The Top Three Ski Resorts in the World

Everyone likes to have a vacation every now and then, but it has to be something truly unique in order to make a lasting impression in their memories. One can always travel to exotic locations and experience several sights and sounds that cannot be found anywhere in his or her home country, or even go to the beach for a nice summer getaway.

However, when it comes to the winter holidays, some individuals would prefer to go on an adrenaline rush. Skiing is one of many favorite activities that thrill-seekers love, and they can simply find much satisfaction in booking accommodations at a ski resort. If you're planning to take your family out for a really unique vacation, perhaps the following suggestions would truly give you a lifetime's worth of memories to be cherished.

Are, Sweden - this is the only resort in Sweden dedicated to skiing which truly exudes the same atmosphere of the Alps. You can simply access the trails by way of cable car, leading you to the mountain top so you can ski your way down the square. You have a wide variety of slopes to choose from, ranging from the most leisurely trails to highly challenging ones that will certainly provide quite the adrenaline rush. However, that's not all you're in for. As a matter of fact, if you're looking around for a way to satisfy your shopping needs, you can simply find a lot of the latest skiing gear in here. You can even indulge yourself in some fine gastronomical pleasures courtesy of the many fine restaurants to choose from. World class entertainment is to be expected as well, with many of the finest Swedish artists performing on a stage which resides in the mountains.

Snowmass, USA - Located in Aspen, Colorado, this is simply 4 distinct vacations rolled into one, especially with the four different mountains to choose from for your skiing needs. You get to indulge yourself in a variety of steeps, glades, terrain parks and what is considered as the longest vertical rise in the entire US, which can only be accessed by lift. You will surely be treated to magnificent views as well as a whole lot of fun.

Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France - If you're planning a family vacation out of the country, this would be a great choice indeed. There's such magnificent scenery to behold, filled with such awe-inspiring glaciers and ice falls. You'll get to ride one of the highest cable cars in the whole of Europe as you indulge yourself in skiing pleasure!

Indoor Skiing - Does It Compare To The Real Thing?

Some people have never heard of indoor skiing, although most cities will have a center if you care to look around yours. It's fun and extreme like the regular, outdoor variety, but participants are provided with an artificial area where there is also snow and slopes that they can use to whoosh around.

Skiing is a hugely fun activity that can be done by anyone as long as they have the proper training and experience, and learning inside is an excellent way to get that experience. Indoor skiing is usually done by using a blade that is strapped to the feet of the skier. Then they use snow slopes as a leverage where they can gain speed and glide through the snow.

This is also known to be much safer than doing it in the wild because the terrain is very safe and comfortable. But, there are also rough terrains where extreme skiers can practice their skill and moves.

You should always practice first at a center before you engage in the real thing because some of the outdoor skiing terrains are very dangerous and it's the real thing, which can be quite cold and scary. Indoor skiing is perfect for beginners and newbies who are just learning to ski.

Although the experiences provided by the man made slopes are not the same as the regular outdoor skiing, it has many benefits and advantages that outdoor skiing doesn't provide.

One of the advantages of indoor skiing is it is very cheap and affordable because the ski centres don't charge anywhere near what a normal instructor would charge. Another benefit is that skiing indoors is very safe and relaxing because the area and slopes are not very dangerous, high or steep. Another great benefit of indoor skiing is that there are instructors and professional skiers that will teach you if you're not yet an expert in skiing. Skiers can also rent ski equipment from the centre for pretty reasonable prices. Another great advantage that indoor skiing provides to the skier is that they can practice all they want even in night time. They can hone their skiing abilities that will prepare them for competitions and events.

These inside slopes are like large sports centers but the only sport that can be done inside is skiing, snowboarding, and even sledding. This is all made possible by snow cannons that provide the artificial snow inside the centre. The whole experience is specially designed to provide the same experience as skiing outdoors. These places also have competitions and events that can be awesome fun for learners and pros alike.

Although indoor skiing may not provide the same extreme experience that the real thing provides, people find it much safer and exciting rather than facing the real slopes.

The Best Places to Ski Around Geneva

When you are flying into Switzerland for a holiday spent hitting the slopes, one thing you want to consider before you land is organising your Geneva airport ski transfers to your intended destination. But, don't worry if it seems like everyone seems to be headed off to the same ski slopes; there are plenty of places within easy reach of the city that provide an amazing array of activities, both on and off the slopes.

If you are contemplating where you may want to go skiing, from Geneva you have a couple of countries to choose from. You can go to the Alps in France at Chamonix, or head across the border to the Italian side to the resort town of Courmayeur before the Geneva airport ski transfers take you back to the busy Swiss, airport hub.

Skiing in Chamonix When you land at Geneva airport, ski transfers will be ready to take you to the heart of the French Alps, to one of the best-known, popular and oldest ski resorts in the Mont Blanc area, and all of France: Chamonix. Located in south eastern France, this commune was the site of the innagural1924 winter Olympics. Chamonix has three main ski areas that consist of 108 kilometres of pistes; the 69 pistes, including 10 black, 20 red, 28 blue and 8 green ones that will keep you busy all day. This resort is popular with snowboarders and you can now catch your skills on camera at the Grands Montets freestyle park! In addition, Chamonix is great for off-piste skiing and snowboarding for those who are a bit more experienced and want to really sink their skis into the fresh powder. And, if you find yourself a bit tired of skiing and want to try something new and different, in Chamonix you can give cross-country skiing and paragliding a go. But if all this seems a bit tame and you want to get a bit of speed under your wings, give the new sport of speed-riding a try! It combines paragliding with freeriding incorporating jumps, twists, turns and getting some air-time with a small parasail. Fun unlimited!

Skiing in Courmayeur If you have chosen to book your Geneva airport ski transfers to take you to and from the Italian side of the Alps, then you are in for a real treat in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is an Italian commune in northern Italy, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe east of Russia.

Skiing at an altitude of up to 2,700 metres, the slopes are aimed at intermediate to good skiers with a variety of off-piste action for those who are real experts. If you are a very seasoned skier, and feeling brave, head up in the small cable car to ski the Cresta D'Arp, which is the highest point to ski at 8,954 feet; this off-piste skiing is only for the experts and in order to do it, you need to book a trained guide to go with you.

But even if skiing isn't your thing, in Courmayeur you can sled, slide, snowshoe and hike around the area - proving there really is something for everyone, on and off the slopes.

The Best Places to Ski Around Geneva

When you are flying into Switzerland for a holiday spent hitting the slopes, one thing you want to consider before you land is organising your Geneva airport ski transfers to your intended destination. But, don't worry if it seems like everyone seems to be headed off to the same ski slopes; there are plenty of places within easy reach of the city that provide an amazing array of activities, both on and off the slopes.

If you are contemplating where you may want to go skiing, from Geneva you have a couple of countries to choose from. You can go to the Alps in France at Chamonix, or head across the border to the Italian side to the resort town of Courmayeur before the Geneva airport ski transfers take you back to the busy Swiss, airport hub.

Skiing in Chamonix When you land at Geneva airport, ski transfers will be ready to take you to the heart of the French Alps, to one of the best-known, popular and oldest ski resorts in the Mont Blanc area, and all of France: Chamonix. Located in south eastern France, this commune was the site of the innagural1924 winter Olympics. Chamonix has three main ski areas that consist of 108 kilometres of pistes; the 69 pistes, including 10 black, 20 red, 28 blue and 8 green ones that will keep you busy all day. This resort is popular with snowboarders and you can now catch your skills on camera at the Grands Montets freestyle park! In addition, Chamonix is great for off-piste skiing and snowboarding for those who are a bit more experienced and want to really sink their skis into the fresh powder. And, if you find yourself a bit tired of skiing and want to try something new and different, in Chamonix you can give cross-country skiing and paragliding a go. But if all this seems a bit tame and you want to get a bit of speed under your wings, give the new sport of speed-riding a try! It combines paragliding with freeriding incorporating jumps, twists, turns and getting some air-time with a small parasail. Fun unlimited!

Skiing in Courmayeur If you have chosen to book your Geneva airport ski transfers to take you to and from the Italian side of the Alps, then you are in for a real treat in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is an Italian commune in northern Italy, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe east of Russia.

Skiing at an altitude of up to 2,700 metres, the slopes are aimed at intermediate to good skiers with a variety of off-piste action for those who are real experts. If you are a very seasoned skier, and feeling brave, head up in the small cable car to ski the Cresta D'Arp, which is the highest point to ski at 8,954 feet; this off-piste skiing is only for the experts and in order to do it, you need to book a trained guide to go with you.

But even if skiing isn't your thing, in Courmayeur you can sled, slide, snowshoe and hike around the area - proving there really is something for everyone, on and off the slopes.

The Best Places to Ski Around Geneva

When you are flying into Switzerland for a holiday spent hitting the slopes, one thing you want to consider before you land is organising your Geneva airport ski transfers to your intended destination. But, don't worry if it seems like everyone seems to be headed off to the same ski slopes; there are plenty of places within easy reach of the city that provide an amazing array of activities, both on and off the slopes.

If you are contemplating where you may want to go skiing, from Geneva you have a couple of countries to choose from. You can go to the Alps in France at Chamonix, or head across the border to the Italian side to the resort town of Courmayeur before the Geneva airport ski transfers take you back to the busy Swiss, airport hub.

Skiing in Chamonix When you land at Geneva airport, ski transfers will be ready to take you to the heart of the French Alps, to one of the best-known, popular and oldest ski resorts in the Mont Blanc area, and all of France: Chamonix. Located in south eastern France, this commune was the site of the innagural1924 winter Olympics. Chamonix has three main ski areas that consist of 108 kilometres of pistes; the 69 pistes, including 10 black, 20 red, 28 blue and 8 green ones that will keep you busy all day. This resort is popular with snowboarders and you can now catch your skills on camera at the Grands Montets freestyle park! In addition, Chamonix is great for off-piste skiing and snowboarding for those who are a bit more experienced and want to really sink their skis into the fresh powder. And, if you find yourself a bit tired of skiing and want to try something new and different, in Chamonix you can give cross-country skiing and paragliding a go. But if all this seems a bit tame and you want to get a bit of speed under your wings, give the new sport of speed-riding a try! It combines paragliding with freeriding incorporating jumps, twists, turns and getting some air-time with a small parasail. Fun unlimited!

Skiing in Courmayeur If you have chosen to book your Geneva airport ski transfers to take you to and from the Italian side of the Alps, then you are in for a real treat in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is an Italian commune in northern Italy, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe east of Russia.

Skiing at an altitude of up to 2,700 metres, the slopes are aimed at intermediate to good skiers with a variety of off-piste action for those who are real experts. If you are a very seasoned skier, and feeling brave, head up in the small cable car to ski the Cresta D'Arp, which is the highest point to ski at 8,954 feet; this off-piste skiing is only for the experts and in order to do it, you need to book a trained guide to go with you.

But even if skiing isn't your thing, in Courmayeur you can sled, slide, snowshoe and hike around the area - proving there really is something for everyone, on and off the slopes.

The Best Places to Ski Around Geneva

When you are flying into Switzerland for a holiday spent hitting the slopes, one thing you want to consider before you land is organising your Geneva airport ski transfers to your intended destination. But, don't worry if it seems like everyone seems to be headed off to the same ski slopes; there are plenty of places within easy reach of the city that provide an amazing array of activities, both on and off the slopes.

If you are contemplating where you may want to go skiing, from Geneva you have a couple of countries to choose from. You can go to the Alps in France at Chamonix, or head across the border to the Italian side to the resort town of Courmayeur before the Geneva airport ski transfers take you back to the busy Swiss, airport hub.

Skiing in Chamonix When you land at Geneva airport, ski transfers will be ready to take you to the heart of the French Alps, to one of the best-known, popular and oldest ski resorts in the Mont Blanc area, and all of France: Chamonix. Located in south eastern France, this commune was the site of the innagural1924 winter Olympics. Chamonix has three main ski areas that consist of 108 kilometres of pistes; the 69 pistes, including 10 black, 20 red, 28 blue and 8 green ones that will keep you busy all day. This resort is popular with snowboarders and you can now catch your skills on camera at the Grands Montets freestyle park! In addition, Chamonix is great for off-piste skiing and snowboarding for those who are a bit more experienced and want to really sink their skis into the fresh powder. And, if you find yourself a bit tired of skiing and want to try something new and different, in Chamonix you can give cross-country skiing and paragliding a go. But if all this seems a bit tame and you want to get a bit of speed under your wings, give the new sport of speed-riding a try! It combines paragliding with freeriding incorporating jumps, twists, turns and getting some air-time with a small parasail. Fun unlimited!

Skiing in Courmayeur If you have chosen to book your Geneva airport ski transfers to take you to and from the Italian side of the Alps, then you are in for a real treat in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is an Italian commune in northern Italy, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe east of Russia.

Skiing at an altitude of up to 2,700 metres, the slopes are aimed at intermediate to good skiers with a variety of off-piste action for those who are real experts. If you are a very seasoned skier, and feeling brave, head up in the small cable car to ski the Cresta D'Arp, which is the highest point to ski at 8,954 feet; this off-piste skiing is only for the experts and in order to do it, you need to book a trained guide to go with you.

But even if skiing isn't your thing, in Courmayeur you can sled, slide, snowshoe and hike around the area - proving there really is something for everyone, on and off the slopes.

The Cost Of A Winter Holiday

It's something that one assumes everyone knows, namely how much is a week's skiing? But I watched something with Eddie Edwards (yes, "the eagle") some woman and some PR bloke from Austria and it dawned on me that perhaps people might like to be told.

Skiing (when I say skiing I mean sliding on snow holidays, boarders don't get your noses out of joint, it's just skiing is a shorter word to type) has always been considered expensive, there was a democratising of price that went on during the eighties and until quite recently, but now you'd be lying to say it was cheap, although perhaps we had more money then.

The papers and PR mouthpieces always try and say "good value yada, yada" - do not believe it, in truth I reckon you're looking at the best part of a grand in any currency for a week per person.

There are three ways you can do the holiday: a hotel - up to you how much you spend, self catering or package. The latter former: A week's ski is usually about GBP500 a head (could be a bit less, could be almost double on the busy half-term week) but as a yardstick a monkey is what you're looking at. This includes flights, transfers, an evening meal (with booze) with breakfast and usually an afternoon tea after leaving the pistes.

Now, when you see 500 it looks to be a deal, BUT (do you like big buts?) this does not include lunch (usually), does not include a ski pass - Eur200 and does not include ski hire - Eur100. There is also one night a week where you will not get fed as the chalet staff are entitled to one night off - perish the thought that enough staff be employed to cover this contingency.

So there you go, the best part of a grand, but this will come with peace of mind. Now the other type of holiday is your self-catering. I'm going to say for a two bedroom apartment in some comfort (such as Alice in Monetier) you're looking at Eur1000 for low-season and say Eu1500 for higher, more if it's half term. Of course you can squeeze your mates in on the sofa-bed, but aren't you getting a bit old for that? I's not 18-30 you know. So let's say Eur300 p/p for a bed.

Flights say Eur100 p/p, could be less, could be more, but as a working figure it's about right. Transfers: Eur50 each way p/p. Or a hire car. The airports that serve Serre Chevalier are Turin and Grenoble with Lyon only 20 minutes beyond that. Car hire is about Eur150 a week.

So we're up to Eur400 right there. Ski pass and hire brings you to Eur700 and I'd say you'd get change out of Eur100 for a supermarket shop for a week, with booze, you do get the ability to make a lunch up, so that makes up for paying rather a lot for food on the hill.

I wish I could say eating on the piste is good value, but you're probably looking at Eur20 p/p per meal. For a family of four that's Eur480 over the week. Yes you can have a sandwich and a bowl of onion soup, always the most economical and hearty, in which case you can pay less. Not certain kids would understand why they can't have a can of coke, but there you go.

Chuck in lessons, that's another Eur100 for the class. There are some places that do bundles lessons, ski-pass and ski hire, such as the Serre Che-based Ski Connections, this can help shave points off the price and are worth investigating. There are some deals to be had, but for the packages these are usually in January or April, the price soars in school holiday times - and anyway why be on the slopes when they are full of kids?

In truth skiing is expensive, but man is it worth it.

The Cost Of A Winter Holiday

It's something that one assumes everyone knows, namely how much is a week's skiing? But I watched something with Eddie Edwards (yes, "the eagle") some woman and some PR bloke from Austria and it dawned on me that perhaps people might like to be told.

Skiing (when I say skiing I mean sliding on snow holidays, boarders don't get your noses out of joint, it's just skiing is a shorter word to type) has always been considered expensive, there was a democratising of price that went on during the eighties and until quite recently, but now you'd be lying to say it was cheap, although perhaps we had more money then.

The papers and PR mouthpieces always try and say "good value yada, yada" - do not believe it, in truth I reckon you're looking at the best part of a grand in any currency for a week per person.

There are three ways you can do the holiday: a hotel - up to you how much you spend, self catering or package. The latter former: A week's ski is usually about GBP500 a head (could be a bit less, could be almost double on the busy half-term week) but as a yardstick a monkey is what you're looking at. This includes flights, transfers, an evening meal (with booze) with breakfast and usually an afternoon tea after leaving the pistes.

Now, when you see 500 it looks to be a deal, BUT (do you like big buts?) this does not include lunch (usually), does not include a ski pass - Eur200 and does not include ski hire - Eur100. There is also one night a week where you will not get fed as the chalet staff are entitled to one night off - perish the thought that enough staff be employed to cover this contingency.

So there you go, the best part of a grand, but this will come with peace of mind. Now the other type of holiday is your self-catering. I'm going to say for a two bedroom apartment in some comfort (such as Alice in Monetier) you're looking at Eur1000 for low-season and say Eu1500 for higher, more if it's half term. Of course you can squeeze your mates in on the sofa-bed, but aren't you getting a bit old for that? I's not 18-30 you know. So let's say Eur300 p/p for a bed.

Flights say Eur100 p/p, could be less, could be more, but as a working figure it's about right. Transfers: Eur50 each way p/p. Or a hire car. The airports that serve Serre Chevalier are Turin and Grenoble with Lyon only 20 minutes beyond that. Car hire is about Eur150 a week.

So we're up to Eur400 right there. Ski pass and hire brings you to Eur700 and I'd say you'd get change out of Eur100 for a supermarket shop for a week, with booze, you do get the ability to make a lunch up, so that makes up for paying rather a lot for food on the hill.

I wish I could say eating on the piste is good value, but you're probably looking at Eur20 p/p per meal. For a family of four that's Eur480 over the week. Yes you can have a sandwich and a bowl of onion soup, always the most economical and hearty, in which case you can pay less. Not certain kids would understand why they can't have a can of coke, but there you go.

Chuck in lessons, that's another Eur100 for the class. There are some places that do bundles lessons, ski-pass and ski hire, such as the Serre Che-based Ski Connections, this can help shave points off the price and are worth investigating. There are some deals to be had, but for the packages these are usually in January or April, the price soars in school holiday times - and anyway why be on the slopes when they are full of kids?

In truth skiing is expensive, but man is it worth it.

The Cost Of A Winter Holiday

It's something that one assumes everyone knows, namely how much is a week's skiing? But I watched something with Eddie Edwards (yes, "the eagle") some woman and some PR bloke from Austria and it dawned on me that perhaps people might like to be told.

Skiing (when I say skiing I mean sliding on snow holidays, boarders don't get your noses out of joint, it's just skiing is a shorter word to type) has always been considered expensive, there was a democratising of price that went on during the eighties and until quite recently, but now you'd be lying to say it was cheap, although perhaps we had more money then.

The papers and PR mouthpieces always try and say "good value yada, yada" - do not believe it, in truth I reckon you're looking at the best part of a grand in any currency for a week per person.

There are three ways you can do the holiday: a hotel - up to you how much you spend, self catering or package. The latter former: A week's ski is usually about GBP500 a head (could be a bit less, could be almost double on the busy half-term week) but as a yardstick a monkey is what you're looking at. This includes flights, transfers, an evening meal (with booze) with breakfast and usually an afternoon tea after leaving the pistes.

Now, when you see 500 it looks to be a deal, BUT (do you like big buts?) this does not include lunch (usually), does not include a ski pass - Eur200 and does not include ski hire - Eur100. There is also one night a week where you will not get fed as the chalet staff are entitled to one night off - perish the thought that enough staff be employed to cover this contingency.

So there you go, the best part of a grand, but this will come with peace of mind. Now the other type of holiday is your self-catering. I'm going to say for a two bedroom apartment in some comfort (such as Alice in Monetier) you're looking at Eur1000 for low-season and say Eu1500 for higher, more if it's half term. Of course you can squeeze your mates in on the sofa-bed, but aren't you getting a bit old for that? I's not 18-30 you know. So let's say Eur300 p/p for a bed.

Flights say Eur100 p/p, could be less, could be more, but as a working figure it's about right. Transfers: Eur50 each way p/p. Or a hire car. The airports that serve Serre Chevalier are Turin and Grenoble with Lyon only 20 minutes beyond that. Car hire is about Eur150 a week.

So we're up to Eur400 right there. Ski pass and hire brings you to Eur700 and I'd say you'd get change out of Eur100 for a supermarket shop for a week, with booze, you do get the ability to make a lunch up, so that makes up for paying rather a lot for food on the hill.

I wish I could say eating on the piste is good value, but you're probably looking at Eur20 p/p per meal. For a family of four that's Eur480 over the week. Yes you can have a sandwich and a bowl of onion soup, always the most economical and hearty, in which case you can pay less. Not certain kids would understand why they can't have a can of coke, but there you go.

Chuck in lessons, that's another Eur100 for the class. There are some places that do bundles lessons, ski-pass and ski hire, such as the Serre Che-based Ski Connections, this can help shave points off the price and are worth investigating. There are some deals to be had, but for the packages these are usually in January or April, the price soars in school holiday times - and anyway why be on the slopes when they are full of kids?

In truth skiing is expensive, but man is it worth it.

The Best Places to Ski Around Geneva

When you are flying into Switzerland for a holiday spent hitting the slopes, one thing you want to consider before you land is organising your Geneva airport ski transfers to your intended destination. But, don't worry if it seems like everyone seems to be headed off to the same ski slopes; there are plenty of places within easy reach of the city that provide an amazing array of activities, both on and off the slopes.

If you are contemplating where you may want to go skiing, from Geneva you have a couple of countries to choose from. You can go to the Alps in France at Chamonix, or head across the border to the Italian side to the resort town of Courmayeur before the Geneva airport ski transfers take you back to the busy Swiss, airport hub.

Skiing in Chamonix When you land at Geneva airport, ski transfers will be ready to take you to the heart of the French Alps, to one of the best-known, popular and oldest ski resorts in the Mont Blanc area, and all of France: Chamonix. Located in south eastern France, this commune was the site of the innagural1924 winter Olympics. Chamonix has three main ski areas that consist of 108 kilometres of pistes; the 69 pistes, including 10 black, 20 red, 28 blue and 8 green ones that will keep you busy all day. This resort is popular with snowboarders and you can now catch your skills on camera at the Grands Montets freestyle park! In addition, Chamonix is great for off-piste skiing and snowboarding for those who are a bit more experienced and want to really sink their skis into the fresh powder. And, if you find yourself a bit tired of skiing and want to try something new and different, in Chamonix you can give cross-country skiing and paragliding a go. But if all this seems a bit tame and you want to get a bit of speed under your wings, give the new sport of speed-riding a try! It combines paragliding with freeriding incorporating jumps, twists, turns and getting some air-time with a small parasail. Fun unlimited!

Skiing in Courmayeur If you have chosen to book your Geneva airport ski transfers to take you to and from the Italian side of the Alps, then you are in for a real treat in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is an Italian commune in northern Italy, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe east of Russia.

Skiing at an altitude of up to 2,700 metres, the slopes are aimed at intermediate to good skiers with a variety of off-piste action for those who are real experts. If you are a very seasoned skier, and feeling brave, head up in the small cable car to ski the Cresta D'Arp, which is the highest point to ski at 8,954 feet; this off-piste skiing is only for the experts and in order to do it, you need to book a trained guide to go with you.

But even if skiing isn't your thing, in Courmayeur you can sled, slide, snowshoe and hike around the area - proving there really is something for everyone, on and off the slopes.

The Best Places to Ski Around Geneva

When you are flying into Switzerland for a holiday spent hitting the slopes, one thing you want to consider before you land is organising your Geneva airport ski transfers to your intended destination. But, don't worry if it seems like everyone seems to be headed off to the same ski slopes; there are plenty of places within easy reach of the city that provide an amazing array of activities, both on and off the slopes.

If you are contemplating where you may want to go skiing, from Geneva you have a couple of countries to choose from. You can go to the Alps in France at Chamonix, or head across the border to the Italian side to the resort town of Courmayeur before the Geneva airport ski transfers take you back to the busy Swiss, airport hub.

Skiing in Chamonix When you land at Geneva airport, ski transfers will be ready to take you to the heart of the French Alps, to one of the best-known, popular and oldest ski resorts in the Mont Blanc area, and all of France: Chamonix. Located in south eastern France, this commune was the site of the innagural1924 winter Olympics. Chamonix has three main ski areas that consist of 108 kilometres of pistes; the 69 pistes, including 10 black, 20 red, 28 blue and 8 green ones that will keep you busy all day. This resort is popular with snowboarders and you can now catch your skills on camera at the Grands Montets freestyle park! In addition, Chamonix is great for off-piste skiing and snowboarding for those who are a bit more experienced and want to really sink their skis into the fresh powder. And, if you find yourself a bit tired of skiing and want to try something new and different, in Chamonix you can give cross-country skiing and paragliding a go. But if all this seems a bit tame and you want to get a bit of speed under your wings, give the new sport of speed-riding a try! It combines paragliding with freeriding incorporating jumps, twists, turns and getting some air-time with a small parasail. Fun unlimited!

Skiing in Courmayeur If you have chosen to book your Geneva airport ski transfers to take you to and from the Italian side of the Alps, then you are in for a real treat in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is an Italian commune in northern Italy, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe east of Russia.

Skiing at an altitude of up to 2,700 metres, the slopes are aimed at intermediate to good skiers with a variety of off-piste action for those who are real experts. If you are a very seasoned skier, and feeling brave, head up in the small cable car to ski the Cresta D'Arp, which is the highest point to ski at 8,954 feet; this off-piste skiing is only for the experts and in order to do it, you need to book a trained guide to go with you.

But even if skiing isn't your thing, in Courmayeur you can sled, slide, snowshoe and hike around the area - proving there really is something for everyone, on and off the slopes.

The Cost Of A Winter Holiday

It's something that one assumes everyone knows, namely how much is a week's skiing? But I watched something with Eddie Edwards (yes, "the eagle") some woman and some PR bloke from Austria and it dawned on me that perhaps people might like to be told.

Skiing (when I say skiing I mean sliding on snow holidays, boarders don't get your noses out of joint, it's just skiing is a shorter word to type) has always been considered expensive, there was a democratising of price that went on during the eighties and until quite recently, but now you'd be lying to say it was cheap, although perhaps we had more money then.

The papers and PR mouthpieces always try and say "good value yada, yada" - do not believe it, in truth I reckon you're looking at the best part of a grand in any currency for a week per person.

There are three ways you can do the holiday: a hotel - up to you how much you spend, self catering or package. The latter former: A week's ski is usually about GBP500 a head (could be a bit less, could be almost double on the busy half-term week) but as a yardstick a monkey is what you're looking at. This includes flights, transfers, an evening meal (with booze) with breakfast and usually an afternoon tea after leaving the pistes.

Now, when you see 500 it looks to be a deal, BUT (do you like big buts?) this does not include lunch (usually), does not include a ski pass - Eur200 and does not include ski hire - Eur100. There is also one night a week where you will not get fed as the chalet staff are entitled to one night off - perish the thought that enough staff be employed to cover this contingency.

So there you go, the best part of a grand, but this will come with peace of mind. Now the other type of holiday is your self-catering. I'm going to say for a two bedroom apartment in some comfort (such as Alice in Monetier) you're looking at Eur1000 for low-season and say Eu1500 for higher, more if it's half term. Of course you can squeeze your mates in on the sofa-bed, but aren't you getting a bit old for that? I's not 18-30 you know. So let's say Eur300 p/p for a bed.

Flights say Eur100 p/p, could be less, could be more, but as a working figure it's about right. Transfers: Eur50 each way p/p. Or a hire car. The airports that serve Serre Chevalier are Turin and Grenoble with Lyon only 20 minutes beyond that. Car hire is about Eur150 a week.

So we're up to Eur400 right there. Ski pass and hire brings you to Eur700 and I'd say you'd get change out of Eur100 for a supermarket shop for a week, with booze, you do get the ability to make a lunch up, so that makes up for paying rather a lot for food on the hill.

I wish I could say eating on the piste is good value, but you're probably looking at Eur20 p/p per meal. For a family of four that's Eur480 over the week. Yes you can have a sandwich and a bowl of onion soup, always the most economical and hearty, in which case you can pay less. Not certain kids would understand why they can't have a can of coke, but there you go.

Chuck in lessons, that's another Eur100 for the class. There are some places that do bundles lessons, ski-pass and ski hire, such as the Serre Che-based Ski Connections, this can help shave points off the price and are worth investigating. There are some deals to be had, but for the packages these are usually in January or April, the price soars in school holiday times - and anyway why be on the slopes when they are full of kids?

In truth skiing is expensive, but man is it worth it.

The Cost Of A Winter Holiday

It's something that one assumes everyone knows, namely how much is a week's skiing? But I watched something with Eddie Edwards (yes, "the eagle") some woman and some PR bloke from Austria and it dawned on me that perhaps people might like to be told.

Skiing (when I say skiing I mean sliding on snow holidays, boarders don't get your noses out of joint, it's just skiing is a shorter word to type) has always been considered expensive, there was a democratising of price that went on during the eighties and until quite recently, but now you'd be lying to say it was cheap, although perhaps we had more money then.

The papers and PR mouthpieces always try and say "good value yada, yada" - do not believe it, in truth I reckon you're looking at the best part of a grand in any currency for a week per person.

There are three ways you can do the holiday: a hotel - up to you how much you spend, self catering or package. The latter former: A week's ski is usually about GBP500 a head (could be a bit less, could be almost double on the busy half-term week) but as a yardstick a monkey is what you're looking at. This includes flights, transfers, an evening meal (with booze) with breakfast and usually an afternoon tea after leaving the pistes.

Now, when you see 500 it looks to be a deal, BUT (do you like big buts?) this does not include lunch (usually), does not include a ski pass - Eur200 and does not include ski hire - Eur100. There is also one night a week where you will not get fed as the chalet staff are entitled to one night off - perish the thought that enough staff be employed to cover this contingency.

So there you go, the best part of a grand, but this will come with peace of mind. Now the other type of holiday is your self-catering. I'm going to say for a two bedroom apartment in some comfort (such as Alice in Monetier) you're looking at Eur1000 for low-season and say Eu1500 for higher, more if it's half term. Of course you can squeeze your mates in on the sofa-bed, but aren't you getting a bit old for that? I's not 18-30 you know. So let's say Eur300 p/p for a bed.

Flights say Eur100 p/p, could be less, could be more, but as a working figure it's about right. Transfers: Eur50 each way p/p. Or a hire car. The airports that serve Serre Chevalier are Turin and Grenoble with Lyon only 20 minutes beyond that. Car hire is about Eur150 a week.

So we're up to Eur400 right there. Ski pass and hire brings you to Eur700 and I'd say you'd get change out of Eur100 for a supermarket shop for a week, with booze, you do get the ability to make a lunch up, so that makes up for paying rather a lot for food on the hill.

I wish I could say eating on the piste is good value, but you're probably looking at Eur20 p/p per meal. For a family of four that's Eur480 over the week. Yes you can have a sandwich and a bowl of onion soup, always the most economical and hearty, in which case you can pay less. Not certain kids would understand why they can't have a can of coke, but there you go.

Chuck in lessons, that's another Eur100 for the class. There are some places that do bundles lessons, ski-pass and ski hire, such as the Serre Che-based Ski Connections, this can help shave points off the price and are worth investigating. There are some deals to be had, but for the packages these are usually in January or April, the price soars in school holiday times - and anyway why be on the slopes when they are full of kids?

In truth skiing is expensive, but man is it worth it.

The Best Places to Ski Around Geneva

When you are flying into Switzerland for a holiday spent hitting the slopes, one thing you want to consider before you land is organising your Geneva airport ski transfers to your intended destination. But, don't worry if it seems like everyone seems to be headed off to the same ski slopes; there are plenty of places within easy reach of the city that provide an amazing array of activities, both on and off the slopes.

If you are contemplating where you may want to go skiing, from Geneva you have a couple of countries to choose from. You can go to the Alps in France at Chamonix, or head across the border to the Italian side to the resort town of Courmayeur before the Geneva airport ski transfers take you back to the busy Swiss, airport hub.

Skiing in Chamonix When you land at Geneva airport, ski transfers will be ready to take you to the heart of the French Alps, to one of the best-known, popular and oldest ski resorts in the Mont Blanc area, and all of France: Chamonix. Located in south eastern France, this commune was the site of the innagural1924 winter Olympics. Chamonix has three main ski areas that consist of 108 kilometres of pistes; the 69 pistes, including 10 black, 20 red, 28 blue and 8 green ones that will keep you busy all day. This resort is popular with snowboarders and you can now catch your skills on camera at the Grands Montets freestyle park! In addition, Chamonix is great for off-piste skiing and snowboarding for those who are a bit more experienced and want to really sink their skis into the fresh powder. And, if you find yourself a bit tired of skiing and want to try something new and different, in Chamonix you can give cross-country skiing and paragliding a go. But if all this seems a bit tame and you want to get a bit of speed under your wings, give the new sport of speed-riding a try! It combines paragliding with freeriding incorporating jumps, twists, turns and getting some air-time with a small parasail. Fun unlimited!

Skiing in Courmayeur If you have chosen to book your Geneva airport ski transfers to take you to and from the Italian side of the Alps, then you are in for a real treat in Courmayeur. Courmayeur is an Italian commune in northern Italy, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe east of Russia.

Skiing at an altitude of up to 2,700 metres, the slopes are aimed at intermediate to good skiers with a variety of off-piste action for those who are real experts. If you are a very seasoned skier, and feeling brave, head up in the small cable car to ski the Cresta D'Arp, which is the highest point to ski at 8,954 feet; this off-piste skiing is only for the experts and in order to do it, you need to book a trained guide to go with you.

But even if skiing isn't your thing, in Courmayeur you can sled, slide, snowshoe and hike around the area - proving there really is something for everyone, on and off the slopes.

The Cost Of A Winter Holiday

It's something that one assumes everyone knows, namely how much is a week's skiing? But I watched something with Eddie Edwards (yes, "the eagle") some woman and some PR bloke from Austria and it dawned on me that perhaps people might like to be told.

Skiing (when I say skiing I mean sliding on snow holidays, boarders don't get your noses out of joint, it's just skiing is a shorter word to type) has always been considered expensive, there was a democratising of price that went on during the eighties and until quite recently, but now you'd be lying to say it was cheap, although perhaps we had more money then.

The papers and PR mouthpieces always try and say "good value yada, yada" - do not believe it, in truth I reckon you're looking at the best part of a grand in any currency for a week per person.

There are three ways you can do the holiday: a hotel - up to you how much you spend, self catering or package. The latter former: A week's ski is usually about GBP500 a head (could be a bit less, could be almost double on the busy half-term week) but as a yardstick a monkey is what you're looking at. This includes flights, transfers, an evening meal (with booze) with breakfast and usually an afternoon tea after leaving the pistes.

Now, when you see 500 it looks to be a deal, BUT (do you like big buts?) this does not include lunch (usually), does not include a ski pass - Eur200 and does not include ski hire - Eur100. There is also one night a week where you will not get fed as the chalet staff are entitled to one night off - perish the thought that enough staff be employed to cover this contingency.

So there you go, the best part of a grand, but this will come with peace of mind. Now the other type of holiday is your self-catering. I'm going to say for a two bedroom apartment in some comfort (such as Alice in Monetier) you're looking at Eur1000 for low-season and say Eu1500 for higher, more if it's half term. Of course you can squeeze your mates in on the sofa-bed, but aren't you getting a bit old for that? I's not 18-30 you know. So let's say Eur300 p/p for a bed.

Flights say Eur100 p/p, could be less, could be more, but as a working figure it's about right. Transfers: Eur50 each way p/p. Or a hire car. The airports that serve Serre Chevalier are Turin and Grenoble with Lyon only 20 minutes beyond that. Car hire is about Eur150 a week.

So we're up to Eur400 right there. Ski pass and hire brings you to Eur700 and I'd say you'd get change out of Eur100 for a supermarket shop for a week, with booze, you do get the ability to make a lunch up, so that makes up for paying rather a lot for food on the hill.

I wish I could say eating on the piste is good value, but you're probably looking at Eur20 p/p per meal. For a family of four that's Eur480 over the week. Yes you can have a sandwich and a bowl of onion soup, always the most economical and hearty, in which case you can pay less. Not certain kids would understand why they can't have a can of coke, but there you go.

Chuck in lessons, that's another Eur100 for the class. There are some places that do bundles lessons, ski-pass and ski hire, such as the Serre Che-based Ski Connections, this can help shave points off the price and are worth investigating. There are some deals to be had, but for the packages these are usually in January or April, the price soars in school holiday times - and anyway why be on the slopes when they are full of kids?

In truth skiing is expensive, but man is it worth it.