Victoria Davies

I have dabbled with skiing, developing a certain slapstick style, but discovered that I’m far more of a natural at snowboarding. The comfy boots were enough to fully convert me.

I was rather a late starter. I was introduced to skiing in Bulgaria a few years ago where I utilised my instructor as a stopping barrier - unfortunately, he had to give up ski instructing as a consequence, but, I understand, has now become a successful chartered accountant. I started snowboarding a few years ago and love it. I have also tried cross-country skiing at Snow Farm in New Zealand; which was thoroughly enjoyable. I have also now been introduced to USA, Japan and Canada. My snow expectations have therefore only increased!

I’m rather partial to snowboarding in New Zealand and Australia. For one thing - it only makes you appreciate the European and North American powder more, and equips you well for hard falls on ice. We were lucky enough to go on a staff trip to Zermatt a few years ago, which I can only describe as epic. My favourite during the 2015/16 season had to be a trip to Colorado which turned into a true safari, and also introduced me to proper lose-your-legs powder! In 2018 I was fortunate enough to jet off to Japan with some others in my team for a week, visiting several resorts in the Nagano region, plus stopping off to see some snow monkeys and the grand finale: Tokyo. We got so much out of the trip as it was also very much a cultural experience.

In 2020 just before covid struck the UK I was extremely fortunate enough to venture to Whistler to see the awe-inspiring mountains and unwind at Scandinave Spa Whistler. Highly recommend it after a day on the slopes. It’s so peaceful and guarantees a good night’s sleep.

Cardrona, located between cosy Wanaka and adventure capital Queenstown, in New Zealand – small, extremely friendly, beautiful, where staff genuinely adopt the company endorsed tagline ‘fun is good’.  Taking a helicopter ride with Air Zermatt over the Swiss Alps wasn’t bad either.  Having the Matterhorn as a backdrop makes the resort a very hard place to leave.

Trysil for some “Spring skiing” at the end of March 2023.  The weather had other ideas though and blessed us with a scattering of fresh powder. 

TBC but I should visit Europe, it’s easy to forget there is plenty of snow closer to home too. I am having a quiet word with each head of department in an overt attempt to get booked onto a trip for each destination Ski Safari operates in, research purposes of course!!

My close friends still don’t believe me – but it DOES snow in Australia. Apparently, the lowest temperature reached in Australia was -23 °C at Charlotte Pass, New South Wales on 29 June 1994, in the aptly named, Snowy Mountains. When skiing/boarding ‘down under’ you have the bonus of sometimes catching sight of wombats, possums, kangaroos and brumbies (wild horses). Luckily no bears though.

As much as I love Cardrona, if you find yourself in New Zealand during the winter Treble Cone in Wanaka is worth a visit. It has the best views in New Zealand and ‘gnarly’ runs. When booking a ski adventure it is always worth having a look at the other activities available. Ski Safari holidays can be so much more than a ski adventure, they’re an experience!

Additionally, Whistler has so much more on offer than its mountain terrain with its extremely wide range of extra activities on offer.  I took advantage of Superfly Ziplines, Zipterk Ecotours, snowshoeing, and of course the wonderful Scandinave Spa. There’s so much out there, it’s worth looking into, and you can always tag on an activity at the end of your ski day so that it doesn’t interfere with precious mountain time.