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Travel

Best Skiing Holiday Destinations

After a scorching summer, the thought of carving through powder snow and soaking up outstanding mountain scenery sounds like the perfect way to welcome in the winter months.

From the world-famous Rockies to the Alpine landscapes here in Europe, here are just a few of the world’s most popular skiing destinations.

The Alps

Spanning Italy, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia and Germany, the Alps are where the tradition of skiing was born. With some of the best skiing scenery in the world, picture-perfect chalets, gigantic ski circuits and a lively après-ski scene, it’s no wonder the mountains are a top choice for skiers across the globe.

Some of the top resorts include Val d’Isère in France, with its reputation for challenging black pistes, off-piste terrain and buzzing après ski scene, and Italy’s Courmayeur, renowned for its mountain restaurants and glamorous shopping. Then there are the Swiss resorts – Zermatt with its gorgeous Matterhorn views and gourmet dining, and the more relaxed resort of Obergurgl. And that’s just touching the surface! With 1,152 ski resorts to choose from, the Alps truly have something for everyone.

Bulgaria

With excellent ski schools, cheap drinks, buzzing bars and gentle slopes, Bulgaria is the perfect place for beginners to learn to ski on a budget.

Borovets and Bansko are the country’s largest ski areas – Borovets being the oldest of the two, located on the northern slopes of the Rila mountain range with pistes reaching 2,600m high. The resort’s scenic pine forests, lively atmosphere and traditional Balkan pubs make it a great spot for skiers looking to ski hard – and party hard too. Further south, at the foot of the Pirin mountains, lies Bansko, which has grown to become Bulgaria’s largest ski resort. Offering 70km of well-groomed pistes for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels, it’s popular with families looking for a more leisurely skiing holiday.

Canada

A bucket-list destination for skiers and snowboarders alike, Canada’s world-class slopes are famed for their knee-deep powder, immaculate tree-lined runs and unrivalled hospitality – not to mention their spectacular scenery and wildlife.

Repeatedly rated as North America’s top ski resort, Whistler is Canada’s pride and joy. With over 200 trails spread between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, linked by the famous Peak2Peak gondola, the resort sits at the higher end of the price scale – but it’s worth every penny. After a day on the slopes, kick back in the town’s mountain bars, indulge in some holiday shopping or soothe your aching muscles in a top-notch spa.

Japan

Japan is an underrated skiing destination, but one thing its 600 resorts are renowned for is their abundance of super light and extraordinarily dry snow.

The most popular ski areas are split across two regions – Hakuba on the southern main island and Niseko, Rusutsu and Furano in the northern island of Hokkaido. The resorts in Japan are worlds apart from European and North American resorts. Sample incredible food, from sushi and ramen to fried chicken and potatoes, and hop between Japanese onsens, natural hot springs that offer a traditional après-ski experience. However you look at it, Japan offers a skiing holiday that you just won’t find anywhere else.