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Yahoo! Contributor NetworkTop Five Ski Vacations in the World
It's that time of year again. It's time to dig your skis out of storage and find the perfect ski vacation. For a truly memorable experience, hit the premiere ski destinations in the world.
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This guide to the world's top five ski vacations will help you pick the perfect destination.
Chamonix is a popular resort in the Mont Blanc Valley of France. With the 12-mile ski route of Vallée Blanche, it's perfect for skiers who desire a long run. Pistes are spread over three mountainsides, and you even have opportunities for off-piste and backcountry skiing. For a rustic bed and breakfast, I recommend the Orée du Bois, because this wooden chalet is just 10 minutes from the slopes.
Located in Switzerland, Gstaad is one of the most sought-out ski resorts in the world. Gstaad Mountain Rides is one of the safest and largest ski areas in Switzerland. Great for Alpine skiers, this location offers 26 ski lifts, 10 gondola lifts, 17 chairlifts, and four aerial cableways. The eight children's ski nurseries in the area make this destination irresistible for families. The luxurious Hotel Le Grand Chalet has breathtaking views and large rooms for the whole family.
These resorts are located in one of the snowiest regions of the Appalachians Mountains in Austria. They are the only resorts in Austria to offer heli-skiing, so you can tackle the 110-km of runs with an exhilarating start. This destination is ideal because only 14,000 lift tickets are issues daily, and hotel guests get first priority. You can say goodbye to long lift lines at these resorts! Hotel Gotthard offers rooms and suites to fit all your needs, and it is just minutes from the first lift.
This Canadian ski resort is home to the largest vertical drop at 5,280 feet. With more than 8,000 acres of terrain, it is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. With alpine, backcountry, cross-country, and heli-skiing, this resort has something to offer everyone. Spend your nights at the four-star Aava Whistler Hotel. The hotel is in an ideal location because it's close to both the mountains and the Whistler Village.
I would be remiss not to include this U.S. ski resort. Located in Montana, the resort offers 3,600 ski-able acres. With over 2,000 of those acres made for advanced skiers, this is an ideal location for the experts. It has 17 lifts, a terrain park, and half-pipe for any extremists. The Powder Ridge Cabins will give you the ultimate rustic experience. They offer tons of charm and some sleep up to 12 people. These cabins are ski-in and ski-out, so you can ski right to the front door!
Note: I began skiing 10 years ago, and I've had a chance to try many of the top ski destinations. I appreciate locations with smooth, steep terrains and plenty of lifts for the ultimate Alpine ride.
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