The Italian Alps see a variety of tourists from all corners of the world during the peak season.  In between skiing, many of them flock to the cosy restaurants and local inns for a taste of some heart-warming local fare.  It is quite easy to reach this area by public transport, since there are many trains that run between the Alps to various cities and towns.  Only one ski lift pass is needed since it includes access to all ski lifts in the area.

If you are travelling with younger children, you will want to make sure the ski resort you have chosen offers childcare services.  If you are uncertain as to the level of childcare that is available, search the internet for reviews; this will help you to gauge their experience, as well as the quality of their services.  In most cases, you will want to choose a resort that has English-speaking childcare staff.

If possible, opt to stay in a chalet rather than a hotel.  Chalets offer a more home-like atmosphere; they are more relaxed and roomy, and are normally geared towards families.  Families with younger children in particular will usually find staying in a chalet to be more comfortable.

Make certain to pack your child’s favourite foods and toys, particularly when travelling outside the UK to destinations where their favourite foods may not be available.  You should pack at least two pairs of gloves for the kids, so a dry pair is always available.  Remember to pack sunglasses and sun block, as you will pay a premium price for them at most resorts if you need to buy them there.

If the timing is right, the next step in sorting out cheap skiing holidays is to make arrangements for travel and accommodation directly, without recourse to a tour operator. Consider the advantages of booking a budget flight, or taking the ferry where this is possible, then driving to a reasonably priced self-catering apartment in the chosen destination.

Avoiding the larger resorts and heading for smaller villages, or the cheaper satellite resorts surrounding the bigger, more costly ski areas, is a smart idea. It is also prudent to develop the habit of keeping a watchful eye on fluctuations in foreign currency: countries such as Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania are outside the Eurozone, and this means cheap skiing holidays there will include bargain prices for drinks, food and lift passes. The ski industry, as much as any other, is prone to the unexpected and inexplicable changes of the financial markets but this can work in favour of certain countries and their resorts.

Ultimately, the key is to do the research. For example, some experts advise that even Switzerland can offer cheap skiing holidays if enthusiasts know where to look. Once more, choosing smaller resorts is a less expensive option, not only for the initial asking price but also for the cost of dining out and purchasing lift passes.

Borovets itself is in northwestern Bulgaria and has been attracting tourists for over a hundred years, although due to Bulgaria’s varied past it has only recently become of interest to Western Europeans.  The capital, Sofia, is around an hour’s drive away and the slopes are covered in snow from mid December until April, making it a relatively long season.

The highest pistes, or paths, are found at around 2600 metres but there are plenty of smaller slopes, wooded areas and Balkan restaurants and bars to keep you entertained.  The coldest month is January, where the temperature drops to around five degrees Celsius, but the bright sunshine ensures that your stay remains enjoyable.

The Bulgarian people are friendly and welcoming once the initial boundaries have been broken and they sure will make you feel welcomed and encourage you to try the local cuisine and the national firewater, rakia.  Ski instructors are available to teach people of all levels of skills at a low cost.  Due to the presence of children’s clubs, the little ones can stay entertained too.

If you fancy getting away from the slopes, the nearby Rila Monastery or simply strolling around the city of Sofia will open your eyes to a whole new colourful and captivating Bulgaria.

Winter is the time to take advantage of some of the best ski conditions the mountain areas around the world have to offer.  If you are an avid skier or snowboarder, there are an abundance of fantastic ski resorts just waiting to be discovered.

Travellers to Switzerland may want to try their skills on the slopes of Zermatt.  Located along the border of Italy in the Swiss Alps, Zermatt is ideal for those who wish to explore the Patrouille de Glaciers, Haute Route, and Chamonix.  It is also possible to purchase ski passes that extend your skiing to Cervinia on the Italian side of the border.

Vail, Colorado, USA is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world.  Vail is famous for its perfect powder and seven Back Bowels.  Due to its enormous size, it is an ideal place for new skiers and snowboarders, as well as those who are very experienced.  There are enough different runs in Vail to keep everyone entertained, from novice to expert.

Banff, Alberta, Canada has a lot to offer snow seekers, including breathtaking scenery and glorious ski mountains.  This area is famous for its extensively long ski season and fantastic facilities.  Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the combination of Mt. Norquay and Sunshine Village ski resorts are enough to keep even the most seasoned skier happy.

Picture courtesy of * Click-Clack-Kodak ! *

This ski area offers winter sports enthusiasts over 3,600 acres of runs, making it the third largest in the country. There are 11 lifts for 122 runs, along with a nine-acre terrain park. The area receives an average of 220ft of powder every winter, yet still boasts 2,000 hours of sunshine. For Nordic cross-country skiing fans the area has over 30km of groomed tracks, plus over 14km of backcountry trails.

Whenever you feel the need for a break from skiing there are plenty of other winter activities to enjoy. For example, you could ride the Cat Trax groomers, tour with a dog sled or snowmobile, ride in a horse-drawn sleigh and try ice skating, snowshoeing or tubing.

There are many dining options within the village of Sun Peaks, so you can enjoy a glass of local wine or sip a cup of hot cocoa. There are several holiday property rental options for your ski holiday and the village is considered “ski-through”, meaning most venues are reachable on skis. For your holiday rental needs, there are hostels, bed and breakfasts, chalets, condos, town-homes, hotels and lodges to choose from. 

Sun Peaks is located 45minutes north of Kamloops, where an airport links to Calgary and Vancouver and the resort offers airport shuttles by reservation. Kamloops is also accessible by Greyhound Bus or VIA Rail Canada. Driving to Sun Peaks takes around 4¼hours from Vancouver, 5½hours from Seattle and 8hours from Calgary.

Glenshee Ski Centre

This resort is located in Scotland, with daily openings during the regular ski season.  There are 36 runs available for skiers of all levels to choose from.  Twenty-one lifts enable skiers to reach their intended destinations more easily.  The Base Café provides equipment hires, with knowledgeable staff who can assist with fittings.  Group and private instruction is also provided.

Raise

The ski centre has been in operation since 1936 and is one of the more popular skiing areas in Cumbria.  The Lake District Ski Club is in charge of the lift and lodge located on site.  The lodge, known as the Millennium Hut, is said to be the highest building in Britain.  Skiers and snowboarders have access to the trails and lift after purchasing a membership. 

Storey Arms

This location in Wales provides ideal skiing conditions, as well as slopes that are suitable for tobogganing.  The rope tows used by skiers are provided by the Plas Y Brenin and Cardiff Ski Club.  Some of the slopes can be easily hiked when a ski club is not present for rope tows.  It is a good idea to contact the the Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre by phone, before arriving to find out if conditions are ideal.

Scotland boasts five major downhill ski areas and different levels of difficulty for beginners to the advanced skier.  Located just outside the village of Fort William is Aonach More, with a gondola and plentiful runs.  Accommodation is available in Fort William or Spean Bridge.

Caringorm is a large resort near the town of Aviemore on the north side of the Cairngorm Mountains.  A mountainside railway quickly disgorges skiers at the top of the hill and skiers can find lodging in nearby Aviemore.  The Lecht ski resort is on the eastern side of the mountains and sports 14 chair lifts.  While not excluding beginners and advanced skiers, Lecht is a paradise for intermediate skiers and snowboarders.

Glencoe offers the most late season skiing and lies two hours away from Edinburgh.  Seven ski lifts ferry skiers for a chance at a downhill run on a beginner’s slope or the difficult black run called the flypaper.  Two hours away from central Scotland, lodging is available in the town of Glencoe.

Glenshee spreads out over three valleys and offers 21 lifts and 36 runs, along with snowboarding facilities.  Located an hour’s drive outside Balmoral, it is a popular skiing destination for tourists and locals alike.  The closest village of Braemar offers plenty of accommodation from budget lodging to luxury hotels.

One wonders why it took so long.  The scenery ranges from picturesque to wild; the lowland winters are sunny and the snow on the higher slopes is a regular feature from November to April.

Most of the ski resorts now have installed snow cannons, just in case Mother Nature doesn’t provide quite enough of the white stuff, and the larger resorts all offer the same range of activities as the popular Alpine ski stations.

For families, the Pyrénées Mountains offers some great winter fun; modern accommodation in apartments, or solid stone houses in the Pyrénéan style, and good, warming mountain food. 

Apart from one or two large resorts such as St Lary, the night life isn’t as lively as the Alpine resorts, but there are good restaurants and bars in all of the dozen or so resorts on the French side of the mountains.

On the Spanish side there are ten ski resorts; the most fashionable is Baqueira-Beret in the beautiful Catalonian Val d’Aran, which enjoys royal patronage, being the ski resort of choice for the Spanish Royal family.  It has really become the place to be seen in the skiing season for many Spaniards, and the prices reflect this.

The Pyrénées is an up-and-coming winter sports area, and at the moment un-crowded and unspoilt.

A few of the top Chilean ski resorts, which include accommodation, a variety of other winter sport activities and plenty of après ski activities, include:

Termas de Chillan – A renowned resort offering the longest ski lift and piste in Chile, Termas de Chillan has 28 runs and 35 kilometres of ski territory, with an even divide between beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes.   Snowboarding, sledges, snowmobiling and Nordic skiing are also popular here.

Portillo – Mules and horses once used the 2,850 metre pass between Chile and Argentina.  Today, Portillo is a thriving ski resort and the site of ski world records.  The resort averages seven metres of snow per season, with 12 lifts, 23 runs and 812 metre vertical drops.

El Colorado – The most popular ski destination among Chileans themselves and about 29 kilometres from the capital of Santiago de Chile, this 3,333 metre summit offers a 903 metre vertical drop, with 22 runs and 18 lifts.  El Colorado also creates artificial snow, guaranteeing year round skiing.  The irregular terrain here is also a blessing for snowboarders.