If adventure is what you're looking for, Kitzbühel, in the region of. Tyrol, hosts one of the most thrilling races on t
WONDER IS ALL AROUND BACKGROUNDERS EUROPE OFF-PISTE
WHETHER YOU AIM FOR OLYMPIC SPEED OR GENTLE SLOPES, HERE IS A LIST OF THE COOLEST AND LESSER-RIDDEN SKI RESORTS IN EUROPE, WHICH ARE WAITING FOR YOU.
D Tyrol © Österreich Werbung/Wolfgang Zajc
AUSTRIA, TYROL KITZBÜHEL If adventure is what you’re looking for, Kitzbühel, in the region of Tyrol, hosts one of the most thrilling races on the International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Ski World Cup circuit! It is also known for its extensive and varied slopes, a vibrant night life and a beautiful medieval town. D
www.kitzbuehel.com/en
FINLAND, FINNISH LAPLAND LEVI Located in the Finnish Lapland, Levi is the largest ski resort in Finland. Make sure to pack your warmest clothes, as temperatures can go down to -30 degrees Celsius. It hosts a slalom on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit every year, and if you’re lucky you can even catch the famous Northern Lights! D
www.levi.fi/en
FRANCE, SAVOIE VAL D’ISÈRE Val d’Isère is one of the top celebrity haunts in the world of skiing. Located in the Savoie region, it’s linked to Tignes, another trendy resort that has the most extensive glacier skiing in France. D
D Levi © Visit Finland
www.valdisere.com/en/
ITALY, VALLE D’AOSTA CERVINIA To find some of the biggest and highest well-groomed ski pistes, head for Cervinia in the Valle d’Aosta region. It has some of the longest runs stretching through three valleys and comprising two countries: Italy and Switzerland. D
www.cervinia.it/pages/Home_i_en/211
GERMANY, BAVARIA GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN In the Southern region of Bavaria lies Garmisch-Partenkirchen, former venue for the Winter Olympics. It is famous for its downhill ski runs, amazing hiking trails, death-defying ski jumping and perfect conditions for whitewater kayaking. D
www.gapa.de/Garmisch_Partenkirchen_Home_en
SPAIN, ARAGON PYRENEES FORMIGAL With almost 140 km of skiing area, Formigal is popular among families and beginner-intermediate skiers. But the resort, located in the Aragon Pyrenees, can also please advanced skiers who are looking for new off-piste challenges. D D Garmisch-Partenkirchen © Foxys Forest Manufacture/Shutterstock.com
www.formigal.com
BULGARIA, PIRIN MOUNTAINS BANSKO Bansko, in the Pirin Mountains, offers the longest ski runs in Bulgaria. It’s cheap, has a great snow record and a long ski season (from December to May). It is also home to cozy traditional taverns called ‘mehanas,’ where you can eat, hear folk music and sit by the fire. D
www.banskoski.com/en
POLAND, TATRA MOUNTAINS ZAKOPANE Zakopane is perfect for beginners. If you look forward to skiing or snowboarding, this ski resort, located in the heart of the Tatra Mountains, offers you lower prices than the Alps, wonderful landscapes and authentic Polish cuisine. D
D Zakopane © Polish Tourism Organisation
www.zakopane.com
SLOVAKIA, TATRA MOUNTAINS JASNÁ-CHOPOK Jasná-Chopok is the main resort in Slovakia, with 45 km of well groomed, tree-lined ski runs. Located in the Tatra Mountains, it is suitable for beginners, intermediates or advanced skiers. D
www.jasna.sk
ROMANIA, CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS POIANA BRAŞOV D Poiana Braşov © Shutterstock
Located in the Carpathian Mountains, in the region of Transylvania, Poiana Bra�ov has gentle slopes perfect for beginners and a lively nightlife. Not far away, in Bran, you can even visit Dracula’s castle, which owes its fame to its imposing towers and turrets as well as to the myth created around Bram Stocker’s famous character, Dracula. D
www.poianabrasov.com
