If you're a first-time skier and looking for somewhere to go for a beginner's ski holiday then I'd really recommend Andorra. Last January I went there and had a great time. I had no idea what I'd need before I left and thought I'd have to take loads of special clothes and spend tons on expensive gear. This wasn't the case: all I needed was some warm clothes, thick gloves and some waterproofs - all of which I had already. The only bit of specialist kit I bought was some ski goggles which only cost me fifteen quid.
We flew into Toulouse airport and then got on a coach to Pas De La Casa, our ski resort. Unsurprisingly, it's right at the top of a mountain and the drive up the narrow winding roads of the Pyrenees was a little scary, especially when I saw a broken down car covered in snow on the side of the road. We checked into our basic but comfortable hotel and then hit the shops to hire some skis, boots and lift pass.
The first day skiing was really hard and I was knackered by the end of the day. At first I found skiing really hard but it's surprising how quick you pick it up. The main thing you need to know is that it's probably 10% ability and 90% confidence. Basically, if you think you are going to fall then you will. The other thing is not to be scared of falling; the snow doesn't hurt and your skis come off so you don't get stuck in the snow. The rule of the piste is that you avoid the person in front of you, and as everyone does this there are no pile-ups.
Once you get on the steeper slopes like the red runs they are too steep to go straight down so you go from side to side. Once you can do a heel turn this is pretty easy and like me, you'll be amazed that you're skiing down a steep mountain! That is until you get overtaken by a 10-year-old French kid! By the final day I managed to do a black run (the hardest one to do). Believe me, if I can do a black run in 5 days then anyone can do it.
The reason why Andorra is such a great ski resort is because the snow is amazing (they have snow machines to top it up), there are plenty of easy slopes to build up your confidence?and it is a tax haven! This means the apr's-ski is great ? there are loads of bars and clubs that serve cheap and potent drinks all night. You have to try the cocktail of choice a Flugel (vodka, cranberry and Red Bull); it will help keep you partying after a hard day on the piste. Before you go home make sure you stock up on the ridiculously cheap tobacco and alcohol on offer. I bought a bottle of Absinthe for about a fiver! Next year I'm going go back to Andorra but will probably try another resort like Arinsal, Soldeu or El Tarter. Like Pas de la Casa they're meant to offer the perfect mix of great slopes, great nightlife and great prices!
The surprise report shows that the price of a typical ski holiday has risen everywhere in both Europe and Noth America - except for Germany and the United States - with Canadian ski holidays rising in price as a direct result of the strong Canadian dollar against the Euro and British sterling.
Pushing prices up for the 2008 skiing season are not just higher aviation fuel costs and government levied flight taxes, but lift passes, equipment hire and ski instructor lessons have all risen faster than inflation.
Comparing different ski resorts striking differences emerge with ski lift passes costing 90 sterling in Bulgaria and Romania - but over 240 sterling in Banff, Canada - nearly treble the cost.
And private ski lessons also showed great price differentials. Some ski resorts in Romania are offering lessons for 11 sterling, in Switzerland 35 nut in Banff it gord up to 65, nearly six times the cost of their Romanian counterparts.
Once the skiing is over for the day the price differences are still as sharp. While a cup of coffee in Italy is around one Euro, in Norway it is nearer to three, and for those who prefer alcohol a beer in Bulgaria is a pound, but astonishingly over five pounds in Norway - and the cost of a meal shows similar price differentials.
Commenting upon the report, an Andorra travel guide who include ski holidays information comments that 'The difference in prices between different resorts is surprising. We would expect some regional and local variance but not to the extent we are seeing for the 2008 ski season in Europe and North America.'
The lower priced ski countries could see an upswing in visitors in 2008 - much needed after a poor 2007 season in countries like Austria and Andorra. Both countries are investing in their ski infrastructure and benefitting too from low cost airlines offering more flights to skiiers.
Several airlines recently announced a plan to encourage more trips to ski resorts by opening up additional routes for travel to European ski resorts. These fly passengers directly to the airports that are closest to several of the major skiing destinations for many individuals and families on holiday. For example, the UK's biggest low cost airline flies passengers on holiday into Barcelona, which is the nearest airport to the Andorra skiing resorts.
In addition to the flights taking passengers to ski at Andorra, there are several more flights connecting skiiers to their favourite ski destinations. Flights from London, Glasgow, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool and Newscastle all connect UK skiiers individuals to their favourite ski resorts.
The reason airlines have chosen to increase the number of direct routes they provide to ski resorts for the 2007 winter holiday period is due to the fact business is booming. As of the end of October, one airline had over 2.5 million bookings for individuals and families wanting their flying services to travel to skiing destinations in Europe during the winter of 2008.
Both Amber Mike & Roger Munns are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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