The bulk of elite ski resorts, which are traditional skiing destinations for Ukrainians, are located in the Alps – French, Austrian, Swiss, Italian, and Slovenian. Less popular among European ski experts are winter recreation centers in Germany, as well as Turkey and Finland (the land of a thousand lakes is preferred by lovers of cross-country skiing on the plains).
Lebanon's mountain ranges may also be of interest to our compatriots (here you can almost ski down to the Mediterranean). A year ago, ski tours to the Chilean Andes became a novelty on the Ukrainian market (for example, one of them – Valle Nevado – is located 57 km from Santiago, where the number of "red" and "black" trails is 50%, and the descent begins at an altitude of 3,670 m). This is a good aid for domestic ski gourmets.
Let's begin an overview of Europe's steep ski slopes using a resort-based approach, since, according to experienced skiers, everyone prefers to relax and ski not in a particular country, but at a well-known resort with a developed sports and entertainment infrastructure.
We'll skip past the Carpathians and head to the Tatras. On both sides of this relatively low mountain system, mostly easy trails are laid. Then we'll go to southern Europe and visit Bulgaria's winter resorts, skip past the northern part of Turkey (there are no steep descents there). We'll fly by plane over the Carpathians and Tatras and find ourselves in the vast snowy kingdom of the Alps, which covers a huge area of several countries – Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, and France. Here there is an abundance of "red" and "black" trails. And the final point of our virtual journey will be tiny Andorra and the northern part of Spain with elite resorts and steep descents located on the slopes of the low Pyrenees.
Tatras and Rhodopes
Many Ukrainians who have felt an inclination toward skiing hone their skills in the Tatras. The Zakopane Tatras suit both skiing experts and beginners well. The trails here are not as steep as, for example, in the Alps or the Pyrenees. Skiers should pay special attention to the Kasprowy Wierch area (altitude about 2,000 m), where the ski trails extend for 7 km.
The Slovak High Tatras, consisting of three centers – Tatranska Lomnica, Stary Smokovec, and Strbske Pleso – are a good aid for a future ascent to steep Alpine trails. The trails here are laid out for both beginners and professionals. But overall they are not steep ("blue"), so skiing has a special charm: it's cozy, and most importantly, there is no fear of falling and breaking something. In Tatranska Lomnica, skiers enjoy having fun at Skalnate Pleso, where five lifts are located at different altitudes. In Stary Smokovec there is the Hrebienok ski trail (1,285 m), as well as the highest peak of the High Tatras – Gerlachovsky Peak (2,655 m), whose descent poses a certain challenge even for seasoned conquerors of mountain peaks.
The trails in the Bulgarian Rhodopes and Pirin Mountains are more difficult than in the Tatras. As a rule, ski enthusiasts tend to stay at international-level resorts – Borovets, Bansko, and Pamporovo. The difficulty of snow trails in Bulgaria attracts many strong skiers from around the world.
The Borovets resort is located on the slopes of Mount Musala (2,925 m), 70 km from Sofia. Its appeal lies in the fact that snow stays here until mid-April. Borovets offers 15 ski trails with a total length of 40 km, as well as ski jumps. The local trails are mostly suited to professionals. 160 km from Sofia, in the foothills of the Pirin Mountains, lies the climatic resort of Bansko (87 mountain peaks and 150 lakes). Here the snow cover reaches two meters in thickness, and the ski season lasts four months, beginning in mid-December. Overall, there are not very many steep ski slopes, but "beginners" happily ski on the slopes of the national park at altitudes from 1,100 to 2,500 m. The sunniest resort is Pamporovo, located right in the center of the Rhodopes (85 km from Plovdiv). And here, for aces of mountain descents, a "black" trail has been prepared (the steepest in Eastern Europe) called the "Wall".
Alps – Trails of Increased Difficulty
The Alpine mountain system occupies a vast territory in Europe. The Alps are not only a natural adornment of Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and France, but also a place for active leisure for millions of residents of the Old World in the winter season.
Let's begin our journey through Alpine resorts and mountain descents with Austria, where excellent opportunities have been created for skiers of all levels, but first and foremost for those who enjoy leisurely skiing. A successful symbiosis of natural landscape beauty (a huge lake lies in a mountain bowl) and creative human labor are the resorts of Zell am See and Kaprun. 30 years ago, two small Alpine towns in the federal state of Salzburg, joining forces, created the European Sports Region. There are plenty of trails of varying difficulty for skiing here, and they are laid at altitudes from 757 m to 3,029 m, which allows skiing from the beginning of December to the end of April, and on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier – all year round (for adrenaline junkies, 13 km of steep descents are prepared). In Zell am See, all trails are above the 1,400 m mark on the Schmittenhöhe mountain. For a quiet family ski vacation, this is a winter paradise. Moreover, on the well-groomed mountain slopes there are many restaurants, cafés, and bars with reasonable prices. The only downside is the crowding on the mountains on weekends.
Kaprun is located at the foot of the Tauern mountain range. From here, the Kitzsteinhorn glacier is within easy reach. At an altitude of 2,452 m, there is the Alpine Center with a ski school, three self-service restaurants, and a snow bar. After a little refreshment, skiers take a cable car up to the highest point – 3,029 m, where there is a small restaurant and an observation deck offering a stunning panorama of the Alpine ridge.
The Zillertal valley, spread around Lake Achensee, offers "red" and "blue" slopes to all masters of downhill skiing. Centuries of Mother Nature's work deserve the highest praise: the valley is surrounded by steep mountains, and around the lake there are three small but charming ski regions with 44 km of slopes - "blue" ones turn into "red", "red" into "blue". Among the novelties is the new "red" slope "Krummbach XXL", ideal for advanced skiers.
Professionals must definitely go to Kitzbühel. Here one of the fastest tracks in the Alps has been prepared for them - Streif, comparable to the "black" Face Bellevarde in Val d'Isère and Lanberhorn in Swiss Wengen. The fast 3.5 km descent of Streif at a speed of 140 km/h with a vertical drop of 860 m is a test not for the faint-hearted. Note that the parallel "red" slope also demands respect.
Next our path leads to Italy, Austria's neighbor, to the Dolomites. Of course, the winter ski resorts in the north of the country are not that popular. It is quite possible that they will become more attractive and inhabited by Europeans after the creation of modern ski and alpine skiing infrastructure for the 2006 Winter Olympics.
The Dolomites are known for their fashionable resorts: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Merano, Madonna di Campiglio, Val Gardena. For convenience, it is worth purchasing a single ski pass (ski subscription) Dolomiti Superski, which gives the right to ski on prepared slopes (1,100 km) of the Apennines, Austria, as well as use 465 lifts of various types. Experts call the three-kilometer giant slalom course "Champion" the most beautiful descent in the Val Gardena valley, which starts at the rocky foot of Sassolungo.
For experienced racers of "black" slopes, there is a narrow and intricate track in the rocks starting from the Sassolungo cleft, leading directly to the Sella Pass (2,240 m). In addition to desperate courage, a skier must have strong nerves and extensive skiing experience. The reward for the conqueror of the track will be the breathtaking view of the Marmolada ridge (from here runs the 12-kilometer slope with 3,300 m "Pista Bellunese"), which is not without reason called the White Queen of the Dolomites. It is around it that the circular "red" route "Sella Ronda" runs, 25 km long - about five hours of skiing. If you take the cable car to Soprabolzano at 2,000 m, a fantastic panorama of the Central Alps opens up to the skier. Crossing a mountain "blue" pass, you get to the fashionable resort of Madonna di Campiglio. Several challenging slopes are laid out at this resort. For example, "Spinale Direttissima" is 2 km long with a vertical drop of 600 m. You can also ride the longest and fastest - the seven-kilometer "Canalone Miramonti".
After Italy, we continue to Switzerland, where mountains occupy most of the territory. A dozen fashionable winter resorts are scattered in the southern part of the Confederation. Let's start with Crans-Montana. The resort is located on a wide plateau above 1,500 m. It is unlikely to be explored in a day. As you begin your descent, it seems that the surrounding ridges and peaks part, opening up living space for skiers in the Alps. Crans-Montana has 160 km of well-groomed slopes, mostly "red", of medium difficulty. Most of them face south and have excellent daylight illumination. The most piquant slopes start from Bella Lui at 2,543 m. The Piste National regularly hosts prestigious ski competitions and the popular annual March races Trophée du Mont-Lachaux, in which everyone can participate. The Plaine Morte glacier (3,000 m) is an absolutely flat area and is more suitable for cross-country skiing than alpine skiing. A long and beautiful "red" slope R runs from here, laid out in a giant snow oasis between the peaks of Tubang (2,826 m) and Mont Bouvin (2,995 m). By the way, Roger Moore, one of the actors who played James Bond, liked to ski here with beautiful women.
The resort of Saas-Fee is considered an alpine pearl, one of the most environmentally friendly winter resorts. Cars are banned here, and tourists are transported exclusively by electric vehicles. One day is quite enough for a skier to explore all the slopes above Saas-Fee. The descents in the upper part are quite simple, but it is not recommended to go off the marked slopes. The glacier hanging over the resort, like a living creature, moves very slowly, a few centimeters per year: deep crevasses form in its body. Having climbed to the plateau at 2,500 m, the skier transfers to the world's highest-altitude metro (yes, there is one!) and continues up through a tunnel carved into the rock under the Felskinn glacier to an altitude of 3,500 m. And there is the world's highest revolving restaurant - Mittelallalin. The rotation speed is low and allows you to see all the natural beauty in an hour. Slopes of different difficulty categories fan out from the restaurant. You can descend into the valley on both "black" and "red" slopes. There is also the world's largest ice cave. It is very romantic to descend from the summit with a torch in hand. The descents from Felskinn and Langfluh (2,870 m) generally correspond to red marking. There is also a small "black" slope above Spielboden and a beautiful "red" slope descending from Plattjen (2,567 m).
And in the southern part of Switzerland are the famous four-thousanders, reaching into the blue. The Matterhorn stands out with its considerable height and characteristic profile, dominating the entire Alpine system of the country. The local slopes are somewhat reminiscent of a pendulum. Descending a steep, bumpy "black" run, you find yourself at a crossroads: go left and you'll reach the Le Chable valley and come out onto one of the best descents in the world, 15 km long with a vertical drop of 2.530 m. Go right and you'll hit an even steeper speed run. Verbier has scattered many such ski temptations along its slopes. For extreme skiers and powder hounds there is the Mont Gele area, and for the less confident, the "red-blue" runs of La Chaux.
Elite French Alps
The last stop on our journey through the Alps is France, whose resorts are rightly considered elite. It is no coincidence that the European beau monde and experienced skiers choose French resorts for three pleasures at once: fun, relaxation, and adrenaline. On the world ski map, France holds a special place. 80 major winter sports centers can accommodate a million tourists at the same time.
The French Les 3 Valles is one of the wonders of skiing. The famous mountain resort trio - Courchevel - Méribel - Val Thorens - is a ski Mecca. 295 ski runs weave through the area of the famous Three Valleys. Blue, red, and black runs are laid out here, catering to the tastes of the most demanding ski enthusiasts.
All the resorts of the Three Valleys are connected by a single network of 200 ski lifts. People speak of the resorts only in superlatives. It's simply fantastic for skiers! Here you don't just ski, you conquer vast territories. That is the uniqueness of the Three Valleys. Their main drawback is overcrowding during the high season, especially in early February when students have their holidays.
The ski charm of this region lies in the fact that here almost all runs are marked. Say you're staying in Méribel at an altitude of 1.500 m. Above the resort there are more than 150 km of marked slopes. If you're a beginner, you should head up to the sector between Roc de Fer (2.294 m) and Mont de la Chall (2.573 m). Blue runs are located there. Experienced skiers will enjoy the high-speed Face, built specifically for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, as well as the black run in Tognette.
Not far from Méribel at an altitude of 1.750 m there is a gondola lift that takes you up to the 3 Marches plateau, from where several red runs start. A place worth lingering is Mont Vallon, the highest point of the Méribel valley. Two long red runs descend from this summit, each better than the other. For example, you can ride the red Maccassin run or the black Sanglier. They are not as scary as they might seem at first glance.
One of the highest and youngest resorts in Europe, Val Thorens, is located at an altitude of 2.300 m. It is best to inspect the existing runs in a clockwise direction, starting with Perfect (3.100 m) - the red runs are very good here. Professionals will like the Cascades mogul field. But there's no point in climbing to Col (3.133 m), because the steep descent from the Chaviere glacier will not bring the expected pleasure. In the Orelle valley, the black run Pierre Lory deserves special attention, starting at an altitude of 3.230 m. Perhaps there is no other like it in the Three Valleys. The most popular ski area here is Belleville, which accounts for almost 300 km of runs. Along one of the blue runs, skiers descend to Saint-Martin (1.400 m). After a rest, skiers typically go up to Tognette and, without turning off, glide straight down a long blue traverse (by the way, people often ski it with their eyes closed) to Menuires, located at an altitude of 1.800 m. It is pleasant to ride dozens of intermediate runs (a variety of blue-red runs) on the southwestern slopes of Menuires. There are also several black runs in this region, one of which bears the name Leo Lacroix. The run is named after a skier who managed to reach 100 km/h. By the way, in distant 1966 that was the speed limit. And now skiers can reach 250 km/h. The most interesting ski area above Menuires is the northeastern slopes of Mount Masse (2.804 m). Beginners have nothing to do here. Both red and black runs are quite steep and require a certain level of preparation. But that is not an obstacle for seasoned racers. There are always plenty of people wanting to ski these runs.
What else makes the Three Valleys attractive? The presence of off-piste runs, that is, unmarked ones. Completely different associations arise when "flying" down off-piste descents and wild slopes. Off-piste skiing is an ideal option to ride on fresh snow that fell during the night. In this region there are several wild skiing areas: the Les Avals gorge, the Lac Merlet mountain area. Skiers get a considerable dose of adrenaline in the narrow passages running down both sides of the Saulire ridge. It is here that the annual Courchevel Freeride Classic competition is held in March. This is an event for extreme skiers. The red runs in Creux are not very difficult, but the sun is so warm here! The runs in Verdons are very challenging. Truly black runs are located in the upper part of Siusses and M, but closer to the finish they noticeably turn red.
Experienced skiers often succumb to the temptation to test their willpower on off-piste descents - between 3 Marches and Mont de la Chambre, although the risk of avalanches is high in this area. So you shouldn't take too many risks - it's better to opt for the classic off-piste routes created by Mother Nature above the Les Encombres valley. A skier descending from an altitude of 2.600 m ends up directly at the beautiful mountain lake Lac du Lou.
The Val d'Isère resort covers a vast area, with steep slopes and a "red" train that offers free rides between the villages. Thanks to the developed transport infrastructure, many skiers can move from one mountain to another using 135 marked slopes. Using a modern funicular, skiers ascend to the summit of Bellevarde and start from there on "red" and "black" slopes. At an altitude of 1,850 m, there is a true paradise for adrenaline enthusiasts. The Olympic slopes, built for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, also run through here.
The Uncrowded Pyrenees
Of course, the Pyrenees cannot compete with the Alps in terms of functioning infrastructure and the steepness of their slopes. Despite the remoteness of these mountains from well-known European winter resorts, they are still attractive for their nature and their "human" uncrowdedness.
Many Europeans like the Spanish resort of Baqueira - a beautiful place with rocks and spurs, varied slopes located at an altitude of 2,500 to 1,500 m in the Pyrenees. They prefer to ski here in large groups, and also practice slalom on "blue" slopes or go cross-country skiing. Perhaps that is why King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia, well-known political figures, have become frequent visitors to Baqueira.
In many ways, thanks to the well-appointed winter resorts and the established duty-free zone, Europeans know well where the principality of Andorra is and what makes it attractive. Here, a variety of slopes for skiers are prepared at altitudes of 1,500-2,700 m.
The highest resort in the Pyrenees is Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, located at an altitude of 2,050-2,650 m. The wide slopes here are an ideal place for advanced riders. There are many high-speed "red" slopes. Freeride (free-riding) enthusiasts will also find a place for themselves here.
17 km from the capital of the principality is nestled the resort of Soldeu-El Tarter (1,710-2,560 m). Here on the mountain Tossal de la Llosada, the longest "red" slope (8.2 km) in Andorra is laid out. In the area of the Arinsal resort, there are mainly "red" slopes as well. But steep "black" slopes begin at an altitude of 2,800 m in the Ordino-Arcalis region. Difficult slopes are laid in the north-eastern and north-western parts of the mountains (total length 26 km). The Andorrans guarantee the quality of the snow. Skilled skiers, in turn, are attracted by off-piste slopes in the La Coma region.