Skiing Val Thorens

Skiing in Val Thorens, France

Val Thorens offers a huge variety of ski areas for skiers of all abilities. The resort provides beginners with nursery slopes and wide choice of blue runs, whilst the enormous ski area makes this an excellent resort for intermediates. Advances skiers may be attracted by the more difficult of the on-piste routes, but are more likely to find testing skiing amongst the array of off-piste skiing on an offer.

Furthermore, at 2300 metres, Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe, which usually guarantees good snow. However, crwoding and queuing can sometimes be a problem.

Non-skiers would be well advised to steer clear, with very limited off-the-mountain activity. That said, the resort offers a lively aprés-ski with a selection of bars.

Whistler

Skiing in Whistler, Canada

Whistler is undoubtedly one of the world's top ski resorts, offering a variety of superb skiing as well as fantastic facilities away from the slopes. Whistler is North America's biggest resort, with the greatest vertical rise -5,279 feet- and a ski area that is not only the biggest in North America, but is twice the size of Aspen. The combination of challenging mogul fields, steep chutes, heli-skiing, secluded tree skiing and wonderfully groomed pistes ensures a vast array of skiing on offer to skiers of all abilities. Furthermore, the fun yet effective ski school offers a great way to enhance children's confidence on the slopes. However, such is Whistler's success, overcrowding has become a problem both in the mountain restaurants and on the various lifts, though it's a sacrifice worht making to experience this truly excellent resort. Shopping facilities are excellent, as are the array of other sports on offer, providing much entertaining for non-skiers, whils tthe après-ski offers a typically lively and fun atmosphere.

Vail

Skiing in Vail, United States

Rated as one of the world's best resorts, Vail offers great skiing, with one of the biggest ski areas in the US. The Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin offer great skiing for experts, who wnjoy a vast extent of skiing on offer in Vail, with just over half of Vail's ski area is designated advanced and expert, although some are over-classified. Intermediates typically ski much of the same terrain as experts in Vail, albeit the less-challenging gradients and routes, whilst beginners have a choice between the lower down nursery slopes or the longer cruising runs at the top of the mountain. Not only is Vail a great resort on the mountain, but away from the slopes there is a wide choice of other activities. A selection of other winter sports are on offer, in addition to the vast numbers of shops, whilst Vail is renowned for a bustling après-ski. Lift queues, can, however, be a problem, whilst the slopes are more crowded than one might come to expect from an American resort.

Breckenridge

Skiing in Breckenridge, United States

With four peaks surrounding the resort, Breckenridge gives nothing away to its more illustrious sister resort Vail in terms of scenery. Furthermore, with an array of wonderfully groomed runs dissecting each of the mountains, there is excellent skiing to be had regardless of ability. Breckenridge is renowned as one of the best American resorts for beginners, with several slow-skiing runs ideal for timid beginners. The addition of the high-speed chairlift serving the vast array of beginners' terrain has added to Breckenridge's popularity amongst novice skiers. Peaks 8 and 9 are the best mountains for intermediate skiers, and although choice is limited, the skiing remains enjoyable, whilst Peak 10 is best suited to advanced skiers, offering a selection of moguls for which Breckenridge has become famous. There is an array of off-mountain activity, largely comprised of other sporting activity, whilst there is also a lively aprés-ski.

Beaver Creek

Skiing in Beaver Creek, United States

This upscale resort offers hugely varied terrain, with runs to suit skiers of all abilities. With neighboring Vail the more renowned of the two resorts, Beaver Creek is an exclusive and secluded resort, with the luxury hotels, fast chair-lifts and well-groomed slopes coming at a very high expense. Indeed, such is the resort's exclusivity, only members are privy to the best mountain restaurants. However, if the price isn't a problem, the skiing is enjoyable, especially for beginners, as the majority of the beginners' trails are located at the top of the mountain, resulting in a true 'ski-down-the-mountain' experience. Intermediates have plenty of choice, with 30 percent of slopes deemed as suitable, whilst advanced skiers can test themselves on the array of steep double-diamond runs. Non-skiers can take advantage of the other winter sports on offer, spas and fitness centres, as well as the chic shops. With the bars closing at 12:30 each night, Vail would be a better bet for a lively night out.