Five Ideas for a Ski Holiday With a Difference
For many, a ski holiday is about maximum time on the slopes. For others, less concerned about skiing first to last lift, it's an all-round winter experience.
Most of our destinations offer you the opportunity to try new activities, enjoy impressive scenery or immerse yourself in unique local culture. Keep reading for five of our top recommendations for a ski holiday with a difference or, if you already have something in mind, speak to our specialists for advice on where to travel.
Iconic Rail Journeys
A few of our ski safaris include iconic rail journeys but the most impressive has to be the Glacier Express. This luxury rail adventure combines world-class skiing in Zermatt and St Moritz with sparkling mountain scenery and gourmet cuisine. Travelling entirely by train gives you plenty of opportunities to take it all in. For the best experience, we recommend upgrading to first class.
Cultural City Add-Ons
One of nearly 20 city stays that we can combine with your ski holiday, Norway's capital Oslo has a vibrant café and bar culture complemented by world-class museums and galleries. It's an excellent stopover that can easily be added to many of our Scandinavian itineraries. Oslo is convenient for even a one night stay, taking only 19 minutes from the airport to the city on the express train.
Arctic Adventures
This off-the-beaten-track adventure takes you north of the Arctic Circle to a land of untouched snow and the magical Northern Lights. Ski Scandinavia's largest resort, Åre, before taking a sleeper train to the world's most northerly ski resort, Riksgränsen, and nearby Björkliden, where you go can heli-skiing or ski touring or take it easy with a trip to the ICEHOTEL®.
Snow Safety Courses
We always recommend avalanche training before venturing off-piste and one of the best options is Engelberg's free Snow & Safety Days. Over three days, you'll learn how to use avalanche snow safety equipment under the supervision of expert guides, and you'll also get the chance to be guided in what is regarded as one of the top freeride resorts in Europe. Places are limited, so book early.
Winter Activities
Scandinavia is a great place to try a new activity with most resorts offering a wide selection to choose from. Geilo in Norway is a particularly good option for an all-round winter experience, with dog-sledding, fat biking, ice fishing and a tree-top ropes course, as well as cross-country trails and the Langedrag Nature Park & Mountain Farm.