Summer holidays don't have to be about lying on the beach and building up that tan. Flip expectations and try a ski summer holiday instead!
There are tons of great resorts around the world where you can still do that – and they aren't all in the wintry Southern Hemisphere either. Here are six great ones to get those juices a-flowing and that powder a-spraying.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
We kick off in the famous Canadian Whistler valley. This resort is found on the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain, on the Hortsman Glacier, sitting adjacent to Whistler Mountain. Excellently accommodated by brilliant lift and gondola services, Whistler Blackcomb also boasts snowboarding half-pipes, well-designed runs and rewarding off-piste zones.
You have to be quick about your business though – access to the glacier is only permitted between 11am and 3pm from mid-June to late July. Note that the runs are generally tougher than average so only advanced to expert skiers are recommended.
Las Lenas, Argentina
Further south are the relatively untapped winter resorts of Argentina. Along its Andean border with Chile nestles Las Lenas, which plays host to 30 pistes suited to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. There are loads of instructor courses readily designed to improve your level too, so no worries if you're still spending most of the holiday on your backside! Special programmes like Out Of Track and Extreme Expeditions for the more advanced and adventurous also exist: expert guides will help you find the purest of powders for the ultimate skiing experience.
Coronet Peak, New Zealand
Skiing Down Under? No, not Australia – I mean the mountains of New Zealand. Located on the South Island, close to Queenstown, sits Coronet Peak. It plays host to a much loved winter resort that comprises a variety of different ability runs (including for children), long-distance challenges and even night skiing.
Perisher, Australia
Australia too? Yes, really! Located in the Snowy Mountains, a six-hour drive from Sydney, sits a congregation of four villages around which is built one of the largest ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. The runs are best for intermediates and beginners mostly, but with good ski lift access, varied terrain and plenty of freestyling facilities, Perisher is an unsung diamond.
Hintertux, Austria
This is a great summer Alpine resort on the Hintertux glacier – one of the last year-round winter sport destinations in Europe. The experience is as solid as anyone would expect from an Austrian ski resort: excellent travel links, exemplary resort navigation, beautiful views and challenging runs with steep gradients. It's not for the faint hearted, but perfect for seasoned skiers.
Tignes, France
On the Grande Motte Glacier sits Tignes, one of the coolest ski destinations in the Alps. Its reputation is built on the early embrace of alternative ski culture but still has plenty to offer everyone, including 5-day workshops and lessons daily. Tignes' summer season stretches from mid-June to August, but make sure you get to the glacier early because it closes at 1pm – leaving you with the afternoon to relax in the late summer sun after a morning of hard work.
It's a tantalising list, but don't let that distract you from neglecting your travel insurance research – especially on a ski holiday. Having good single trip travel insurance will keep your mind at ease when you're gliding over the drifts and racking up the G's.
Martin Wynn
