Archive for February, 2009
Most of the readers’ reports we get relate to the resorts we cover in detail, but we do get some (and would like more) on resorts that at present are covered only in the directory at the back of the book. These reports help us to decide which resorts we might promote to a proper chapter in a later edition of the book. Here are the key points from some of this year’s reports: Read the rest of this entry »
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Switzerland is home to some of our favourite resorts. For sheer charm and spectacular scenery, the ‘traffic-free’ villages of Wengen, Murren, Saas-Fee and Zermatt take some beating. Many resorts have impressive slopes too including some of the biggest, highest and toughest runs in the Alps, as well as a lot of reassuring intermediate terrain. For fast, efficient, queue-free lift networks, Swiss resorts rarely match French standards but the real black spots are gradually disappearing. And there are compensations: the world’s best mountain restaurants, for example. People always seem to associate Switzerland with high prices. Barring some catastrophic accident to the Swiss franc, prices are never going to be low, but usually they are not greatly different from prices in major French resorts; and what you get for your money is first-class. Read the rest of this entry »
Over the page are road maps of Switzerland. Access to practically all Swiss resorts is fairly straightforward when approaching from the north just pick your motorway. Many of the high passes that are perfectly sensible ways to get around the country in summer are closed in winter, which can be inconvenient if you are moving around from one area to another. There are car-carrying trains linking the Valais (Crans, Zermatt etc) to Andermatt via the Furka tunnel and Andermatt to the Grisons (Flims, Davos etc) via the Oberalp pass closed to road traffic in winter but open to trains except after very heavy snowfalls. Read the rest of this entry »
Scotland It’s easy to get to from northern Britain
It is possible to experience perfect snow and stirring skiing
Decent, cheap accommodation and good-value packages are on offer
Mid-week is rarely crowded
There are extensive ski-touring and ski-mountaineering possibilities
Few travel hassles
Lots to do off the slopes
Weather is extremely changeable and sometimes vicious
Snowfall is erratic, and has been poor in several recent seasons
Slopes are limited; runs tend to be short
Queueing can be a problem though usually only at peak times and if some lifts are closed
Little ski village ambience and few memorable mountain restaurants
Read the rest of this entry »
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