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The Top 10 Places you’ve Never Thought of Skiing

So maybe you’ve been returning to the same resort year after year and you fancy trying something new, or perhaps you’re somebody who simply craves new experiences. One of the best things about the hobby that we love so much is the opportunity it offers us to travel the world; as well as getting your ski fix, a ski holiday can also mean visiting somewhere completely new, whether that’s an unknown resort or a country you’ve always wanted to see. Sometimes it’s hard to sacrifice that resort you love to take a chance on something new – that’s why, if you’re curious about a new destination, a weekend ski break is a good option – two days off work and four days skiing! Need some ideas? Let us give you some fresh food for thought and inspire you with our list of top ten resorts that you may never have thought of skiing…

Sierra Nevada, Spain

Admittedly, when you think of skiing, sunny Spain is not the first country that springs to mind. However, with its terrific weather, snow sure conditions and fantastic prices, Sierra Nevada can rival Alpine resorts. True, the resort does see a lot of that Spanish sunshine, but with a base level altitude of 2100m and a glacier at 3000m (the highest resort in Southern Europe) and superb snow making facilities, this is only a positive; Sierra Nevada retains its snow just fine with the ski season lasting from November until late April. Furthermore, Grenada airport is just 1 hour away meaning short transfers and opportunities to incorporate a city visit into your ski holiday. Our favourite feature? You can ski with views of the Mediterranean and on a clear day you can even see Morocco! Wow... Find out more about skiing in Sierra Nevada at Skiweekends.com

Åre, Sweden

Quietly tucked between Norway and Finland, Sweden is not exactly renowned for its skiing and certainly wouldn’t stand up on the international stage... or would it? It may surprise you that Åre (pronounced Aura) made it into the top 10 ski resorts last year. Even though the resort is just 380m above sea level – the ski area is as snow sure as they come. Effortlessly chic, friendly English speaking locals, stunning lakeside scenery, wide cruisy runs and a legendary apres ski scene that includes dancing on tables, what’s not to love? Åre is also home to some fantastic night skiing and if you are really lucky, you could have one of the best views possible of the Northern Lights. Find out more about skiing in Are at Skiweekends.com

La Clusaz, France

Reaching up to 2600 meters, only 1 hour from the airport and you've probably never even been there! That’s why La Clusaz is referred to by the Ski Weekends team as 'the hidden gem of the French Alps'. A traditional mountain town just brimming with authenticity, La Clusaz provides skiers with all the modern facilities whilst still retaining its traditional alpine charm. With Picture postcard scenery, varied skiing, and a tucked-away location that’s far removed from the hustle and bustle of the larger French resorts, it’s no wonder that La Clusaz, once relatively unknown, is fast becoming popular amongst the ski community as the resort that ticks all of the boxes. Find out more about skiing in La Clusaz at Skiweekends.com

Trysil, Norway

Fancy a real change of scenery this Winter? Trysil in Norway is one of our favourite wild cards. Trysil is Norway’s largest ski destination and due to its extensive and varied terrain (75km of it in fact!), it's an ideal option for groups with varying abilities. With fantastic dedicated beginner zones and wide open blue and red groomers near the summit of Trysilfjellet (1132m), it's a great option for a group ski holiday. A unique experience and a true cultural indulgence, Trysil is a great place to try something new like, say, cross-country skiing? Scandinavia is the home of the sport afterall and Trysil boasts almost 86 kilometres of cross-country terrain! Find out more about skiing in Trysil at Skiweekends.com

Engelberg, Switzerland

Engelberg is by no means a popular ski resort among the British ski market...yet! A resort that places you at the heart of the mountains, Engelberg is an ideal option for a ski weekend; with 82km of slopes, stunning mountain scenery, a traditional village centre, snow sure conditions and only a short one and a quarter hour transfer from Zurich. Those snow lovers that like their off piste skiing will be grinning from ear-to-ear in this resort, for Engelberg boasts some fantastic off-piste terrain and with an average snowfall of 600cm, it is home sweet home to dozens of professional freeride skiers! So it must be doing something right. Find out more about skiing in Engelberg at Skiweekends.com

Innsbruck, Austria

Have you ever thought about combining a city break and a ski break? Staying in the city of Innsbruck, you'll be able to enjoy the best of both worlds; experiencing all of the culture, sophistication and shopping that the city of Innsbruck has to offer whilst enjoying a selection of Austria's best ski areas - all of which are either on your doorstep or just a short transfer away. Experienced skiers will get their fill at Axamer Lizum, whilst those just finding their ski legs can do so at the more beginner-friendly resorts such as Fulpmes-Schlick 2000, Mutters and Igls, all of which are remarkably close to the city centre. One of our favourite nearby resorts is Kuhtai, which offers ski-in ski-out convenience, great terrain and has a terrific snow record. Find out more about skiing in Innsbruck at Skiweekends.com

Igls, Austria

Have you ever tried Igls in Austria? This is a great option for skiers and non-skiers alike. Just 15 minutes from the centre of Innsbruck, this compact resort provides the perfect opportunity for a quick city-ski break. As well as having 18km of its own varied pistes, there’s also plenty more skiing around with over 8 other ski resorts within a short drive. Staying in Innsbruck enables you to really get the best of both worlds; enjoy one of Austria’s most beautiful cities whilst skiing in a resort that will cater for all abilities. This is an ideal destination for a short break, and if you have a mixture of skiers and non-skiers, then the nearby city will ensure both groups are kept happy! Find out more about our City-Ski breaks here.

Bad Gastein, Austria

A resort that breaks from the Austrian ski resort norms in a variety of ways, the old Austrian spa town of Bad Gastein is located within the Gastein valley and is an ideal destination for those skiers that like to spa and ski! With 218kms of piste and a top elevation of 2686m, there's more than enough challenging terrain in the Gastein region to tire those legs out - and what better way to recover than by visiting the spa? In Bad Gastein, you’re not short of choice - the town itself was built around a natural spa and it’s now pretty famous for its natural spa treatments - such as radon therapy and the Gastein healing cave. We think couples would really appreciate a trip to this unique snow-covered spa town… Find out more about skiing in Bad Gastein at Skiweekends.com

Ax-les-Thermes, French Pyrenees

Surprisingly, Ax-les-Thermes is still fairly unexplored by the British ski market. Just a one and a half hour transfer from Toulouse airport, it offers a quieter, cheaper and more distinct experience to that of other French resorts. Realtively unknown, the Ax 3 Domaines ski area has 80km of terrain - which includes some of the best tree skiing we've ever done! Highly characterful and suitible for all ability levels, a ski holiday in Ax-les-Thermes offers great skiing, relaxing spas, reasonable prices and some unique Pyrenean culture and cuisine! Find out more about skiing in Ax-les-Thermes at Skiweekends.com

Brides les Bains, France

Brides les Bains does not immediately spring to mind when you think of the 3 Valleys but trust us when we say that this traditional French spa town is an ideal base for those wishing to explore one of the world's largest ski areas without the hefty crowds or the eye watering price tag. And if you fancy a day off the slopes, what better way to recuperate after pounding the slopes of the 3 Valleys than kicking back in one of the Brides les Bain's spas. Find out more about skiing in Brides les Bains at Skiweekends.com

The Top 10 Places you've Never Thought of Skiing

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