One of the most famous Scottish ski resorts is Aviemore. A classy, traditional ski resort, Aviemore is located within the Scottish Highlands, and is the ski resort of choice for many across the world. Loved for its friendly atmosphere and great skiing, Aviemore is more than well equipped to give you a great time. It’s bars and restaurants are simply first class, offering wholesome food and drink to keep you well refreshed. Additionally, it’s holiday village feeling enhances its friendly, relaxed ambience, and makes you feel a million miles from home whilst still comfortable.

Alternatively, there are some more ski resorts in the Scottish Highlands which are particularly good value for money. It is important to watch out, though, given that some resorts cater for the top end of the market, and you could end up paying a lot more than you bargained for. As long as you do your homework before you leave, you should fin the resort that is perfect to cater for your needs, and your wallet.

One thing to watch out for before you arrive in Scotland is to change your currency into Sterling Pounds. Your best option is to go to your local travel agents, or your local currency conversion centre before setting off. That way, you will be sure of exactly what you are getting for your money. It is a good idea to be wary of the commission, and the exchange rate you are being offered, and it can sometimes be quite tricky to get your head around the numbers. Make sure you work everything out before hand, and shop around so that you don’t get wripped off.

For excellent deals on Scotland, why not go online? Additionally, there you will find a great deal of information on what to do in Scotland, and information on the depth and variety of Ski Resorts. If you choose not to go to a ski resort, but rather a city, and you want to cram in some top quality, affordable skiing during your trip, you are also in luck. There are loads of dry ski slopes in and around the cities, like at Polmont for example, which is located midway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, which is ideal for some quick and cheap skiing. Additionally, there are several indoor artificial snow ski slopes which you can visit. These innovative inventions are used to help train national level skiers, and are also open to the public at certain times, so why not pop along during your visit?

Why not consider Scotland? With so many excellent deals on skiing package tours at the moment, you’ll definitely be glad you did, and you are guaranteed to have an enjoyable, fun holiday in this picturesque, ski-enthusiast’s heaven.

Skiing In Scotland is a post from: Travel And Touring | drillandsave.com

One of Italy’s smallest resorts, tucked up high, near Canazei in the North, is Alba. Based on a tiny village, the Alba resort is the truest form of skiing escapism, with amazing off piste skiing to be had. For the keen skier, this would make for an excellent day trip, or an excellent weekend away whilst staying at a bigger resort, and although it has only 5 lifts, it is a real Italian treasure, and something not to be missed if you like peaceful surroundings whilst you ski. On top of that, if you enjoy cross country skiing, Alba also offers a number of extensive trails for you to pursue, ensuring that you are likely to have a great time, whatever you skiing preferences and ability.

If you’re looking for something bigger, why not consider Italy’s highest resort, Passo Tonale. An ideal family resort, Passo Tonale is focussed more around beginners and intermediates, and provides a friendly atmosphere that is just simply lacking from some of the bigger resorts. Passo Tonale is also home to a top class ski school, employing some of the region’s most talented skiing instructors. In addition to that, the staff pride themselves on the conditions of their slopes, which are groomed frequently. From the peak of Passo Tonale, you are faced with a wonderful panoramic view of the whole region, which is truly breathtaking, and it has been known for skiers to spend hours simply analysing the view. Passo Tonale is a great resort if you are looking for a busier, more down to earth ski resort for you and your family.

Selva Gardena is one of Italy’s largest resorts, and if you are looking for some great scenery and excellent, consistent snow coverage, you could do a great deal worse than here. A great value for money resort, Selva Gardena is also child friendly, making it another fantastic resort to take the family.

Italy has a diverse range of ski resorts to cater for all different tastes and abilities. In general you will find all the resorts welcoming and friendly, not to mention the amazing hospitality you will experience in some of their restaurants and bars. If you are looking for a good value for money trip, and you enjoy skiing, the North of Italy is ideal for you, and can provide any skier with an adequate challenge of their abilities. Additionally, with some of the best skiing instructors in the world, Italy is one of the best places in Europe to enjoy skiing without paying an absolute fortune. Italy truly is a great skiing location for anyone looking to experience the Alps in all their glory, amidst the wealth and depth of culture and history right around the corner.

Skiing In Italy is a post from: Travel And Touring | drillandsave.com

When skiing in France, you’d be mad not to go to the alps. Famous the world over for their excellent ski slopes, the alps also border on Switzerland, so you might also like to pop over and visit while you’re in town. And don’t worry if you don’t have your equipment – there are simply thousands of dedicated ski shops to serve the tourists, and some stock some pretty good bargains!

France is also home to the world famous Val d’Isere resort. A huge scenic expanse, the resort was made famous by top French skier Jean Claude Killy, and is a magnet for tourists all year round, with a near guarantee of absolutely perfect conditions. Additionally, the resort caters for all levels of experience and ability, and so you’re sure to find a challenge somewhere! To top it all, the resort boasts amazing facilities, from its ski lifts to its hotels and refreshment areas. The Val d’Isere really is a skier’s heaven.

France is fortunate enough to benefit from great wine, great food, great culture…as well as great skiing! If you decide to opt for France for your next skiing trip, don’t spend all your time on the slopes – get out there and experience a different style of living. Sample the delicacies, and experience the delights of this highly metropolitan European nation.

Why not look online for great French skiing deals? Thanks to the internet, holiday prices have really come down over the last few years, and you can find some real bargains with a bit of research. Additionally, there is no need to consider booking each individual element separately, given the sheer number of top quality package deals, which will come included with your skiing, accommodation, flights and lift pass. You might even be lucky enough to find a deal that includes some exotic French food to fill you up after a hard day on the slopes!

Alternatively, you could just pop in to your local travel agents to see what they have on offer. Although the travel agent will usually inflate the price to cover their commission, you can still find some real bargains that aren’t available elsewhere. And what’s more, the travel agent can recommend where to go and what to see, and there is nothing quite like that personal recommendation. Additionally, he can help allay any fears or worries you may have about your holiday, and can answer any questions you might have. Again, it is important to shop around for the best deal, and this will also help you get a better idea of what your chosen resort is like as a whole.

Before leaving for France it is important to make sure you have a valid passport, with over six months before expiry. This will be absolutely critical for passing through French customs. If you need a new passport, you should allow around eight to ten weeks before leaving, given the lengthy application process. Make sure you plan well in advance – the passport is vital if you’re to set foot out of the country. Without it, you won’t get to experience the magic of French skiing, and additionally, you will lose the money you paid for your holiday, so this really is a vital consideration.

So why not consider France for your next skiing trip? The real home of skiing, France is waiting, and it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think!

Skiing In France is a post from: Travel And Touring | drillandsave.com

If you’re looking for a skiing holiday which combines excellent snow with a warm, friendly climate, Croatia is simply ideal for you. With numerous strategically located ski resorts, Croatia is a nation of ski lovers, and this is reflected in their amazing facilities. When in Croatia, you’d be mad to miss the Bjelolasica. The Bjelolasica is the training centre for the Olympic skiing team, located in the Zagreb region. It boasts amazing facilities, and is simply a great place to go skiing. As you might expect, the standard of training there is simply world class, and this accounts for why the Croatian national team are so prolific. On top of this, the hotel facilities are exceptional value for money, and you’ll find that with any Croatian holiday, you will be spending less than you may imagine. As a growing nation, Croatia is becoming an increasingly popular skiing destination, for enthusiasts of all age and ability.

Another very popular Croatian skiing resort is Platak, located nearer the Adriatic. A little more expensive, and somewhat more remote than Bjelolasica, Platak is still a very popular resort, and is frequently rated the best place to ski in Croatia. The whole resort built around the naturally ideal ski centre is of a top quality, and it is easy to see why tourists come back year on year for their skiing vacations. A resort very much on the grow, there are plans to introduce several new ski lifts, and a dozen additional snow cannons by 2010. Platak looks to be a promising resort for the future, and is certainly great for a skiing vacation with a family.
Additionally, Platak’s skiing and snowboarding instruction centre is well practiced at giving exceptional quality training, across multiple languages, making for substantial improvement to your skills, regardless of your nationality. Additionally, with its high tech features, Platak could easily fit in with any European resort, and for such a low price, it is great value for money.

When in Croatia, does as the Croatians’ do, and visit Zagreb. The bustling city of Zagreb has so much to offer by way of Croatian culture and history, and is an excellent chance to break away from the slopes for a few days. It is truly a cultural hotbed, and the hustle and bustle will betray the long and arduous past. Looming above Zagreb is Mount Medvednica, and the Sljeme resort. With both daytime skiing, and the option of hitting the flood-lit slopes at night. Along side highly technical snow cannons, Zagreb benefits from excellent snow coverage at this altitude, and is a fantastic city for a ski resort. Additionally, there is so much by way of additional, complimentary facilities which make skiing at Sljeme an ideal prospect.

Many people are surprised to think that Croatia actually borders Italy. However, the culture is so different from the Italian culture. With an entirely different history and culture, the Croatians certainly place heavy emphasis on their food, and this is reflected in the top quality gourmet restaurants available. Additionally, you’ll note exactly how cheap the entire country is, with your average pint of ale coming in at less than a dollar. In Croatia, your spending money will go a lot further, and so will your holiday, which is why so many families choose it as an ideal destination for their skiing break. So why not choose Croatia, and benefit from world class skiing, at a fraction of the price.

Skiing In Croatia is a post from: Travel And Touring | drillandsave.com

One of the best resorts in my experience is the La Parva resort, located near Santiago. The La Parva resort is often underrated, billed as second to its higher brother, Valle Nevado. However, if you are more into skiing across uninterrupted, unspoilt terrain, with more variety and depth of ski, I would most certainly recommend La Parva as the resort for you. With a total of 14 lifts, the resort is of a medium size, and is comparatively popular, although still free from the depth of tourists covering the more popular, more accessible slopes. One factor to consider is that the snow coverage is not always as consistent as with other resorts, and this may pose a problem for some skiers, although if you take the time to research the conditions before you go, you should be able to experience La Parva in all its glory.

La Parva also prides itself in a well-equipped training academy, which attracts some of Chile’s best skiing talent. As well as Olympic training, they also offer public lessons, and have an excellent track record when it comes to improving performance. The friendly and helpful training staff pride themselves on their heritage, and take great pride in the condition of their slopes the quality of their training, which really shows in their instruction.

An important word of advice – it is important before setting off for Chile on your skiing trip that you ensure you have your passport in place. If you don’t have a passport, or if your last passport has expired, it might be a good idea to apply early so you don’t avoid disappointment. The application and issuing processes can take up to 14 weeks, so it is vital that you budget for this time allotment when booking your skiing vacation.
Similarly, South America can be a dangerous place to visit, and there have been several high profile instances of kidnap by rebel and terrorist organisations in the area. On this note, it is perhaps best to consult the internet for any government warnings which may be issued, and to keep track of current affairs, although thankfully these instances are becoming rarer in these modern times.

Why not consider Chile as an ideal candidate for your next skiing vacation? Ok, so it may be slightly more adventurous than the other locations you thought about, but you really have to wonder why so many people swear by Chile and the La Parva and Valle Nevado resorts, and why the area has become such a hotbed for skiing over the last few decades. One visit to this amazing country will surely change anyone’s mind, as you begin to understand exactly why Chile is seen as one of South America’s best skiing locations for experts and beginners alike. With the extended appeal to the culture-vultures among us, Chile is also the ideal place to vacation with your family, and you don’t have to spend all your time skiing to enjoy your vacation.

Skiing In Chile is a post from: Travel And Touring | drillandsave.com

Bulgaria’s most recognised ski resort is Bansko. As a result of massive investment in Bulgaria, particularly in the development of the tourism industries, Bansko is undergoing extensive refurbishment and modernisation, to create a facility that can compete on a world scale. As well as time and money spent on developing hotels, luxurious apartments, ski lifts and other facilities, there is also a great deal being ploughed into refining the actual slopes themselves, to ensure a high quality, internationally acceptable skiing conditions. With impressive snow coverage from late November through to spring, Bansko is an ideal location for a ski resort, and this is reflected by its increasing popularity. The beautiful village itself is rich in history and tradition, and you’ll find the people very warm and welcoming; eager to please, and ensure you have a good time.

Another of Bulgaria’s major ski resorts is Pamporovo, situated on the Rhodopi Mountain. A thoroughly modernised resort, Pamporovo boasts an extensive training academy and well maintained ski runs for all abilities. The most southern resort in Europe, Pamporovo benefits from a particularly sunny climate, with around four months of sunshine, and plenty of snow. That means you’ll never be skiing in too unpleasant conditions! Pamporovo is also more than adequately equipped to deal with holiday makers in terms of auxiliary services, and has recently unveiled plans for a state of the art ski lift. With so much time and investment being spent on these slopes, it really is an ideal time to visit Bulgaria.

Of course the beauty of Bulgaria as a great skiing location is that it is relatively untouched and undiscovered. This means that you can benefit from the excellent facilities without having to contend with too many tourists. Thus, Bulgaria provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy skiing in eace and quiet, in idyllic settings. Additionally, for a trip in Bulgaria, you’re going to be paying significantly less than other European countries for the same amazing weather and fantastic skiing. Bulgaria really is a win/win location for any skiing holiday.

With such extensive investment in the nation, Bulgaria is an up and coming holiday destination as it pushes towards European integration. By nursing an ever strengthening tourism industry, the nation is growing continually, and this is great news for skiing enthusiasts who can benefit from its excellent natural resources and ski resort facilities. Additionally, with such a quality-orientated approach, Bulgaria is challenging the more industrialised European nations in terms of service and produce. For a low cost, high quality skiing vacation, Bulgaria has to be a consideration, so why not book your vacation, and discover Europe’s best kept skiing secret for yourself?

Skiing In Bulgaria is a post from: Travel And Touring | drillandsave.com

Aviemore recently commissioned a $4 Million state of the art ski lift that can travel up to 25 miles per hour, withstand winds in excess of 110 miles per hour, and has a total weight of 450 tonnes. The amazing structure travels over 15 miles and is certainly an amazing sight for any avid skier. Aviemore’s tourist based facilities are also highly impressive with 900 square feet, and a verging patio area that looks down the 26,000 feet mountain face.

Aviemore is an unfortunate to only have snow for 7 months in the year, ruling it out of hosting some of the worlds greatest competitions, and really placing Scotland up their with France, Switzerland and now Bulgaria as one the top skiing destinations around the world. The skiing destination has recently hosted the snowboarding world freestyle championships, where the facility had to compete with many countries where the sport has far greater uptake than in Scotland. Scotland’s success would have came as a result of many factors, however it was said that the accommodation facilities were said to be significantly more robust than other countries that had placed similar bids.

With a thriving economy that survives largely of the tourism industry, Aviemore had the facilities to bed over 10,000 people a night, significantly higher than any other bid. The reasons for this was largely down to its proximity to a local town that was also able to provide bed and breakfast accommodation, which ensured that more tickets could be sold, and exposure maximised. Despite this, only 21% of ticket buyers were Scottish, leaving the rest of the 79% to fly in from around the world.

The success of the tournament has lead to speculation of Aviemore building on its initial success to host more tournaments in the coming years, and with this the value of property has risen and the hotel industry is also becoming savvy to the prospect of high demand in the area. The Aviemore mountains have an average gradient that well exceeds most skiing locations in the west of Europe making Aviemore the place to visit for a European Skiing trip, providing the time of year is correct.

With only 7 months snow, Aviemore is considering a contained facility, where it will continue to provide skiing and snowboarding indoors. The thought of this, also would raise ideas and suggestions as to how they intend to go about this, and on what scale? Would they be looking to compete with the indoor facilities in Berlin, or would they be looking for something basic? The fact is, speculation as to a large scale indoor facility is mounting, and this is certainly something that would benefit the hotel industry in the area that is growing rapidly, however experiences a less-busy spell for 5 months in the year where Aviemore is in no condition to allow snowboarders or skiers to hit the slopes. Despite this freestyle snowboarding still continues, where the snow is artificially maintained in a half-pipe with which the snowboarders can practice and perfect tricks in a similar way to skateboarders.

If you have never been to Aviemore then I recommend you visit, whether or not you are a skier. The fact is, the views are amazing, the fresh clear air is refreshing and the people are fantastic. If you have never skied before, then what better place to learn than Aviemore.

Skiing In Aviemore is a post from: Travel And Touring | drillandsave.com