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... value |
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... variety |
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... off-piste |
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... off the beaten track |
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... traditional |
| Pas de la Casa,
ANDORRA- Tax-free
sums this resort up! This resort is however Benidorm on snow- beer and
loud music. You have been warned! |
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Courchevel,
FRANCE
SEE REVIEW- with 600km
of runs- the world's largest ski area- there is plenty of terrain to
keep everyone happy. The best skiing comes at a price though- expect
to pay some of the world's highest prices! |
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La Grave, FRANCE-
La Grave, coincidence or not, is
responsible for the highest mortality rate in the alps. There is no
ski school, no marked pistes, no ski patrols. Skiing without a guide
is suicidal. Nightlife is non-existent. |
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Chacaltaya,
BOLIVIA- At 5,420m, this is the highest
resort in the world. There are a few nursery slopes, served by a rope
tow. The oxygen here is THIN, so you need to be fit. Only open at
weekends- during the week you maybe able to persuade the warden to
open. Only come here if you want peace and isolation (and nothing
else). |
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Zermatt,
SWITZERLAND
SEE REVIEW-
during the summer, this place is
swarming with tourists. Thankfully the slopes are crowd free during
the winter. Best suited for intermediates with an expensive taste and
a taste for luxury. |
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... groups |
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... couples |
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... families |
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... on a budget |
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... money no object |
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Borovets or Pamporovo, Bulgaria- its
popular for young people, probably due to the cheap beer and skiing.
Saalbach Hinterglemnm, Austria- great bars, good
nursery and intermediate slopes and a good ski school. |
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Saas Fee, Switzerland
SEE REVIEW-
this picture card setting makes it one of the most romantic villages
in the Alps. It has designer shops and candle-lit restaurants. Plus
its car-free. |
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Flaine, France
SEE REVIEW-
great beginner slopes and all pistes finishing in the same area makes
meeting up easier. Les Gets, France-
has easy slope access and a good ski school. |
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La Plagne, France
SEE REVIEW-
miles of easy runs and easy access. The high altitude virtually
guarantees snow early season- when its cheap to go.
Poiana Brasov, Romania- lots of cheap bars,
cheap skiing, lots of runs for intermediates and a great snow record. |
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Valdez, ALASKA-
the host to the annual World Extreme Skiing
Championships. Nowhere comes close to Valdez for steep, deep and
extreme. There are no lifts- the terrain is too inaccessible! Only way
to the top is by helicopter, which will set you back about £3000 for a
6 day heli-pass. |
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... après ski |
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... self drive |
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... beginners |
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... going with the experienced |
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... freeriders |
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Soldeu, Andorra
SEE REVIEW-
cheap drinks, lively bars with live bands. However, it tends to have a
reputation for being 'downmarket'. St.
Anton, Austria
SEE REVIEW-
lively bars straight after skiing and clubs to dance the night away. |
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Chamonix, France
SEE REVIEW-Its
location is one of the easiest resorts in the Alps to reach. Calais is
just 8 hours (and £32 in motorway tolls) away. If you're flying, you
can reach Chamonix from Geneva in just an hour. |
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Breckenridge, USA
SEE REVIEW-
Extensive nursery areas. The ski school has an excellent
reputation.
Courchevel, France
SEE REVIEW-
The Three Valleys has something for everyone, especially
beginners. There are plenty of easy runs which funnel down to the base
area. |
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Courchevel, France
SEE REVIEW-
great choice of ski schools and lots of terrain to choose from.
Val D'Isere, France-
SEE REVIEW
has something to offer for everyone. |
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Chamonix, France
SEE REVIEW-
Fantastic- anyone can and does go here for the offering.
Zermatt, Switzerland
SEE REVIEW-
This is the place in Europe to freeride- provided you have the money
to spend! There are great heli-boarding opportunities. |
