mountain system The Alps passes through the territory of eight countries, and on itshigh ridges are the best ski resorts in the world.

They differ in steepness and height, therefore they conqueralpine slopes in France are mostly professional skiers.But just lovers of clean mountain air andsports recreation.

The most elegant and exclusive ski resort in France is consideredmegeve. Its hotels, chalets and restaurants in the style of a medieval villagecreate a unique atmosphere.average price in hotels about 20 thousand rubles per night, but you canfind and much cheaper (or more expensive). W ale De l "Ancolie - not badbudget solution. Hotel Flocons de Sel is a more expensive option.All Megeve hotels can be viewed here.Ski equipment rental in Megeve depends on the brand: from 67euros for the Bronze Pack class up to 108 euros for the Gold Pack. Snowboards canrent for 36 euros.Like all resorts in Megeve, there is a ski pass. It's a magnetic cardthanks to which you can use all the lifts on anytracks an unlimited number of times.The cost of a ski pass for one day is 37.50 euros, for 6 days - 179.50.Children are cheaper - 30 and 144 euros, respectively.

Chamonix, known as the most visited in the worldnatural reserve Mer de Glace (Sea of ​​Ice).Prices in hotels here are lower than in the resort of Megeve.The cozy hotel Vallée Blanche, whose windows overlook Mount Blanc, will cost, by the standards of the resort, inexpensive.In the center of Chamonix in the complex Chalets Champion there are rooms and more expensive. The average price in Chamonix resort hotels is about 15 thousand rubles. The average cost of lifts is 30 euros for adults, rentalequipment: - 11.50 euros for boots, 5.50 for a helmet, 7.00 for skis.

Resort Les Deux Alpes attracts skiers with a height of slopes (3750 m) andrelatively low prices.For a week of stay at the resort, you will pay only 131 for ski rentaleuros, and for a ski pass - 214 euros.If you wish, you can take lessons from a private trainer for 95 euros.The average cost in Les Deux Alpes resort hotels per night is below 10thousand, and a night at the Turan hotel can be very economical.

Beginners in skiing prefer to go to French morzine. Here, as in the resort of Les Deux Alpes, they teach skiing skiing. So a lesson with a personal instructor will cost you 119 euros, the sameSki rental is also worth it. The ski pass will cost 238 euros - and all this for 7days. The average cost of hotels is 8 thousand rubles per night.

A large flow of tourists falls on the Alpine region of Switzerland.His clean air famous resort Zermatt located right next tofoothills of the Matterhorn. Cars are prohibited in the citytherefore, the resort of Zermatt is considered the most environmentally friendly resort Switzerland.

The price per night in the hotels of the Zermatt resort varies from 6 to 29 thousandrubles. It all depends on the star rating of the hotel and the capacity of the rooms.

A ski pass for one day for an adult costs 4530 rubles, forchild - 2296. For 6 days: adult - 22410 rubles, children - 11235rubles. It is noteworthy that for pensioners the resort also has discounts.

To the Swiss resort Grindelwald go to rest families and quietcompanies, as wild parties are not in fashion here. Around the resortthere are toboggan runs along which it is so fun to fly down. Topthe lift is carried out by cable car.The range of prices in hotels in the resort of Grindelwald is very large from 2600rubles per night in the Alpenblick hotel up to 55270 rubles for the Herrschaft chalet.Ski pass for adults for 6/13 days - 19512/31109 rubles.For children 6-15 years old for 6/13 days - 9785/15584 rubles

Speaking of Swiss ski resorts, one cannot ignoreDavos. Casinos, discos and nightclubs, shops and art boutiques,prestigious restaurants are all attributes of a rich life. At prices inhotels it also affects, the most low prices, around 7 thousandper night, can only be found in guest houses, hotels and chalets averagethe price is about 25-30 thousand rubles.Ski pass for 6 days for an adult - 20100 rublesSki and snowboard rental from 1150 to 2053 rubles per day.

The most famous and visited ski resorts in Italy are located inDolomites. Since 2009, the Dolomites have been on the WorldUNESCO heritage.

Over 60 resort hotels Cortina d'Ampezzo ready to welcome loversmountain skiing. The average price for one night is 10 thousand rubles.The price of a ski pass for 6 days is 220-255 euros for adults, 155-178 euros forchildren from 8 years old. There are benefits for retirees.However, against the backdrop of high prices, tourists note low-power cableroads and remoteness of lifts.

A huge number of areas for skiing and excellent quality of servicenoted by the tourists of the resort Val Gardena. The resort is recommended for those who do notvery confident skiing. The trails were originally built forskiers, so getting off the chairlifts forsnowboarders will not be very comfortable.Ski pass for 6 days for an adult - 201 euros, for a child - 141,pensioners - 181 euros.Ski equipment rental is advised to book in advance when buying a tour.

ski resort Bormio known not only for its ski slopes,but also thermal springs- there are nine of them. Temperature insources reaches 43 degrees. The Bormio ski pass includes:neighboring Livigno resorts and San Caterina. So, having bought one card, youyou can ride for free on the slopes of other neighboring resorts.Hotels in Bormio are very inexpensive and with excellent cuisine. The average price is 6500 rubles per night.All Bormio hotels are here.Ski pass for 6 days for an adult - 173 euros, for a child - 124 euros.

Every year we choose the resort where we want to spend winter vacation. There can be many criteria: availability of schools for children, a large number"black" or vice versa - "blue" slopes, a spa center or aqua-houses, the opportunity to live near the slopes or active après-ski ... How many people - so many opinions.

And with each trip, a set of criteria is formulated more and more clearly, and ... everyone chooses for themselves.

And for those who are going to “real mountains” for the first time, the choice is even more difficult: after all, even choosing a country is not easy. By the way: what is the difference between winter holidays in the countries most popular among skiers and snowboarders?

The farthest flight (you will have to fly to Spain) - in dwarf state, sandwiched between Spain and France, has no airport, like a prison. There's just nowhere to put it. And why? The transfer is also quite long - from Barcelona airport to the capital of Andorra - the city of Andorra la Vella, at least two and a half hours, if the weather is good. In the event of snowfall, the transfer time may double - mountain roads leave their mark.

There are few resorts in Andorra, all pistes are well prepared, the vast majority of pistes are designed for beginners and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Among the features of Andorra, it should be noted that the rooms are small in size in some hotels and ... the fact that the whole of Andorra is a duty-free zone: prices for goods are on average 15-20% lower than in neighboring France and Spain. Alcohol is also sold at low prices, and in Spain there are many varieties of their wines and brandies, and this circumstance can leave a certain imprint on the après-ski program.

The cost of tours to this country is relatively low, especially if you are planning a vacation with children: the cost of a tour for two adults starts at about 1200 Euros, for a family with two children you can find offers of less than 2000 Euros. Ski passes in Andorra are somewhat cheaper than in France and Switzerland. And those who plan to train with an instructor will be helped by compatriot instructors who have the right to work on the slopes of the Grand Valira resort quite officially. And not too expensive restaurants will allow you to enjoy good cuisine. Given the presence in the capital of this country of beautiful water complex, rest with children here is very good. It must be borne in mind that in Andorra there are practically no offers of apartments - it is customary to relax in hotels here.

Austria

The closest country of the Alpine four, the shortest flight, the ability to fly to Munich, the presence of glaciers with guaranteed skiing even in a warm snowless winter, a huge selection of accommodation options, ample opportunities for short trips and exploring medieval cities - all this makes Austria very popular country our compatriots skiing or snowboarding.

There are many resorts in Austria, the vast majority are relatively small (compared to such giants as the Three Valleys in France), the ski area of ​​many Austrian resorts consists of a dozen lifts and several tens of kilometers of slopes of the most varied complexity. Few? But before neighboring resort literally “a stone's throw - a maximum of ten kilometers.

Austrian cuisine is for the most part simple and satisfying, as in the Alpine regions of other countries: it is based on pork and beef, potatoes, and eggs. In a word, the simplest peasant products. As a rule, there are no queues in cafes, restaurants, bars. The exception is the après-ski time in the most popular places. In Austria, après-ski in bars takes place on an extraordinary scale: noise, din, dancing on tables and racks ... The main thing is to find your skis later! The best resorts in terms of après-ski, St. Anton and Ischgl are recognized, and the most popular resorts Russian fans winter holiday- Mayrhofen, Solden, Ischgl, Zell am See - Kaprun. Fewer compatriots (especially not on New Year's Eve) in Kitzbühel, the Gasteinertal, St. Anton and the Saalbach-Hinterglemm region.

When choosing an Austrian resort, please note that many of them have large thermal or aqua complexes, where it will be good to “wet” after skiing. We recommend Sölden, Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein. Just keep in mind that it’s better not to go to the “nude zone” with children: entry in bathing suits is prohibited there.

Italy

It is sometimes believed that skiing in Italy is worse than in other countries, but this is not true. In many resorts of the Dolomites (northern Italy near the border with Austria), the tracks are prepared, perhaps even better than in Austria. The Dolomites and the Aosta Valley are considered the most “skiing” regions of Italy, and the most popular among Russians are the resorts of Val di Fassa and Val Gardena, a little less popular are Breul - Cervinia, Bormio and Livigno.

The largest complex of ski lifts and pistes combined with a ski pass is Sella Ronda - 1200 km of pistes, located in the Dolomites. However, keep in mind: if you do not have time to return to the slopes of your region before the lifts close, you will have to take a taxi, and this is not cheap - the way by car is much longer than by skis.

In the mountainous regions, the cuisine is based on the same simple ingredients as in Austria, but there are many Italian dishes (and the matter is not limited to a mass of pizza options), so you definitely won’t stay hungry here. However, during the day many restaurants and cafes are closed - check how things are in the resort when you get there. Of course, on the slopes all cafes and restaurants are open during the day.

Many resorts in Italy are literally a couple of hours drive from famous cities where you can go after skiing. So, the journey from the resorts of the Aosta Valley to Turin by car will take an hour and a half, by train - two. Yes, and there are castles and medieval cities near the resorts, so a trip to Italy can be combined with walks in very interesting places.

The cost of a ski holiday in Italy and Austria is approximately the same - noticeably lower than a holiday comparable in quality in the resorts of France and Switzerland.

And do not forget: many, even the simplest, pizzerias serve excellent coffee, and shopping in Italian outlets can be very “productive”. Unless, of course, you are interested in fashionable things.

France

The country with the largest lift systems would be just a great place for a winter holiday, if it were not for ... the French. It's a joke, but there is some truth in it. Far from all resorts, the preparation of slopes is ideal, and in a restaurant on a slope, a waiter can be rude to you - simply because he did not fully understand your order and brought you not what you ordered. The French are not too reverent about cars either: a scratched bumper of a neighboring car during parking is a common thing. In all other respects, France - of course, perfect place for winter holidays.

The most popular resorts for Russian skiers and boarders are Meribel, Courchevel, Les Arcs, Val Thorens, Menuires, Val d'Isère, Chamonix and Tignes. All these resorts are large, with a large number of tourists, and therefore the tracks located near the center of the resort may be of little use for skiing by lunchtime. But everything above is just great.

French cuisine, of course, is in the lead when it comes to restaurants and cafes in the mountains: there are really a lot of interesting places"public catering", in each resort there are democratic eateries and gourmet restaurants. True, if you have already vacationed in Austria or Italy, prices in a cafe or restaurant, not only in resorts, but also on a slope, may seem unreasonably high.

If you want to go to famous resort, but at the same time it is not too expensive to pay, try to find accommodation options “out of the way”. For example, in the Courchevel valley there is a place called La Tania, and near the Meribel valley there is the town of Brides-les-Bains. In both cases, you can easily get to the main towns by lifts, and living in these places will cost significantly less. And if you are interested in getting to know the alpine city where mountaineering originated - go to Chamonix, one of the most democratic resorts in France. There are budget apartments and expensive hotels here, as well as the longest and most beautiful descent in the Alps - Belaya Dolina, 22 km long. But it is not recommended to go here without a guide.

Switzerland

Holidays in Switzerland, as a rule, are not cheap. And it's worth it. Mountains are beautiful everywhere, but in Switzerland, in many places, the majesty of the surrounding nature literally takes your breath away.

Everything in this country is top notch. All ski resorts in Switzerland are the same standard of quality, solidity and prestige as a Swiss bank or a famous Swiss watch. To name just a few: the traditional Engelberg, surrounded by four-thousand-meter Saas Fe, sunny Crans-Montana, the picturesque Grindelwald, where one of the James Bond films was filmed, the elite Davos, better known as a meeting place for the political and economic world elite. Another resort in Switzerland, Leukerbad, stands apart - its uniqueness lies in the fact that here you can not only go skiing, but also spend time after skiing in the healing thermal water: here, almost all hotels have their own aqua complexes, there are also two large ones - Burgerbad and Alpenterm.

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I often do not have enough words to explain to friends and acquaintances what is so special about a ski holiday in the Alps! Those who have not been to these places cannot quite understand me and my enthusiasm for how it is to “ride all day”, which means “track with a drop of 1500 meters”, and what an unobtrusive rest after skiing in a cozy room is hotel or bar/restaurant.

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1. Authenticity

Any village / town in South Tyrol is a romantic idealized reality. Each house here is beautiful, polished to a shine and cozy to goosebumps. The feeling of a toy and thoughtfulness to the smallest detail hovers in everything. You don't have to walk more than 5 minutes from any hotel to the ski-bus stop. Through passages with escalators connect one street to another in places where it may be necessary for skiers with their heavy equipment.

Most of the hotels here are run by families from generation to generation. You are received as dear guests and settled in simple, but well-thought-out apartments for your convenience. This cozy simplicity is both in the layout and in the cute details of the interior.

We had our own private entrance to the room and our own small Christmas tree decorated with wooden hearts on the occasion of February 14th. All kinds of garlands collected from spice seeds, orange peels and wood cuts decorated almost every door.

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Rustic flower colors never look ridiculous because there is always only one pattern used in one room, as in the photo below. If the curtains are in pink and blue colors, then the bedspread is in tone.

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The feeling that you are at home is why I love apart-hotels in the mountains. There is nothing better than having breakfast here early in the morning right in your room. By the way, the feeling of time here is completely different. For example, I, accustomed to the dark St. Petersburg morning, woke up myself with the first rays of the sun. And the sun rises here, apparently, at about 6:40, and it was at this time that I, as if on an alarm clock, opened my eyes.

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The doorknob in the form of an ermine or a marten each time forced me to put my hand on the head of a wooden animal right between my ears to open the door. It is clear that such a gesture causes a pleasant feeling, and therefore you want to enter the house again and again.

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All kinds of Catholic decorations made of wood or clay fill even a non-religious person with some kind of goodness.

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2. Nature

Of course, this is the main thing here. The day of skiing starts at about 9 am, and this is the most beneficial time for photos. While you are standing on bus stop, the whole village is in front of you at a glance, illuminated by the bright morning sun.

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The light and colors in the mountains are something amazing. I didn't even need additional photo processing, because the brightness of this blue sky does not need to be increased.

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Many people come to the mountains not to ride, but for hiking. This is also a good idea, there are cabins that lift tourists to the top and lower them from there. But, in my opinion, only if you ski or snowboard, you will be able to see all the diversity of nature here. Moreover, landscapes change so rapidly that often the route begins under the clouds, and ends already among the dense growth of fir trees.

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Here you have the opportunity to challenge yourself and climb the Marmolada glacier with a height of over 3000 meters. Of course, this challenge is only formal, because the ascent and descent of the mountain is equipped with the latest technology, and many resort workers are responsible for your safety. But still, when you ride the 15 km long route from the highest point of the Dolomites for the first time, you are overwhelmed with a sense of pride.

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3. Tracks

Sometimes the tracks here cause fear in an inexperienced skier, and this is their whole charm.

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The length and steepness can change as you descend, dividing the track into different levels of difficulty. The biggest challenge for an inexperienced skier is that in order to move along the route, he will somehow have to go through different levels of difficulty. Here you can not ride only on the "blue" or only "red" slopes. Almost any route involves a difficult section that cannot be bypassed in any other way.

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Below is a photo of the castle that you pass when you move along the famous giant slalom track - Saslongu. Saslong is just an example of my inevitable route, which was almost the only fast way to our village from the main skiing region. Or Saslong, or wait for the bus and long and tedious to get around. No other way.

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But there are sections of the route where the choice is up to the skier. True, it cannot be said that from a height of 2500 meters you can drive along a low-complexity track. And I noticed that the sections with blue plates here, at times, are not much inferior to the "red" tracks. This is a big plus to learn to ride in the Alps. When there is no choice, the skill inevitably grows.

//aleksorama.livejournal.com

//aleksorama.livejournal.com

4. Lifts

Lifts are a high-risk area in the mountains. But in the right ski resort, this is the place where you can relax and take in the views. In the photo below - one of the few remaining most inconvenient, in my opinion, lifts, where skis are inserted outside the cabin. This creates some rush when landing. And here you can clearly see the quality of the work of the resort staff. Workers took my skis from me more than once to help put them in while I climbed into the cabin.

//aleksorama.livejournal.com

A large cabin for 60 people is perhaps the only elevator that caused an uncomfortable tingling in the stomach. In 3 minutes, this cabin raises to a height of 1500 meters. This is a very popular route, and there is always a line of people who want to get to another skiing region. The cabin fills to overflowing and it seems that all these people with heavy equipment create unbearable weight for thin metal cables. But, as it turned out, everything is also thought out here. The number of people allowed to the site is counted by the counter.

//aleksorama.livejournal.com

There can be no mistake. But, you see, when you see this, being in a glass box full of a crowd of people, a feeling of fear is a thing that is forgiven by many.

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Most popular - chair lifts! Skis do not need to be removed, the chairs are soft, the landing and disembarkation provides for a smooth ride of the chair. Many chairs located in places where the wind often blows have special transparent plastic covers called bubbles that can be put on to protect against wind and snow during the ascent.

//aleksorama.livejournal.com

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The bright cabanas, or eggs, as they are often called, can accommodate no more than 12 skiers. This is my favorite type of cable car. In the capsule, the ascent can last up to ten minutes. During this time, you can take off your helmet, get a bottle of water from your backpack, or take a couple of photos.

//aleksorama.livejournal.com

5. Lunch at an altitude of 2500 meters

You have breakfast early in the morning. At about 8:30 you are already on your way to the first lift station, and at nine - you have already made the first descent and warmed up perfectly.

And this means that you will have a brutal appetite for the whole coming day.

To do this, you need a little:

• choose a resort with a minimum of slopes
• a year before the trip, rent a "hut" for 10-12 people with one toilet, sometimes even in Europe slip and such, extremely black.
• buy tickets for Wizzair under the action with an arrival somewhere far away from the resort, and then a day to get the cheapest buses with transfers.
• collect lard, canned food and cereals from Ukraine, it's in Europe, basically it costs more. Of course, forget about mulled wine on the mountain and restaurants. On the mountain to take all the same sandwiches with homemade lard.

In this scenario, the biggest waste of such a "luxury" vacation will be a ski pass - about 200 euros for a week. The only dubious advantage will be the ability to boast in social networks on the topic: “How I had a great winter vacation in Austria for 400 euros”

The question is different. Why do we need such a "rest"?

So, how reasonable, economical, but not to the detriment of comfort to organize ski vacation in Alpine Europe? How to have fun without spending a single cent on top and not sweating in quality. How to travel through the winter Alps on your own spending at least two and a half times less than organized tourists. Real life examples, life hacks and the budget of such a ski trip.

The main "life hack" is to ride with the Company. If you are not afraid of noise and disorganization - 8 people, optimally - 4-5 people, the amount that fits comfortably in one car.

Where to go skiing

Depending on the budget, in ascending order of price - Slovenian, Austrian, Italian, German, French or Swiss Alps.

We recommend choosing the so-called "skiing areas", with many lifts and slopes, but away from pretentious and tourist "souvenir-shopping" cities with an active " nightlife which artificially raise prices. After all, we are going to ride or what?

When to go skiing

Our choice is the low season, for example, in Tyrolean ski resort Ischgl , in the period up to December 18, January 9-22 and April. The time of the low season at each resort is different and may not coincide.

The general rule is that the farther from the New Year, the cheaper the rest. This applies not only to ski passes, but also to accommodation and meals. Optimal for most, mid-January, the so-called off-season, as well as the end of February, March and April. In addition, the Alps are full of year-round resorts with a ski area of ​​3000 meters and above.

Well, if the goal is to celebrate New Year skiing in Alpine Europe, which means ... there is nowhere to go, you should grit your teeth and save money wisely.

Transport in the ski resort

Option 1

The most comfortable and most expensive format is an air flight to, Memingen, or Innsbruck, from there a rented car. Where and how to buy a cheap air ticket can be found on this site.

You should not plan such an important thing in life as a winter ski vacation, focusing on the low-cost, in the case of Ukraine, there is only one and this is Wizzair. From experience, in about 5-10% of cases (roulette) flights are significantly delayed, canceled or rescheduled back / forward for several days. It is worth considering this when booking accommodation. In addition, low-cost is a surcharge for luggage, which often offsets the entire gain in price compared to regular flights.

Buy cheap airfare Kyiv-Munich, Kyiv-Zurich, Moscow-Zurich, Moscow - Munich

The plane is definitely when there are only 4-5 days for a vacation, it is more expensive, but there are no other options.

Option 2

The most disgusting and most cheap option recreation - bus tour . "Having tried it once, I vowed to travel by bus not only for a day, but for more than three hours. Hellish fatigue, complete inability to see the surrounding sights - these are three days thrown out of life. Are there really so many days in your life?"

Option 3

The third option is the golden mean, a car trip or a road trip. There are many disadvantages, the main one being travel time and fatigue from winter driving. Residents of the center of Ukraine will have to spend at least two days to move to any alpine resort. Residents of the western regions can get there in a day, but it is better to make a pit stop at the border. I usually combine this road trip with Lviv and overnight stay in Hungary or Austria .

The main plus is the price, the second good bonus of autotravel is the opportunity to see European cities along the way - Budapest, Vienna, Munich, Bratislava, Salzburg, Innsbruck, admire cozy winter villages and fortresses. Another car bonus is the ability to change resorts, ride around the area and carry all your equipment without paying for the rental of skis and boots.

Car rental in a ski resort

Why rent a car in a ski resort? If you arrived by plane, then probably not to a mountain airfield. There are few airports in the world in the mountains that Boeings land on, and your chalet is located 200 meters nearby. Trains and buses in Europe cost quite a lot of money, even if you have to cross fifty kilometers. A car for four or five people (remember the main “life hack”) can be rented for 150-200 euros, which turns out to be 50 euros per person. Wait a minute, this is the price for a week, from Saturday to Sunday!

When choosing a car, it is worth remembering the number of things that are behind your back and on your shoulder - they must fit in the car or the car must have a ski rack - many people forget about this. A ski rack is an optional extra that needs to be booked in advance and is limited in number.

We usually search and find cars on the site rentalcars.com- this is convenient, since you do not need to spend time “wooling” all the sites of rental offices. Rentalcars.com also offers cars from local offices, there is the possibility of free cancellation.

As invaluable bonuses of a car rented for the entire duration of the trip - trips to nearby attractions, trips for groceries (if you have a kitchen and cooking, mostly on your own), as well as ... the opportunity to completely abandon the "free" in terms of money, but "priceless" in nerves, skibasa! Let's put aside the "chalets near the ski lift", they cost wild money. Shaking even for 20 minutes in the “skibus” bus, packed to capacity with people along with skis, helmets and sticks, feel the “joy” from sweat dripping onto your neck and forehead from under your own helmet, grab the handrails for some reason (after all, hands hold equipment) , while the driver rushes along the alpine mountain serpentine is an extremely dubious pleasure? Instead, we left the house, warmed up the car for a couple of minutes, drove, changed into ski boots right next to the lift - and go, that is, up!

How to find accommodation in ski resorts

It is best to ask the price classically - on booking.com. If you have the status of an "experienced traveler", the site provides a number of advantages, expressed in discounts of 10-15% and " special offers for". Booking will list both classic expensive hotels and small apartment complexes from private owners. Here again, the “main life hack” pops up - the larger the company, the cheaper it will be per person rent a cottage/townhouse/apartment with own kitchen and several bathrooms .

The farther from the lift and the route and the lift - the cheaper, optimally at prices - 5-15 km. from the bottom lift station. In addition, it is worth remembering that private apartments are often rented for a week, from Saturday to Saturday. The choice is yours.

In the low season, you can afford not to book at all, but to rent on the spot, if you don’t feel sorry for the time. But only in the low season! In the high season, only pre-booking, and for the New Year they book places in general for the year !!!

In Italy, for the New Year season 2015/2016, we managed to book a very beautiful "house on the mountainside with fresh milk and rolls every morning" for five for 700 euros / week.

Important! If you haven't made your first million yet, your home must have a kitchen. Food in the European Alps is quite expensive. For example, lunch on the mountain will cost 20-40 euros, dinner with wine - already 30-60. In the case of self-catering and a couple of restaurants per week, the price of products with alcohol will be less than 120 euros per person per week.

Skipas

Skipas- this is a pass to the ski lifts of the resort and the right to use the ski bus. It costs 150 to 300 euros for 5 days, depending on the country, resort and skiing season. It is worth paying attention to the combination of days on which the ski pass is valid. I usually buy for five days, this is enough to roll on and leave a couple of days for trips around the area.

Before the trip, you should pay attention to the resort's websites - are there any discounts when redeeming via the Internet "in advance"? Upon arrival at the place, it does not hurt to ask the owner of the hotel what he thinks about the price of the ski pass, is it possible to buy it cheaper? It is still not clear how, but very often this question helps to save 10-15% of the cost of its price.

Ski equipment rental

In case you don’t have your own or you can’t take it with you, you can easily rent equipment on the spot. "Cool" rental points near the ski lift also provide overnight storage / drying of rented equipment, the price range is 40-50 euros / day. Simpler rental points, usually remote from ski lifts, often simply in the middle of a village, offer equipment of the same level, but at a price of one and a half times cheaper. The car makes it possible to take advantage of this offer, and again, it's good to save money. Equipment can be of 2-3 quality levels, check in advance what is included in the "kit". Often you have to pay extra for ski boots, but a helmet and goggles almost always come separately.

For opponents of owning their own skiing equipment, I advise you to have at least your own ski boots - often someone else's shoes squeeze or rub your leg, besides this is a matter of hygiene.

Apre-ski or things to do besides skiing in a ski resort

AT Alps a huge amount of entertainment: hot springs, water parks, mud, nightclubs, restaurants. There is a specialization - mud, hot springs, spa resorts, nightlife. Specify whether you need one or another type of recreation other than skiing. Personally, for me (AlexUA) a balcony with a view, a cozy restaurant and a spa are enough. Information about all this can be obtained directly from the resort's websites, for example http://www.ischgl.com/

It is worth paying attention to the opening hours of institutions; in small villages, neither restaurants nor even grocery stores work after 18:00; as well as prices - even in the Austrian "public catering" you can "accidentally" eat for 40-50 euros.

The budget for a holiday in a ski resort per person

In conclusion, I wish you a “quick” rest and give a real-life estimate on your own organized trip for 12 days of rest in Italy: air flight, New Year in Venice, and a week of skiing in the Dolomites, Val Gardena ski area.

Relevant travel agencies they ask for exactly the same, but the “author's” (!!!) tour is “only” 2500 euros per person, and this is without overhead costs.

• Air tickets Kyiv - Venice - Kyiv (airline "KLM") - 205 euros
• Car rental with fuel (station wagon, full insurance, diesel, mileage 500 km) – 114 euros
• Hotel in the town of Mestre, near Venice (4 days) - 83 euros
• Hotel in the Val Gardena ski area (6 days) - 144 euros
• Skipass (after New Year's Eve) – 213 euros
• Rental of equipment for skiing - 121 euros
• Products, alcohol - 100 euros
• Restaurants, souvenirs - 100 euros

How to find budget accommodation in Val Gardena

Cheap accommodation or hotels in Val Gardena can be found through the booking system Hotels Combined, a service I use myself. The advantage of the service is that it compares the prices of dozens of booking systems - you just have to choose the best offer.

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The best alpine ski resorts

The 12 resorts featured in The Best of the Alps, a global ranking of the most prestigious and famous ski resorts in the Alps, set the standard that many aspire to achieve. Whether it's skiing, snowboarding, hiking, cycling, climbing, golfing, stunning alpine scenery or a quality holiday in the colorful countryside that draws you in, these resorts will provide you with vivid memories for a lifetime.

1. Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France (height 1008 - 3842 m)

Everything about Chamonix is ​​impressive. In the shadow of the highest peak of the Alps - Mont Blanc (4.810 m), in the deep valleys of Chamonix there are slopes for skiers of all skill levels, total length 170 km. It is one of the most popular holiday and skiing destinations in Europe, and a real magnet for professional adventurers looking to conquer slopes over 2,000 meters. There are two main types of ski pass offered: Chamonix le Pass for beginners and Mont Blanc Unlimited for professionals with a wider ski area. It is here, at the resort-ancestor skiing, in 1924 the first ever Winter Olympics took place. Thanks to soft climatic conditions The resort operates throughout the year. The average temperature in winter is about +7 degrees. The skiing season lasts from December to early April. In summer, when the temperature is at a comfortable level of 24 degrees, mountaineering and mountain biking enthusiasts come here with pleasure.

Located just an hour from Geneva airport (103 km).

2. Cortina d "Ampezzo, Italy (height 1224 - 2930 m)

The Cortina d "Ampezzo resort, located in the heart of the Dolomites, attracts both skiers and tourists. Breathtaking skiing, mountain views and charming restaurants create a unique soothing and truly Italian-hospitable atmosphere. This is a status resort where political, cultural and economic rest Italy's elite.Long lunches, plenty of sunshine and smartly dressed people are the norm.Cortina includes four ski resorts that offer a very different, yet always memorable skiing experience.One of the most luxurious Alpine resorts, the center of exclusive Italian boutiques. Highest point located at an altitude of 2,930 meters. The trails will be more interesting for skiers of the initial and intermediate level of skiing. The skiing season lasts from early December to early April.

Approximately 2 hours drive (148 km) from Venice Marco Polo airport.

3. Davos, Switzerland (height 1194 - 2844 m)

With an altitude of 1560 m, Davos is the largest of the ski resorts in Switzerland and one of the best high alpine resorts, as well as a world famous sports center. Consists of five world-class resorts for amateur and professional skiers. The season runs from November 17 to April 8. The vast network extends from Rinerhorn in the southwest to Pischa in the northeast. Davos, with its six fan parks, has become famous as the sewing capital of snowboarding. However, Davos-Klosters also has a huge off-piste potential. City social life is full of entertainment. The other side of Davos is also known as a medical resort.

The road from Davos to Zurich takes approximately two hours (174 km).

4. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany (height 720 - 2720 m)

The towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen make up the most famous ski resort Bavaria, located in the northern part of the Eastern Alps. The most rushes up high peaks Germany - Zugspitze (2.962 m), dividing Garmisch-Partenkirchen into two different resorts. These are classic ski resorts, where the 2011 World Cup took place and the annual World Cup stage takes place. The Zugspitze can be reached by cable car / mountain railway. The season falls on November 15 - April 1. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a ski resort where traditions, quality of relaxation and the beauty of the surrounding nature are valued. The resort can also please with cultural recreation, recreational activities, a variety of routes for cycling and hiking.

Less than an hour from Innsbruck (58 km) and 1.5 hours from Munich (137 km).

5. Grindelwald, Switzerland (height 940 - 2971 m)

The picturesque glacier village of Grindelwald, with its neighbors Wengen and Murren, comes closest to the fairy-tale image of an Alpine ski resort. The greatest impression is made not only by dynamic skating, bizarre bends railway or the idyll of country life, but also the imposing slopes of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, whether you are interested in skiing or taking in panoramic views. Grindelwald is the busiest and largest of the ski resorts. Wengen always hosts the World Cup. The Lauberhorn track is considered the longest downhill track. Murren hosts a speedy hell race every year, with thousands of skiers skiing down a 15km track from 2,000m. 50 km of slopes where the skiing season lasts from December 2-April 8.

Two hours from Zurich (152 km).

6. Kitzbuhel, Austria (altitude 760-2000 m)

One of the oldest and most respectable ski resorts in Austria and Tyrol, a magnet for skiers and tourists. Picturesque medieval city 13th century. Height for different levels of skiing. In January, Kitzbuhel hosts the annual Alpine Skiing World Cup. The Streif downhill track is unique in its complexity and world famous. 179 km of slopes with more than 50 lifts are open from 14 October to 1 May. Diverse infrastructure, interesting for both the wealthy public and young people, the abundance of tennis courts, golf courses, bike trails and climbing routes attract guests from all over the world throughout the year.

The nearest airports are Innsbruck (92 km), Munich (168 km) at 1 and 2 hours drive respectively.

7. Lech-Zurs, Austria (height 1450-2450 m)

The Lech-Zurs ski area is called the Austrian Saint-Moritz. Lech is not only the winner of the title of the most picturesque village in Europe in 2004, but also the most expensive and snowy resort in Austria. Located on the border with Germany in the Arlberg area. A resting place for the wealthy elite who are interested in skiing. Lech-Zurs, the birthplace of the Austrian ski school, is called a resort for the most demanding taste, for any weather and for all times. One of the best off-piste resorts in Europe, with a guarantee of quality snow and a great selection of hard technical skiing. The skiing season lasts from December 1 to April 22, the total number of tracks is 55. Spa areas, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, hang gliding, ice climbing, pragliding and much more are also available for recreation.

Two hours drive from Zurich airport (199 km), 1 hour - to Innsbruck (120 km).

8. Megeve, France (heights 850-2353 m)

The most refined and elegant ski resort and also popular place for purchase . 400 km of tracks. Founded in the 20th century by Baroness Rothschild, the resort attracts not only celebrities and royalty, but also lovers active rest. The slopes, varied in relief, are surrounded by beautiful fir and spruce forests. Galleries of restaurants, boutiques, casinos. The season runs from December 23 to March 24. Megeve has slopes for intermediate and difficult skiing levels, but the resort is also ideal for beginner skiers, fans of a comfortable and soft skiing style.

Approximately one hour drive from Geneva (70 km).

9. Seefeld, Austria (heights 1100-2064 m)

Unforgettable trip to fairy world Tyrolean forest. It is located on a picturesque plateau between the Gschwandkopf and Rossehutte mountain peaks. Excellent conditions for practicing a variety of winter sports. For skiers 17 cable cars. Special sections of the track for beginners and children. The resort - the Austrian capital of cross-country skiing - has hosted the Winter Olympics three times, so the infrastructure is well developed for major sporting events. The season runs from December 15 to March 15.

Half an hour from Innsbruck (20 km), an hour from Munich (120 km).

10. St.Anton, Austria (heights 1304-2811 m)

World famous exclusive resort where the World Cup takes place. Paradise for skiers and snowboarders, lovers of extreme sports. 200 km of various trails, numerous off-piste slopes. Slopes for advanced skiers. For those who can withstand a dynamic pace, full of color, noise, life and vivid impressions. The season runs from December 1 to April 22. Life off the track is also in full swing - there are about 80 restaurants, 20 shops, 10 nightclubs.

Innsbruck is 100 km away.

11.St. Moritz, Switzerland (heights 1738-3303 m)

Most fashionable resort Switzerland and one of the most luxurious in the world. Known as the birthplace of many original species winter sports, venue for the Winter Olympics and the World Championships. The mark of quality and high status is also confirmed by the Top of the World title. Mountain slopes of varying difficulty. Stunning beauty of majestic mountain peaks, snow-covered lakes and valleys, sparkling air, mineral springs. The most aristocratic of the ski resorts, a magnet for the rich and celebrities. Ski resort Moritz is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, with the largest number of five-star hotels and a high level of leisure for connoisseurs of quality recreation and sports. 111 restaurants will offer a variety of cuisines for every taste. The official season runs from November 25 to April 8. There are 190 km of cross-country skiing trails, outdoor activities include sports and health clubs, as well as activities such as cricket, winter golf, horse racing on ice, horseback riding, polo, curling and much more.

Approximately two hours from Zurich (200 km).

12. Zermatt, Switzerland (heights 1620 -3883 m)

Business card ski Switzerland. open all year round. The official season is from January 1st to December 31st. Amazing scale, the highest in Europe Mountain peaks and the beauty of the surrounding nature. The luxurious ski area surrounds three peaks: Dom, Monte Rosa and Matterhorn. The proud Matterhorn (4,478 km) has been the destination of many generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Plenty of sunlight and snow, a variety of trails for all levels of skiing, but especially for advanced ones. Animation reigns in numerous restaurants (about 100), bars, cafes, nightclubs.

230 km from Geneva.

If you are looking for an unforgettable experience from a quality holiday and strive to purchase apartments or, in the ski resorts of Switzerland, France and Italy, our specialists will be happy to see you, as well as select rare objects, taking into account your special wishes.

Cost: €1.295 million