Dying to get your skis on? Much to the delight of enthusiasts and novices alike, various ski resorts will be starting the season slightly earlier this year.
Austria has the highest number of ski resorts open in autumn, with 8 already active in October.
The climate is not too harsh and the optimal snow conditions (if it’s fallen already!) are the perfect ingredients for an unbeatable skiing experience.
Here’s some tips on where to go:
HINTERTUX
The Hintertux ski resort provides 53 miles of slopes (37 miles of which are open in autumn), which are all easily accessible thanks to the 21 ski lifts. It’s been voted the best skiing glacier in the world. As well as its wonderful pistes, the resort also offers spectacular natural attractions, like the natural Ice Palace and the Spannagel Cave, considered one of the most beautiful show caves in Europa. Obligatory stop-off: the new Schwarze Pfanne ski run.
STUBAI
The Stubai Glacier provides 40 miles of piste, all connected by 26 ski lifts. It’s the biggest skiing resort in Austria. The Stubai Zoo Snow Park is a meeting place for snowboarders.
SAAS-FEE
This destination on the highest peaks of the Swiss Alps is often called ‘The Pearl of the Alps”. With altitudes that range from 1470 to 3600 metres, the resort boasts 90 miles of ski slopes, which can be used all-year-round thanks to the cold climate, providing a variety of difficulty levels for both beginners and experts.
TIGNES
The most popular ski resort in the Tignes region is Grande Motta. Here, skiers will find 12.5 miles of piste that are accessible even in the summer. There are also cross-country skiing trails and a snow park, located at an altitude of 3200 metres.
CERVINIA
The Cervinia Glacier stretches from Switzerland to Italy. The resort comprises three valleys for a total of 217 miles of piste. The Ventina slope, one of the most famous in the region, covers a 9-mile area that goes all the way to the town. For more expert skiers, the most interesting slopes can be found to the west of the resort.