Been there, done the European resorts? Janine Kelso looks at some long-haul skiing options.
If you’ve sped down French slopes and negotiated the pistes of Austria and Switzerland, why not consider travelling further afield for a change of ski culture?
Long-haul resorts are often quieter and snow-sure, with lashings of powder. Read on for some up-and-coming snow destinations.
Japan
With guaranteed light powder snow and uncrowded slopes, it’s little wonder that Japan is emerging as a winter sports hotspot for Brits.
Kuoni and Crystal have added the Japanese resort of Niseko on the northern island of Hokkaido to their snow programmes for 2009. The resort has an amazing snow record during its December-March season, pistes for all skiing levels and no waiting time for lifts.
What’s surprising is that drinking and dining costs are cheaper than in many European resorts. Lift passes are also good value. The resort offers Western and Japanese fare and natural hot springs to ease your aching muscles après-ski.
Inghams has run its Japanese programme for two years and for 2009 it has introduced Warren Smith’s Ski Academy, a five-day course in the resorts of Niseko and Furano, ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers who want to improve.
The course runs during half term from February 11-22 2009.
South America
Ski resorts in the Andes of Chile and Argentina are famed for their varied terrain, great mountain scenery and lack of crowds.
That’s why Kuoni and Crystal have both introduced the resort of Valle Nevado in Chile to their programmes. Kuoni has also added Portillo in Chile and Cerro Catedral in Argentina.
Valle Nevado is only an hour’s drive from the Chilean capital, Santiago, and is suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers. The ski village has a ski school, snow park and other sporting activities including heli-skiing, trekking, mountaineering and snowmobiling.
The resort of Portillo appeals to upmarket skiers and boarders who like open pistes and plenty of powder.
Cerro Catedral has 100km of pistes and is surrounded by mountain lakes and pine forests.
New Zealand and Australia
Ever considered a ski holiday Down Under? Probably not. But if you want to trump your mates’ winter break and you’re not phased by long flights, the resort of Queenstown in New Zealand has been introduced to Kuoni and Ski Dream’s snow programmes for the first time for the upcoming season.