Photo by skiserradaestrela.com

Ski Serra da Estrela is a small ski resort in Portugal. It is located in the central part of the country in the mountains of Serra da Estrela, at an altitude of 1851 – 1988 metres above sea level. Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain in Portugal’s mainland and does not have any highest summit, but instead of that it is a plateau, known as Torre (Tower), measuring 1,993 meters. However the highest point of Portugal is situated on the island of Pico in the Azores and it is called Mount Pico (2,351 metres). The entire Serra da Estrela mountain range belongs to Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela.

On the highest point of Serra da Estrela is the radar station, the old observatory, and 7 m high monument in order to reach an altitude of 2000 meters. At the top you can also find a store, where you can buy mainly cheese and ham (prosciutto).

Below the mountains, on the east, is a great city of Guarda, on the south is the ski town of Covilha with an information centre of the natural park. The best starting point for hiking is the village of Manteigas situated in the middle of Natural Park.

Ski Serra da Estrela has 9 pistes with a total length of 7.7 km. There is 1 black, 4 red, 2 blue and 2 green slopes. Transportation is provided by 4 lifts and a chair lift with a total carrying capacity of 2000 persons per hour. The ski area of Serra da Estrela has also a snowpark.

The skiing season starts here usually in December and lasts to April. One-day ski-pass in high season costs €25 and €15 off-season. You can also find here a restaurant, 2 bars, ski school and ski rental services. Among favorite after-snow activities are snowshoeing, sledding and snowmobile riding.

For further information about Serra da Estrela ski resort with actual snow conditions visit official website skiserradaestrela.com.

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Sella Ronda is rare, about 37 km long ski slopes around the circuit on the Sella massif and the Kronplatz. It offers not only the great skiing but also breathtaking views of the most beautiful parts of the Dolomites, and therefore great opportunities for photography. You can pass the circuit in both directions. Following Orange mark in a clockwise direction (senso orario) – a route is 36.6 km long. Or the second option is to go in the opposite direction (senso antiorario) following green mark. This route is 38.7 km long. Each of these two destinations offer something else. Orange one offers a range of challenging slopes and is therefore suitable for more experienced skiers. Sella Ronda route takes all day to an average skiers, including the breaks for refreshments and relaxation. The circuit can be passed also within 3 hours, thanks to the local Express lifts.

Sella Ronda ski area offers in total 550 km of slopes, for all levels of skiers. There are many opportunities for the curving, freeride, alpine skiing and cross country skiing. Transport is provided by 215 lifts, whose carrying capacity is 240 000 persons per hour. Starting point to the Sella Ronda area are: Campitello and Canazei from Val di Fassa, Arabba, Colsfosco, Corvara and Val Gardena. There are also many amusement parks for children and snowboarders. You can also enjoy night skiing – in Val di Fassa (Pozza di Fassa).

In Sella Ronda there are ski school, nursery school, you can rent or buy ski equipment here. There are lots of accommodation possibilities and refreshments. There is also a range of other activities like skating, tennis, squash, bowling, paragliding, tobogganing, and much more. High season usually lasts from December to April. If you go to the Sella Ronda ski area, you must buy a lift pass Dolomiti SuperSki because special pass only to the Sella Ronda does not exist. SuperSki Dolomiti Ski Pass is wider and offers a total of 1,200 km of slopes.

Sella Ronda ski area is also famous for the race Gardenissima, which is the longest giant slalom in the world. The race was attended to not only professionals but also amateurs.

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Mullsjö Alpine Ski Center offers visitors a total of 6 ski slopes, 2 blue, 2 red, 1 green and 1 black. The resort also offers a training hill for beginners. There is also available the Big Jump for the lovers of snowboarding. Transportation in Mullsjö Alpine resort provides 5 lifts, including a conveyor belt for a child with total carrying capacity of 3900 persons per hour.

The area has a ski school, ski equipment rental, catering, accommodation near the slopes and parking. The slopes are lit because there is also night skiing available. For classical skiing there are 5 and 10 km long circuit.

High season in Mullsjö Alpine lasts from December to April. At that time, the Centre is open daily, from Monday to Friday 9 to 16 pm and weekends 9 to 17 pm. Night skiing is every Wednesday and Friday from 18 to 21:30.

Prices:
ski pass for adults is 220 SEK per day
ski pass for children under the age of 16 is 180 SEK
ski pass for children under 7 years 90 SEK
Weekly pass for adults is 860 SEK
Weekly pass for children under the age of 16 is 680 SEK
Weekly pass for children under 7 years is 310 SEK

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France – Offers the best value for money in Europe. France offers large accommodation resorts, that are situated almost always right on the slope.

Courchevel Ski Resort in Parc national de la Vanoise is one of the best ski resorts in France. It is located in the eastern part of the country, in the region of Rhône-Alpes, in Les Trois Vallées, at an altitude of 1300 – 2740m. Courchevel Ski resort is also the oldest and most luxurious ski resort in Les Trois Vallées. It offers a total of 180 km of slopes of several types. Transport is providing by 25 lifts and 40 ski-tows with a total carrying capacity of 68 350 persons per hour. Ski resort Courchevel is divided into four villages. The lowest one is Courchevel 1300 m, where you can see admire the local architecture. There are houses from the 13th century. Upper one is Courchevel 1550, which offers a nice entry to the slopes. Courchevel 1650 is another historic part with the typical wooden houses of Savoy. The highest part of Courchevel 1850 offers the best access to the lifts. After skiing you can enjoy a swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and bowling.

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Italy – Offers high quality ski slopes and higher quality of Italian accommodation standards. Another positive thing is that there are beautiful mountain sceneries. The disadvantage is that Italians are not consistent, and thus you can often find something that is out of order or goes wrong. You also should start to learn Italian before your trip.

Cortina d’Ampezzo – Olympic slopes with an international atmosphere. In 1956 there were Olympic Winter Games in the resort and became famous also far beyond the borders of Italy. Cortina d’Ampezzo is the village in the Dolomites, surrounded by peaks Tofana (3244 m), Monte Cristallo (3221 m) and Sorapis (3205 m). It is located in the Veneto region, at an altitude of 1224 m.

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Austria – Offers technically the best equipped ski resorts and also the reliability is very high. However the prices are higher, so skiing in Austria can be really expensive.

St. Anton belongs to the exclusive association of the best Alpine area – Best of the Alps. It offers comfortable St Anton hotels, but even more accommodation options in private. Despite the fact that it is becoming a bit busier resort, it has kept the pleasant and welcoming Tyrol atmosphere. The minor disadvantage of St. Anton are parking fees. Although St. Anton offers over 30 modern lifts, there are often queues in the early morning hours.

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Switzerland – here you can be sure to have snow during your skiing vacations. Switzerland offers comfortable accommodation, skiing in the middle and beautiful contrast between the modern and technologically obsolete lifts. Among the most popular ski resorts in Switzerland are Veysonnaz. It’s one of the most prestigious ski areas, situated near the highest point of Mont Fort (3300 m). Another beautiful alpine ski resort is Saas-Fee, which is located at 1 560-3 600 m. The world-famous Jungfrau ski area offers approximately 190 km of slopes and e.g. Crans Montana have beautiful scenery and excellent skiing.

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