We may well be heading into Summer, but that doesn't mean we can's be excited to get back onto the ski slopes and even brush up on some of our skiing skills in the meantime. Most of us love a good tropical, sun beaming, sea lapping, ice cream fuelled summer of fun, but for others the slopes are calling and who says you can't get a tan in the snow? You most certainly can! Thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies and active, athlete-types usually love a adventure ski holiday and often these type of trips have to be planned well in advance, due to their popularity, so I am sharing with you all the top 7 ski runs which Europe has to offer, so help you select what type of slopes you would like to be hitting this winter! (I know it may seem far off now, but you know time flies!) There are a lot of options close to home that can get you into the thrill of skiing and which cater to varied skill levels. Beginner ski lessons from Chill Factore are available for your first time hitting the slopes. If you’re planning your first skiing holiday and don’t want to travel far, Europe is a great option! Not only is it a short journey away, it is home to some of the world’s most amazing runs. Whether you’re into stunning landscapes and gentle descents, or rapid drops and adrenaline-pumping speeds is more your style, these are some of the best European ski runs to inspire your next holiday. If you're looking for some snow topped inspiration, read on.
Switzerland: Parsenn
This ski run in particular is considered place where Alpine skiing began. After your short journey on the funicular railway, you go up to the 2,662-metre Weissfluhjoch and begin your amazing descent past forests and quaint huts before reaching the valley in Kublis again for the train home.
This classic ski run offers you a brilliant range of landscapes, sights and gentle terrain and with a maximum gradient of 26%, it is perfect for those who are slightly more familiar with the slopes.
Italy: Sella Ronda
The Sella Ronda run is situated in the Dolomites and holds the most amazing views of the Alps. Views of limestone cliffs and open pastures during your descent, this long-distance slope offers a breath-taking experience for beginner and season skiers.
Essentially, the Sella Ronda run is made up of around 14 miles of runs looping around a huge crag that are linked by lifts. It’s the ideal spot if you want to catch a glimpse of several villages along the way, and you can do the run easily in a single day — although, it’s recommended that you try it in both directions!
Ski resorts also offer fantastic photographic opportunities for photography enthusiasts or anyone who just loves a snowy landscape. These shots where taken just around the corner from where I live!
Sweden: Piste 4
Some of the most amazing skiing adventures are home to Scandinavia, Piste 4 at the Riksgränsen ski resort being one of the most popular runs found in the Swedish Arctic Circle. If you want to experience long days, midnight sun and a top terrain for freestyling, a visit during spring is a must! Skiers love launching off the natural bumps of the Riksgränsen slopes. But head to Piste 4 — the most famous here — and you’ll glide into Norway before looping back around during your descent!
France: Sarenne
Apparently the longest black run in the Alps is ten miles in length, you get around 90 minutes of intense and continuous skiing starting from the 3,330-metre Pic Blanc. Before you begin your descent, make sure to check out the stunning peaks of the Parc National des Ecrins.
Taking on this drop of 2,000 meters is one for the more experienced thrill-seekers. However, be sure to watch out for the launch — it’s very steep!
A hot chocolate break whilst skiing is always a good idea, especially as you look out over the stunning snowy views!
Austria: The Streif
A word of caution, don’t try this if you’re a beginner! The Streif is found on the Hahenkamm mountain and hosts one of the most hazardous races in the World Cup — essentially, this is one of the world’s most feared runs!
At the starting gate, get ready to nearly freefall as you begin your 3,300-metre descent at the top of the Streif. In an instant, you’ll have 85% gradients to contend with at a speed of around 84mph! Overall, the course is about 3,312 meters in length with an average gradient of 27% — so perhaps consider some private lessons before you take on this mammoth challenge! The Streif is so famous that a documentary film was made about it in 2015 — Streif: One Hell of a Ride.
France: Aiguille Rouge
Austria: The Streif
A word of caution, don’t try this if you’re a beginner! The Streif is found on the Hahenkamm mountain and hosts one of the most hazardous races in the World Cup — essentially, this is one of the world’s most feared runs!
At the starting gate, get ready to nearly freefall as you begin your 3,300-metre descent at the top of the Streif. In an instant, you’ll have 85% gradients to contend with at a speed of around 84mph! Overall, the course is about 3,312 meters in length with an average gradient of 27% — so perhaps consider some private lessons before you take on this mammoth challenge! The Streif is so famous that a documentary film was made about it in 2015 — Streif: One Hell of a Ride.
France: Aiguille Rouge
France is home to some amazing ski runs, one of which is Aiguille Rouge — the tallest peak in the Les Arcs resort. At 3,226 meters in height and with a vertical descent of over 2,000 meters, this run is classified as black at the top and red a third of the way down.
You get extraordinary panoramic views of the Italian Alps here. Although, it’s best to take on Aiguille Rouge at the very start of the day, as cable car queues get busy quickly! Luckily there’s good quality snow everywhere on the Aiguille Rouge.
Switzerland: Lauberhorn
Maybe adrenaline-pumping runs are your thing and you’re looking for a challenge with your next ski holiday. If so, test your skills on the Lauberhorn. Here, you’ll begin from the 2,500-metre apex and descend 4,500 meters in just 150 seconds! Supposedly, the Lauberhorn is the fastest run in the World Cup. However, there’s much more to contend with than steepness — there’ll also be a 130-foot jump that catapults you into the air and speeds of nearly 100mph — enough for g-forces to come into play.
No matter if you’re a beginner, intermediate or experienced skier, there is a ski run for everyone in Europe! Plus it’s a fantastic way to spend some quality time with family and friends during that time between Christmas and New Year. In fact, I think it would be amazing to actually spend New Year on a ski holiday, as the parties on the resorts are always amazing! Have you been skiing before and if so, where did you go? Have you tried out any of these European run and do you feel inspired to? Let me know! Bilgi x
This blog post contains sponsored content from Chill Factore. All views and opinions remain honest and my own.
No comments
Post a Comment