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'Skiing the Italian Alps' and 'Snow on Sicily', and also
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Skiing in Italy
Italy has always been a consideration for those
interested in experiencing the Alps for less. Having
said that, it is still considered one of the top
European skiing countries today, and is a magnificent
place to take askiing vacation.
There is a certain romance about Italy that makes it the
number one choice for so many skiers each year, and it
is easy to see the attraction with the place. From its
northern snow-tipped peaks, you can also venture towards
the cultural hotbeds of Rome and Turin, and experience
Italy as it is intended, as well as its amazing ski
slopes.
One of Italy's smallest resorts, tucked up high, near
Canazei in the North, is Alba. Based on a tiny village,
the Alba resort is the truest form of skiing escapism,
with amazing off piste skiing to be had. For the keen
skier, this would make for an excellent day trip,
or an excellent weekend away whilst staying at a bigger
resort, and although it has only 5 lifts, it is a real
Italian treasure, and something not to be missed if you
like peaceful surroundings whilst you ski. On top of
that, if you enjoy cross country skiing,
Alba also offers a number of extensive trails for you to
pursue, ensuring that you are likely to have a great
time, whatever you skiing preferences and ability.
If you're looking for something bigger, why not consider
Italy's highest resort, Passo Tonale. An ideal family
resort, Passo Tonale is focussed more around beginners
and intermediates, and provides a friendly atmosphere
that is just simply lacking from some of the bigger
resorts. Passo Tonale is also home to a top class skischool,
employing some of the region's most talented skiing
instructors. In addition to that, the staff pride
themselves on the conditions of their slopes, which are
groomed frequently. From the peak of Passo Tonale, you
are faced with a wonderful panoramic view of the whole
region, which is truly breathtaking, and it has been
known for skiers to spend hours simply analysing the
view. Passo Tonale is a great resort if you are looking
for a busier, more down to earth ski resort for you and
your family.
Selva Gardena is one of Italy's largest resorts, and if
you are looking for some great scenery and excellent,
consistent snow coverage, you could do a great deal
worse than here. A great value for money resort, Selva
Gardena is also child friendly, making it another
fantastic resort to take the family.
Italy has a diverse range of ski resorts to cater for
all different tastes and abilities. In general you will
find all the resorts welcoming and friendly, not to
mention the amazing hospitality you will experience in
some of their restaurants and bars. If you are looking
for a good value for money trip, and you enjoy skiing,
the North of Italy is ideal for you, and can provide any
skier with an adequate challenge of their abilities.
Additionally, with some of the best skiing instructors
in the world, Italy is one of the best places in Europe
to enjoy skiing without paying an absolute fortune.
Italy truly is a great skiing location for anyone
looking to experience the Alps in all their glory,
amidst the wealth and depth of culture and history right
around the corner.
Stop by Ski
Trip Planning to
learn more about skiing
tips and
how to find the best
ski resorts.
Viva Italia: Skiing the
Italian Alps
Italy remains one of the best kept skiing secrets in
Europe, but perhaps that’s how the Italians like it.
Though often overshadowed by France and Switzerland,
Italy offers skiers some of the finest resorts and hotels in
the Alps.
Italia has a relaxed charm and a unique Italian ambiance
that is not found in other Alpine countries. With its
excellent cuisine, fine wine, chic boutique shopping and
sophisticated après ski night life, it's no wonder that
the Italian Alps are a popular luxury winter holiday destination for
the discerning skier.
And off course, skiing and snowboarding aren't the only
winter sports on offer; increasingly more people who
prefer not to risk life and limb by hurtling down a
mountain at break neck speed are enjoying more sedate
winter holidays.
Snow-shoeing for example, makes for a relaxed walk on
the white side; technology has come a long way and snow
shoes no longer resemble unwieldy tennis rackets. New
modern designs mean light weight manoeuvrable shoes,
perfect for exploring snowy forested trails.
Or if you want a real work out, why not give
cross-country skiing a go? This sport is the oldest form
of skiing, and is one of the best forms of exercise
possible. These narrow skis use soft, comfortable boots
which are attached to the ski at the toe only, allowing
uphill travel as
well as down. The sport is good for all levels of
ability, and a great way to get out and enjoy the snow
at your own pace.
As hosts of the 2006 winter Olympics which took place in
and around Torino (Turin), Italy has proved itself
worthy of competing as a ski destination in the
international arena, and for many clued-in Brits,
Italy's laid back attitude to life, love of fine food
and wine, good value for money and beautiful mountains
are an ongoing draw.
Italy has over 100 resorts scattered over the northern
part of the country, in the Italian Alps and the jagged
Dolomites. The mountains of Piedmont, where Pragelato
and Sestriere are located, hosted the 2006 Winter
Olympics and are a particular favourite for ski
holidays.
Pragelato is set within the Chison Valley between two
spectacular national parks, the Val Troncea and
Orsiera-Rocciavre. Swathed by larch and fir woods, wide
alpine grassland and glaciers, these natural sanctuaries
dominated by silence, are ideal habitats for an array of
wildlife, and the area offers some of Italy's finest
skiing and snowboarding.
With a flight from the UK taking under three hours,
Italy is just as accessible as other Alpine nations and
generally considered slightly better value compared to
other British favourites such as Switzerland and France.
So, maybe it's time you tried skiing the Italian way.
About the author:
Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance
journalist and keen movie-goer from Scotland. Her
interests include travelling, cooking and photography.
Skiing the Volcano: Snow
on Sicily
The
Italian Alps are well known for skiing and offers dozens
of mountain resorts, from the duty free zone of Livigno,
to the glitzy Cervinia. However, what many people don't
realise is that it's possible to ski on Mount Etna in
Sicily - Italy's mafia soaked Mediterranean Island,
which lies off the south coast of the country.
Mount Etna is the largest and highest volcano in Europe,
and one of the most active volcanoes in the world; and
is in a state of almost continuous state of eruption.
Sicily was chosen by the Gods of Olympus as the scene
for their sagas of love and war, passion and revenge,
and it was Mount Etna - the realm of Vulcan, god of fire
- that was the home of the one-eyed monster known as the
Cyclops; today it's still a land of fire and latent
wrath.
Building a ski area on an active volcano is not without
its difficulties; continuous eruptions and lava flows
have repeatedly damaged or destroyed various lifts
systems in the past. In October 2002, rivers of boiling
lava poured down from Mount Etna's crater, engulfing
small buildings, incinerating pine trees, pushing over
ski lift pylons, knocking down power lines and
swallowing a skischool hut
before surrounding an empty mountain (everyone had been
evacuated). However, the Sicilians have become
accustomed to living in the shadow of the volcano, and
have always rebuilt what the lava has destroyed.
Skiers and snowboarder describe the Etna experience as
like nothing else in the Alpine world: "It's an amazing
place to ski - on a clear day you can see the sea, and
at the same time you have a plume of gas and steam
constantly rising from the summit".
There are two ski areas on Etna; the southern slope is
Rifugio Sapienza and the northern resort is Linguaglossa.
As with any other ski
holiday in Italy,hotels,
instruction and ski rental is available in both resorts.
The snow also provides ample opportunity forcross country skiing,
snowshoeing, and snowboarding.
Despite Etna's southerly latitude in the warm seas of
the Mediterranean, the 3350m elevation means that in
winter it receives deep snows, even down to the lower
altitudes of 1800m. The area also offers plenty of warm
Sicilian hospitality and wonderful authentic cuisine.
If you're looking for a ski trip in
the danger zone, Italy's smouldering Etna should
definitely be on your list. Just watch out for the lava.
About the author:
Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and
keen gardener. He lives in Scotland with his two dogs.
