So, sticking with Europe, there are several locations that are primary destinations for a good bit of skiing, snowboarding or whatever else takes your fancy. Most places are perfect for all types of people, whether it be families, couples or a bunch of friends. If travelling as a group, why not get some clothing to show that and do some clothes printing with Expressgarmentprinting.co.uk.

In fact, ensure that you do have the correct clothing when skiing in winter as the temperatures can fall dramatically. Wrap up in layers, remember your gloves and don’t forget your long-johns!

France

One of the most popular and obvious destinations for a lovely bit of skiing is France and the country has developed a fantastic reputation for its famous French Alps and its jet-set nature.

Saulire, 2700m, Courchevel, France by Pete southsea

On the border with Italy and Switzerland is Courchevel, the largest resort of the prestigious Three Valleys (3 Vallees) area in the Savoie province of France. The Three Valleys holds the world’s largest ski domain and has a total of 372 miles of trails and slopes; as an example of how big the area is, America’s six largest ski resorts would fit inside the Three Valleys.

Courchevel is built on four levels and is possibly the most luxurious location for skiing thanks to its expensive range of shops and bars, as well as luxury hotels; something celebrities often take advantage of, so keep your eyes peeled.

Turkey

Possibly not one of the first places you’d think of for a great skiing holiday is Turkey, but the resort of Uludag is a far cry away from warm beaches and cocktails by the pool.

Uludag range, Turkey by Bicounet

Turkey seems to have jumped on the opportunity of being able to tempt holiday goers in with their mountainous ranges, especially when there’s been some snowfall. In mythology, Uludag is the fabled Mount Olympus where the gods watched the Trojan War. However, now the mountain’s primary purpose is to reign in the tourists.

The slopes are usually open from December through to March and as well as the opportunity for skiing, the national parks are also great places to explore.

Austria

One of the more purposeful settings for skiing holidays and other extreme sports is the Austrian resort of Kitzbühel. The location has one of the most demanding runs in the form of the Hahnenkamn.

Kitzbuhel Alps, Austria by Mahmut

There are great slopes for beginners, as well more challenging slopes for those with a good deal of experience and confidence in their skiing. A great deal of investment has gone into the site and so the likes of ski lifts and other amenities have been vastly improved of late.

Also available are a fantastic array of hotels, bars and restaurants for when you’re not hitting the slopes.

About the author: Sam writes for Express Garment Printing and you can click here for great deals on printed polo shirts and printed hoodies.

The post The best European locations for a winter skiing holiday appeared first on Europe Explored.

Megeve, France by Leo-setä

Perhaps a beautiful wooden chalet in a rustic alpine hamlet nestled in a picturesque snowy valley is what you are looking for? Unfortunately the most rustic and charming ski resorts are becoming harder to find. They have either given in to the pressures of commercial skiing and grown to become larger ski resorts, struggling to hold on to the idyllic image that once made them popular, or they have rejected this path all together. In the latter scenario this means you are unlikely to be able to get much more than a token bit of skiing in, or won’t see another person all week.

So, which ski resorts  have managed to combine that ‘chocolate box’ scenery with good lift access to quality ski areas, and a fun atmosphere?

Megeve, France

Back in the 1920s, this medieval town became perhaps one of Frances first purpose built ski resorts. Thankfully they had more of an eye for picturesque detail than they did the in the 60s and 70s, so the centre of town really is reminiscent of a fairytale winter destination. The ski area is large, varied and uncrowded, though the lifts system is a little tired in places.

Grand Bornand, France

This historic farming town, also one of the closest ski resorts to Geneva, is amazingly still something of a hidden gem. The classic cobbled town square is the perfect place to grab a sunny coffee and take in the stunning views of the Aravis mountains rising above the eye catching church spire. When you get up onto the mountain things don’t change. The mountain restaurants are all beautiful old farmhouses, and the skiing, on all sides of one main peak, has plenty to keep you entertained for a few days at least.

Grand Bornand, France by Michael McKechnie

Canazei, Italy

This charming village of cobbled streets and traditional buildings is set against the jaw dropping backdrop of the Dolomites. The resort is well linked with the mighty Sella Ronda network of over 433km of pistes, which is the ideal location for those who want to clock up some miles, before settling back and enjoying Italian mountain scenery at it’s best.

Saas Fee, Switzerland

Is Saas Fee one of those resorts that ticks all the boxes? Undeniably it has the mountain charm factor, with it’s car free village centre, good restaurants, family atmosphere and dramatic surroundings. It also has the snow sure factor – most of the 100km of skiing is between 2500 and 3500m. Perhaps the only downside is the limited expert terrain. If you have skied it all, it isn’t far to get to Saas Grund and even Zermatt (which nearly made this list).

Murren, Switzerland by BigJimInDC

Murren, Switzerland

Car free Murren is part of the Jungfrau ski area which includes the slightly better known resorts of Wengen and Grindelwald. Despite having limited nightlife and only a small amount of skiing directly linked to this town, it simply had to make the cut. When you have taken the cable car from town to the Schiltorn, or are looking out across the valley to the most famous of peaks, the Eiger, you will certainly agree.

Alex works for SkiWeekender.com, who specialise in short ski breaks in charming villages of Grand Bornand, La Clusaz and Samoens in the French Alps.

The post 5 Chocolate Box Ski Resorts in Europe appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo by oetztal.com

Ötztal Valley Resorts have a total of more than 300 km of ski slopes, which lie at an altitude ranging from 1377 to 3340 meters above sea level and thus can boast an elevation of nearly 2,000 metres. The most famous ski resort of Ötztal is exclusive Sölden, which offers about 150 kilometers of ski slopes, spreading partially on two glaciers and three peaks with a height exceeding 3,000 meters above sea level. This makes Sölden really a unique ski resort in Austrian Alps. More than 100 kilometers of slopes has another luxury resort Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. But Ötztal is also suitable for cross-country skiers as you can find here around 185 kilometres of cross-country trails.

Ski pass prices and opening hours
Lifts in the Ötztal runs from 8:30 to 16:30. One-day ski pass costs €45 in the most popular resorts like Sölden and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, and six-day ski pass costs about €230.

Also an offer of après-ski activities is on a high level in Ötztal. In addition to restaurants, bars, shops, you can try out all sorts of winter sports and the icing on the cake is a luxury aqua park situated in the town Längenfeld.

For further info visit oetztal.com website.

View Ötztal – ski on exclusive slopes with a great elevation in Austria in a larger map

The post Ötztal – ski on exclusive slopes with a great elevation in Austria appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by jzollich

Geographically Orlické hory are divided into three parts: Deštenská highland, Mladkovská highland a Bukovohorská highland. Orlické hory was declared a protected landscape area in 1969 and includes 19 protected parts. There are several rivers flowing through the mountains such as Olešenka River, Divoká Orlice and Tichá Orlice. The mountains covers a total area of ​​204 km2 and it is a home to rare and protected species of plants and animals.

Orlické hory offers ideal conditions for hiking and biking. During the winter months it is ideal for skiing and cross-country skiing. Among the most popular ski resorts are Deštné v Orlických horách, Říčky v Orlických horách, Zdobnice or Čenkovice. Visitors will be pleased with numerous cultural and historical monuments, which include for example Opočno castle, the baroque castle of Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Doudleby nad Orlicí castle, or Častolovice castle, which is one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in the Czech Republic. Among the most visited ruins are Potštejn and Litice, Žampach and Lanšperk. It is worth mentioning pilgrimage site of Homol with the Church of the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, a Baroque staircase, and with two chapels founded in 1692 by Countess Tereza Eleonor of Ugarte.

Other tourist attractions in Orlické hory include several military fortifications that were built at the former Czech-German border in 1936-38 to defend against danger from fascist Germany.

During your holiday trip you get to know and admire the natural beauty of this area. Either you are sport lover or lover of history and sights, or just a tourist looking for comfort and relaxation, then Orlické hory in the Czech Republic are really suitable for you!

View Orlické hory – a mountain ideal for skiing and hiking in the Czech Republic in a larger map

The post Orlické hory – a mountain ideal for skiing and hiking in the Czech Republic appeared first on Europe Explored.

It is the home to many endemic and rare species of the Balkan Pleistocene flora. There are also lots of famous and popular ski resorts. Since 1983, the entire area of the Pirin National Park is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Pirin National Park with its caves, waterfalls and glacial lakes should be included on your list of destinations if you are planning your visit to Bulgaria.

Visible is the impact of glaciers from the last Ice Age, which created deep valleys and numerous lakes. The rivers are fed from melting snow on the peaks during the summer as well. Water falls to the valleys in several beautiful waterfalls. Pirin, Rila and Rodopi together form the mass of the southern Bulgarian mountains. Pirin is interesting due to the fact that 45 of its peaks have an altitude of 2600 meters above sea level.

During the hiking to one of the peaks you can meet several islands of more-years-old snow, so-called firn, which is an intermediate stage between snow and glacial ice. As the Pirin National Park is relatively far from inhabited areas, many European wildlife species found their home here.

Pirin National Park has well-marked hiking paths and trails for the ski runs. You can choose the level of difficulty according to your physical abilities. However most of them belong to less demanding routes. Rest and food for tourists provide several huts, which offer the possibility of overnight accommodation in a beautiful and romantic landscape. The chalet Vichren, which lies at an altitude of 1950 meters can even be reached by car. From there, visitors can walk to the highest mountain peak in just 2-3 hours. The Pirin National Park has just very few tourists throughout the year, which also has its charm. The reason is probably its remoteness, but the park offers unique world of majestic mountain, which is certainly worth a visit.

View Pirin National Park in one of the highest mountains in Europe Bulgaria in a larger map

The post Pirin National Park in one of the highest mountains in Europe | Bulgaria appeared first on Europe Explored.