SUMMER SNOW
Summer Snow - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Summer Snow | |||||
| By: Lucy Jones, Issue 44 – Spring 2010 | |||||
| (France, Japan, USA, Canada, Sweden) | |||||
| THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT SHOULDN’T BE OVERLOOKED WHEN A FAMILY PLANS A SKI HOLIDAY. LUCY JONES PICKS FIVE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SKI RESORTS THAT TICK ALL THE BOXES FOR AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES ON SUMMER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. | |||||
| When you’re planning a family ski holiday there are some key features that make a great resort. Children learn quickly and, after a few lessons, will need a good range of beginner and intermediate terrain. Look for a resort that has runs the whole family can enjoy. Children can get bored easily, so many resorts offer activities for children like tubing, ice-skating, toboggan runs and even organised snowball fights to keep them entertained. Ski-in/ski-out accommodation makes the early mornings easy, without the struggle to pack parents, kids and ski gear into a car or shuttle. And while the determined skier isn’t put off by bad weather, children quickly become cold and unhappy in wind and snow so choose from resorts that have milder climates and more sunny days. Here are Luxury Travel Magazine’s pick of the five best international family ski resorts. | |||||
| COURCHEVEL 1850, FRANCE | |||||
| Part of the world’s largest ski resort, Les Trois Vallees (The Three Valleys), Courchevel offers 40,000 hectares of piste intersected by more than 170 lifts. It is made up of four villages at different altitudes, with 1850 the highest and most exclusive. It boasts a number of five-star hotels and private chalets, all directly on the slopes for ski-in/ski-out convenience. With 20 per cent beginner and 50 per cent intermediate runs, Courchevel is an ideal place for children to develop their skills. There are four Zones Exclusively for Novices (ZENs), activities and entertainment for children are held on the Indian’s Piste and The Children’s Village offers child minding and a private ski area. As an added safety feature the resort uses the Magnestick system, whereby small children wear metal back plates that attach them to chair lifts. A number of ski schools offer lessons for children as well as private family lessons. WHEN TO GO Being the highest of the resorts, Courchevel 1850 is the first in Les Trois Vallees to open. The season runs from the first weekend of December to the end of April. French school holidays are in February so the slopes can be very busy, while March is popular with other European tourists. January is the best time for great snow cover and no crowds, but it is also the coldest time of year. WHERE TO STAY | |||||
| Hotel: La Sivoliere, Courchevel 1850 | |||||
| Situated among pine trees at the foot of the slopes this stunning chalet-style hotel reopened in December 2009 after extensive renovations. Built of wood and stone in the Savoyard tradition it offers guests modern amenities, absolute ski-in/ski-out access and elegant French style. | |||||
| Number of rooms:24 rooms, 11 suites and one luxury apartment. | |||||
| Recommended room:The split-level, 150 square metre apartment sleeps six with full kitchen, open fireplace and private terrace. | |||||
| Rates:Apartment from A$5,324 per night. Private chef for extra A$691 per day. | |||||
| Contact:La Sivoliere, Rue des Chenus, 73120 Courchevel 1850. +334 7908 0833 www.hotel-la-sivoliere.com | |||||
| HOW TO GET THERE Qantas operates daily flights to Geneva via London with business class fares starting at A$11,861. www.qantas.com | |||||
| Adrenaline offers helicopter transfers between Geneva airport and Courchevel, starting at A$5,500 for up to five passengers and A$8,540 for up to seven passengers. | |||||
| heliskiing-switzerland.com | |||||
| NISEKO, HOKKAIDO, JAPAN | |||||
| With an average seasonal snowfall of 14 metres and almost daily snow from December to February the snow quality at Niseko is superb. The world famous powder offers a wide range of groomed runs and off piste terrain suited to all kinds of skiers and boarders, with three-quarters of the runs graded beginner and intermediate. The resort is divided into four villages, Hirafu, Annupuri, Niseko Village and Hanazono, with Hirafu offering the widest range of accommodation and entertainment options. Niseko Base Snowsports runs a six-hour kids’ club daily including ski lessons, lunch and activities. The Niseko Kids Adventure and Snow School offers a ski school and day care program for children aged eighteen months to 12 years. Niseko is also the best place to try night skiing, with the largest lit area in the country. WHEN TO GO Niseko has a long ski season and there can be good snow cover from late November to May. From January to March Niseko produces some of the most reliable and consistent conditions in the world. WHERE TO STAY | |||||
| Hotel: The Vale, Hirafu Village | |||||
| The most exclusive resort in Niseko, The Vale is located in the middle of the village and directly in front of the Ace Family lift for ultimate ski-in/ski-out convenience. The Western style apartments all feature stunning views of the mountain and there’s an onsite restaurant, bar, onsen (hot springs) and outdoor heated swimming pool. | |||||
| Number of rooms:47 apartments and two exclusive penthouses. | |||||
| Recommended room:Penthouse Yotei Panorama. This three-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse sleeps up to eight people and comes with five-star amenities, a private onsen and open fireplaces. | |||||
| Rates:Penthouse Yotei Panorama from A$9,699 per night based on six guests for seven nights. The Vale Niseko, 194-5 Aza-Yamada Kutchan-Cho, Abuta-Gun Hokkaido Japan 044-0081 +81 13621 5911 | |||||
| www.thevaleniseko.com | |||||
| HOW TO GET THERE Japan Airlines flies to Sapporo daily via Tokyo from Sydney and Brisbane. Business class fares start from A$5,373. www.jal.com Cool Starlimousine offers premium vehicle transport around Hokkaido and can arrange airport transfers. Prices start from A$742 for four hours. | |||||
| www.cool-star.jp | |||||
| BEAVER CREEK, COLORADO, USA | |||||
| With the slogan “Not exactly roughing it,” Beaver Creek prides itself on being the most exclusive ski resort in the United States. The village has the feel of a sophisticated Alpine ski town while the 1,800 skiable acres cover some of the most beautiful mountain terrain in the world. Mountain hosts are always on hand to carry equipment, lead free guided tours and hand out fresh chocolate chip cookies every afternoon. Beaver Creek has 19 per cent beginner and 43 per cent intermediate runs and experiences an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, making it the perfect place for family skiing. There are organised family activities in the village most nights, including disco skate night, twilight snowshoe tours, glow-stick skiing, fireworks and the Beaver Creek Family Challenge. Childcare is available for infants and toddlers, ski lessons are available from ages three and up and private family lessons are available with video analysis to help you perfect your form. WHEN TO GO The ski season runs from mid-November to the end of April in Beaver Creek and the slopes are unlikely to be crowded at any time of year. WHERE TO STAY | |||||
| Hotel: Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch | |||||
| Situated on the slopes of Beaver Creek Mountain the Ritz-Carlton has stunning views and unmatched ski in/ski out access. Relax in the heated outdoor pools, roast marshmallows over the fire pit or take the resident dog, Bachelor, for a walk. | |||||
| Number of rooms:180 guest rooms including 40 Colorado suites and the Ritz-Carlton Suite. | |||||
| Recommended room: The Ritz-Carlton Suite. This 167 square metre suite overlooks the mountain from a private balcony and features hardwood floors, fireplaces in the living room, master bedroom and bathroom and private butler service. It can be joined with other Club Level Suites to make a two- or three-bedroom suite. | |||||
| Rates:standard rooms from A$850 per night. Three-bedroom Ritz-Carlton suite A$3,777-A$7,909 per night during the ski season. Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, 0130 Daybreak Ridge, Avon, Colorado 81620 USA +1970 748 6200 www.ritzcarlton.com | |||||
| HOW TO GET THERE United Airlines flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Eagle Creek/Vail Airport daily via Los Angeles and Denver. Flights from Brisbane also stop in Auckland. Business class fares start from A$5,432. www.unitedairlines.com.au | |||||
| The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch offers private car transfers for Club Level guests. | |||||
| BIG WHITE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA | |||||
| For a truly family-oriented ski holiday you can’t go past Big White. The resort is completely ski-in/ski-out and blessed with a mild climate, meaning you’ll most likely experience cool, sunny days and dry powder. It is made up of 14 per cent beginner runs and 54 per cent intermediate, and in the 2010/11 season will have designated family skiing zones set up across different runs each day. Big White’s Happy Valley is home to Canada’s largest resort tubing park, two outdoor ice rinks, an ice climbing tower and even mini-snowmobiles for children. The ski school offers programs for all ages and abilities, including Mom & Me and Dad & Me semi-private lessons to introduce children to skiing. WHEN TO GO The Big White ski season runs from mid November to mid April. The resort can become crowded during North American school holidays in the last few weeks of December and in late March. WHERE TO STAY | |||||
| Hotel: White Spirit Lodge | |||||
| A brand new, three bedroom deluxe lodge featuring open fireplaces, spa with steam shower and sauna, media room, separate ski room and chef’s kitchen in over 900 square metres of floor space. It has absolute ski-in/ski-out access, a separate guest house that sleeps four and the option of private catering. | |||||
| Rates: from A$5,300 to A$8,000 per night.White Spirit Lodge, 525 Feathertop Way, Big White, British Columbia, Canada.+1403 870 8738 HOW TO GET THERE Air Canada flies direct to Vancouver from Sydney only with connecting flights to Kelowna airport. Executive First fares start at A$7,438. www.aircanada.com | |||||
| Big White Resort can organise helicopter transfers from Kelowna Airport. Transfers take 22 minutes and cost A$1,244 for up to five passengers. mballingall@bigwhite.com | |||||
| ÅRE, SWEDEN | |||||
| Northern Europe’s largest and most diverse alpine ski area, Åre covers the Åre Björnen, Åre By and Duved resorts. Snow is consistently good and there is a guarantee that at least 10 lifts will be open at all times during the season. There are over 100 runs and 41 lifts, with almost half the terrain suitable for beginners and intermediates. Five dedicated children’s areas will keep them entertained with ski schools, treasure hunts, competitions, barbecues and their very own après ski. Floodlit night skiing is available across most of the resorts as well as dog sled tours, snowmobiling and snow kiting. Ski schools offer private and group lessons and take children from the age of three. The village of Åre is home to a number of stylish shops and over 50 dining options, and these have earned the resort the nickname Little Stockholm. WHEN TO GO Being so far north Sweden has a long winter and the ski season runs from November to May. February is the best time to go as the days are getting longer and warmer but there is still great snow cover. WHERE TO STAY | |||||
| Hotel: Copperhill Mountain Lodge, Åre-Björnen | |||||
| Set on the top of Mount Förberget, the Peter Bohlin-designed hotel offers sleek interiors, stunning views and its own private ski lift. Copperhill is considered one of the finest hotels in Sweden and all amenities are five star. | |||||
| Number of rooms:112 rooms and suites. | |||||
| Recommended room: The Gold Suite. This 110 square metre suite sleeps eight and has three full bathrooms and heated floors. | |||||
| Rates: Standard double rooms from A$2,113 - A$2,550 per week including breakfast The Gold Suite is from A$4,355 to A$5,600 per week including breakfast. Copperhill Mountain Lodge Åre Björnen, 83013 Åre, Sweden. +46 647 1430 www.copperhill.se | |||||
| HOW TO GET THERE KLM flies from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide daily to Trondheim airport in Norway, the closest to Åre. World Business Class fares start from A$6,489. www.klm.com | |||||
| Copperhill Mountain Lodge can arrange helicopter transfers from Trondheim airport to their private helipad. The trip is short and takes around 15 minutes. | |||||
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