun and the world’s northernmost ski resort at 200 km above the Arctic Circle where the mountains of Sweden, Norway and Finland meet. Here you can ski from late February when the climate is a bit more temperate, all the way up through midsummer and even ski under the midnight sun.
With blankets and blankets of snow everywhere you look and few lines on the lifts, and in the heart of northern lights territory, this is one of the most spectacularly beautiful places to ski on the planet. Keep in mind that Riksgränsen is rather isolated. If you appreciate the wild and remote, you’ll love it here. If you’re a city person, you may not.
The Riksgränsen hotel is well kept with a warm and friendly staff and rooms have a Scandinavian feel. Enjoy the delicious reindeer stew at the bar. This is a perfect place for a true winter getaway.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt is in the district of Visp, with the village situated at the feet of Switzerland’s highest peaks. The ski resort is in the shadow of the world-renowned Matterhorn and is considered the country’s best all-around ski resort. There is a good argument for it being even the best in the entire world. All three ski-areas are open from late November through early May, with a glacier area that is open even through summer.
March and April are actually the best times of the year to ski Zermatt. The days are warmer and longer and often you’ll find fresh dumps of powder at night, while the weather during the day is warm and sunny. The best value for accommodation is arguably at the Bella Vista Hotel. Here you’ll find a true Swiss chalet run by the same family for the past 50 years. It offers peace and tranquility with views of the Matterhorn from your private balcony.
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