Bulgaria
The invariable advantages of this country are the almost complete absence of a language barrier, a good attitude towards our tourists (although recently the local infrastructure has become increasingly oriented towards Germans), a short flight, decent ski schools and a free visa for children under 16, and affordable prices for tours. Problems that may arise: lack of kindergartens and a spring shortage of snow, although the season officially lasts until the beginning of April.
Resorts: the largest and oldest is Borovets, located at an altitude of 1,350 m above sea level. The local ski areas Martinovi Baraki and Sitnyakovo are suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers, although each of them also has four “red” runs. “Advanced” professionals better go to the Yastrebets area – there is a “black” run. Tourists are taken to the summits by gondola and drag lifts, as well as a cable car. Borovets has slopes for slalom, cross-country skiing and ski jumps.
One of the best ski slopes in Bulgaria is located at the Bansko resort, near the peak of Mount Todorka. The local Shiligarnika area has a special training slope, and Binderishka Polyana is most interesting for snowboarders. A holiday at the Pamporovo resort, which offers all types of slopes – from “green” to “black”, can be combined with balneological treatments: hot springs gush from the ground here.
Excursions, entertainment: from Borovets and Bansko it is not far to Rila and Sofia; the ancient Plovdiv is almost equidistant from all resorts. Bansko has 120 cultural monuments, various museums and exhibitions operate. Borovets is famous for the Rila Lakes and the Rila Monastery.
How much it costs: from 410 euros per week per person; a six-day ski-pass – from 90 euros.
Andorra
Of all Western European ski countries, this one offers the most democratic prices. It is good for tourists who are passionate not only about skiing but also appreciate an active nightlife and profitable shopping (Andorra is a duty-free zone; goods here cost at least a third less than in neighboring Spain and France). The season usually lasts until mid-March.
Resorts: the largest is Pas de la Casa – Grau Roig; these are two valleys located near the border with France. The slopes of the first are characterized by significant elevation changes (especially in the upper part), intended for “mature” athletes. Grau Roig is more picturesque – here there are vast forests and a lot of snow-covered space. The Pal-Arinsal resort is the most “snowy”, since it has the most snow cannons, and most of the slopes face north. In the Arinsal valley, the elevation difference is maximum – 1,010 m. Lovers of “powder”, as well as beginner snowboarders, will most like the youthful Soldeu: the former will appreciate steep off-piste descents, while the latter can learn either in a group or with a personal instructor.
Excursions, entertainment: from all resorts you can take a scheduled bus to the capital Andorra la Vella; in Soldeu there is a wonderful Ice Palace where ice dancing is held; in Pal-Arinsal there are a couple of large discos that go beyond “local scale”.
How much it costs: from 470 euros per week per person; a five-day ski-pass – from 153 euros.
France
Local resorts mainly receive wealthy tourists, and they enjoy constant success among VIP guests. At peak dates, queues form at the lifts. Beginners should keep in mind: France chronically lacks Russian-speaking instructors; in addition, almost all slopes are located at significant altitudes, so dizziness may occur out of habit.
At the same time, the French ski school is famous among professionals all over the world. Here is the largest number of lifts in the world (about 2,500) and the highest peak in Western Europe, Mont Blanc (4,807 m). The season lasts from December to mid-May. Accommodation options are also varied – hotels, apartments, chalets and residences.
Resorts: there are more than a dozen of them in France; the most famous are Chamonix, Megève and the Three Valleys (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens). Chamonix, a resort with a 200-year history, is called the most popular in Europe; almost all local slopes are located at an altitude of more than 2,000 m; here is one of the largest ski schools, which also employs Russian-speaking instructors. In the Three Valleys you can find descents of all difficulty levels and for every taste.
Courchevel is famous for the most diverse apres ski options (entertainment after skiing), as well as the most expensive hotels. In the last couple of years it has become so popular among our compatriots that the French have dubbed it the “Russian resort”. There are kindergartens for children from one and a half years old. The entire European elite gathers in Megève; this place is most to the taste of lovers of gentle, non-extreme skiing.
Excursions: in Chamonix there is a photo gallery, the Mountain and Ice museums; from here you can go to Megève, Geneva and Annecy. In the Courchevel sports complex, famous figure skaters perform during the season and hockey matches are held; in Megève there is a casino, a flying club, many discos and jazz clubs, as well as more than 80 restaurants offering national Savoyard cuisine.
How much it costs: from 1,400 euros per week per person; a six-day ski-pass – from 170 euros.
Italy
The Italian Alps are the most extensive; many international-level ski competitions are held here, and therefore the slopes are carefully maintained. Tourists with mid-level incomes come here (there are very few five-star hotels at ski resorts). There are no problems with children – special nurseries operate for them. Snow lies until the end of March; in April you can only hope for snow cannons.
Resorts: it is impossible to list them all – there are about thirty of them. They are located in five mountain regions – the Dolomites (the eastern part of the Italian Alps, the provinces of Trentino and Veneto), Dolomiti di Brenta (west of the Dolomites), Alta Valtellina (near the Swiss border, in Lombardy), Valle d'Aosta (north of Turin; Mont Blanc is located here) and Val di Susa (western Italy, on the border with France; the Piedmont region). Resorts within the same mountain region can differ noticeably from each other in infrastructure, so when choosing it is better to consult knowledgeable people, and we will tell only about the most popular ones.
The ski elite year after year prefers the resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo (Dolomites), where a cult of luxury and wealth reigns. In addition, thanks to its favorable geographical location, sunny and windless weather almost always prevails here. Most of the trails are designed for intermediate skiers; there are trails for snowboarding, bobsleigh and ski jumps, as well as a large skating rink.
Cervinia (Valle d'Aosta) is the highest alpine resort in Italy. There are trails both for experienced athletes (for example, Bardoney, the high-speed Ventina-Ghiacciai), and for beginners (in the Plan Maison area). The central part of the resort is good for intermediate-level skiers; however, “blue” trails run along almost all slopes. The developed resort infrastructure (many restaurants and shops, skating rinks and swimming pools) distinguishes the resort of Val Gardena (Dolomites). Tourists are attracted to this valley by picturesque landscapes (for example, the Sassolungo peak); there are ski slopes directly to hotels and kindergartens with gentle slopes for little skiers.
Excursions and entertainment: the Dolomites are closest to Venice; in Madonna di Campiglio in February, an annual Habsburg costume ball in the aesthetic of the 19th century is held. From the resorts of Valle d'Aosta you can go to the ancient city of Aosta, the capital of the province of the same name, which is called the “Alpine Rome” for its rich historical heritage. There are many ancient castles nearby.
How much it costs: from 790 euros per week per person; a six-day ski pass – from 170 euros.
Switzerland
A country where everything functions with the precision of Swiss watches simply cannot fail to guarantee a high level of service at all its resorts – including ski resorts. Skiing here is a matter of prestige and is accessible only to wealthy tourists; it is an expensive country. It is not for nothing that many famous people come here. Swiss hotels are the best in Europe. The disadvantages for the domestic skier are the need, in addition to a Swiss visa, to obtain a Schengen visa in order to ski at the resorts of neighboring France and Italy, as well as an acute shortage of Russian-speaking instructors (it is better to remember school English). The season lasts until mid-March.
Resorts: the most “promoted” brands are St. Moritz, Davos and Zermatt. The first is located in the Grisons region, and due to unique climatic conditions, skiers are provided with 322 sunny days a year. It is the birthplace of bobsleigh, luge and curling (all these sports can be practiced in St. Moritz today) and the ski Mecca of the world's beau monde, crowned heads and multimillionaires.
The resort has both off-piste descents and easy “blue” trails, although inexperienced athletes will find it a bit difficult here. Zermatt, which received the honorary title of “The Most Developing Resort” in September of this year, is often overcrowded in high season, it also requires skill and experience; there are no “training” slopes here. Beginners are best off going to Davos, where there are many wide gentle slopes and opportunities for family skiing.
Excursions and entertainment: St. Moritz leads in this regard, where various festivals are regularly held. Auctions, horse racing and even dog racing, and evenings can be spent in casinos, fashionable discos and bars. In Zermatt there is an ice cave at an altitude of 3,820 m, a ski museum dedicated to the history of this sport, and various exhibitions are open. From Davos you can go to the Alpine Botanical Garden, whose collection includes 800 plant species; the resort itself has several museums, for example the Museum of Winter Sports and the Toy Museum.
How much it costs: from 1,500 euros per week per person; a six-day ski pass – from 230 euros.
• Of course, our brief overview cannot cover all the ski resorts in the world that winter recreation enthusiasts should visit. Therefore, if you are attracted by alpine skiing, look for specialized websites, where there is an opportunity in more detail to learn about all the nuances of ski tours. This includes the geography of the trip, various accommodation options, and finally, the possibility of renting specialized equipment. At practically all famous resorts in the world, all these services are provided in the best quality, which guarantees you a wonderful holiday.