Skiing is notoriously expensive but the opening up of new resorts means it is possible to do it on a tight budget also. Karen Creed compares the two extremes.
NO EXPENSE SPARED
ST MORITZ in Switzerland is arguably the most expensive and possibly the best mountain resort in the world. It is posh, glamorous and very expensive and also claims to have more sunshine than any other resort in Europe. It is a destination that every seasoned skier should visit at least once in their lifetime. The resort prides itself on having hosted the Olympics twice in the last century. The nightlife, top-class hotels and restaurants are major attractions, although you may need to re-mortgage your house to cover the bills. Not surprisinly St Moritz excels in attracting glamorous visitors, such as Liz Hurley, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. Check out www.stmoritz.ch
ASPEN is the place to be if you want to ski with the rich and famous. As the resort-of-choice for the ‘better off’, it has a tendency to get slightly expensive. Aspen is a beautifully restored former Wild West 19th century silver-mining town with great bars, restaurants and hotels ¬ and although it is popular with the jet-set they are keen not to be recognised. High-profile couples who revel in the resort’s contagious atmosphere include Melanie Griffiths and Antonio Banderas, and Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.
Filled with steeps and bumps, it has some of the most varied slopes on four separate mountains linked by efficient free shuttle-buses. Check out www.skicentral.com/aspen
PRAGELATO is a stunning ski and spa resort in the Chison Valley, located in the picturesque Piedmont region. On the doorstep of the Milky Way, it stretches over an area of seven hectares. A keen slope basher can enjoy covering the 440km of terrain under one ski pass. The hotel consists of one and two bedroom executive suites within individual chalets, furnished in an elegant mountain style. The resort is also very attractive in terms of accessibility with flights from Dublin to Turin and Milan Malpensa. Best of all, if Mother Nature doesn’t work her magic, the resort can produce its own snow. Check out www.pragelatoresort.com
ON A BUDGET
BANSKO is renowned for offering some of the world’s cheapest skiing. If you are a beginner you don’t need to go to a big-name resort and pay the correspondingly high prices. Don’t expect luxury or sophistication in accommodation, food, ski lifts or standards of service on or off the mountain. But do expect friendly people, good ski teaching and lively activities. Traditional Bulgarian apres-ski can be found in the tavernas offering folk music and hearty meals. Bansko’s slopes are limited and while they are ideal for beginners, they would be of little interest to good skiers. It is a two-and-a-half hour journey bus journey from Sofia and is ultimately good skiing at bargain prices. Check out www.banskoski.com
ANDORRA traditionally offers cheap ski holidays, with resorts that cater to family and groups, with a plethora of crèches and duty-free bars. Better still, the sun shines a good deal of the time. The best known areas in Andorra for skiing are Soldeu and El Tarter, two villages next door to each other. They are lively, good value for money, modern and friendly, with great skiing and snowboarding facilities. There are some advanced descents for the more experienced skier through the powder fields below Pic d’Encampadana and for snowboarders, Soldeu’s half pipe and an additional natural half-pipe makes the resort a popular choice. Check out www.ski-europe.com/resorts/andorra
SLOVENIA is cheap and cheerful in a yesteryear Austrian kind of way. Thanks to its location on the sunny southern side of the Julian Alps and its traditional village atmosphere, Kransjka Gora, Slovenia’s best-known international resort. It is a reliable and scenic ski resort and compared to other snow destinations, it is extremely good value, both in terms of accommodation, drink, and food. The 8.5km red run from top to bottom makes a perfect adventure climax to a first week on the slopes. The Kompass Hotel is geared towards families, with buffet meals, a huge swimming pool and a relaxed attitude towards kids. Check out www.slovenia.info
