Tag: Ski

  • Why This European Country Is A Surprisingly Affordable Ski Destination For Americans

    Why This European Country Is A Surprisingly Affordable Ski Destination For Americans

    [ad_1]

    Share The Article

    Last Updated

    This winter, a ski trip to Europe is cheaper than you might think.

    In fact, there’s one popular ski destination that may even be more affordable for American travelers than traveling to popular U.S. ski destinations.

    Northern Italy is a surprisingly affordable destination this winter for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports (or for anyone who just enjoys a good après-ski!)

    Skiing in the Dolomites

    Here’s why you should consider Italy for your next ski trip, and how a trip to the Italian Alps might be more affordable than you think.

    Great Conditions For Skiing

    You can’t beat the Italian Alps when it comes to skiing. There’s a reason why this is a world-renowned ski destination.

    The mountains in northern Italy have great conditions for skiing as well as other winter sports like snowboarding. The Alps cover all of northern Italy, with the Dolomites in the northeastern part of the country being particularly popular with skiers.

    Male Skier in Italy

    There are tons of great ski destinations located within the regions of Valle d’Aosta, Piemonte, and Trentino-Alto Adige.

    Several of the world’s best ski resorts are located in Italy, such as Racines-Giovo and Carezza.

    Affordable Flights

    Here’s where you might be thinking that a ski trip to Italy is way out of budget. Surely flying to Europe is more expensive than flying to a ski destination in the United States?

    carezza ski resort, Italy

    But for many Americans, especially those on the East Coast, flying to Italy can actually be cheaper than flying domestically!

    That’s because Milan, the city closest to northern Italy’s ski towns, is a major flight hub and it’s often possible to find good deals on airfare. Winter is also the off-season for flights to Italy (especially January through March) so you can save even more money.

    Milan Duomo with a colorful sky

    For example, looking at nonstop flights out of New York’s JFK for a week-long trip in February yields the following round-trip prices:

    • JFK to Vail, Colorado: $1,129
    • JFK to Jackson Hole, Wyoming: $1,298
    • JFK to Milan, Italy: $648

    As you can see, it’s actually significantly cheaper to fly nonstop to Milan than it is to Vail or Jackson Hole.

    Even if your flight savings aren’t quite as dramatic as this, you can still make up for the savings in other areas such as…

    Airplane being preparing ready for takeoff in international airport at sunset - Travel around the world.

    Budget-Friendly Accommodations

    Another thing about northern Italy ski towns that is cheaper than the United States?

    Budget-friendly accommodations! Whether you choose a hotel or a self-catering rental, you can often save a lot of money in Italy compared to similar properties in the United States.

    According to BudgetYourTrip, the average nightly price for a hotel room in Vail, Colorado is $887 per night. This isn’t even for five-star luxury hotels — it’s just the average for ALL hotels.

    Livigno Italy in the snow

    There are obviously cheaper ski destinations in the U.S. than Vail, but you still might end up spending $500+ a night on accommodation during ski season.

    Meanwhile, in northern Italy, you can find much better deals on accommodation. According to BudgetYourTrip, the average nightly price for a hotel room in Livigno, Italy (a popular ski destination) is just $145 per night.

    Cheaper Ski Lift Passes

    You can also save big on ski lift passes in Italy compared to the United States.

    Two Skiers Going On Ski Lift

    Lift ticket pricing in the U.S. is out of control, with the cost of a weekday pass in Vail, Colorado reaching a sky-high $229 this season. A weekend pass will set you back $269.

    Meanwhile, a day pass in Racines-Giovo, one of Italy’s top ski resorts, is only around €60 ($65 USD.)

    This is a huge savings, and it really adds up over the course of your ski vacation.

    Monterosa ski - ski resort - Valle d'Aosta - Italy

    In addition to lift tickets being cheaper, you can also save money on other aspects of your trip, such as ski lessons and ski rentals.

    Read More:

    Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

    How To Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

    ↓ Join Our Community ↓

    The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily! 

    Travel-off-Path-group-1-1
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

    Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

    This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • These Are The Top 5 Best Ski Resorts In The World For 2024 According To New Study

    These Are The Top 5 Best Ski Resorts In The World For 2024 According To New Study

    [ad_1]

    Share The Article

    Last Updated

    Now that winter has officially begun in the Northern Hemisphere, travelers are gearing up for the next ski season by browsing the many, many resorts around the world all promising the same thing — the adventure of a lifetime.

    Many Americans are even planning to cross oceans in search of their perfect ski resort, though in that case, the options become so vast that the task of finding that perfect place for their next winter adventures seems borderline impossible.

    A group of skiers start the descent of Valle Blanche, the most famous offpist run in the Alps, Valle Blanche descent links Italy and France through the Mont Blanc Massif. Chamonix, France, Europe

    Luckily, InsureMyTrip, a U.S.-based travel insurance agency, recently conducted a study on the best ski resorts in the world so you don’t have to.

    Their analysis took into account criteria like costs, slope length, snowfall, hotel and bar ratings, as well as social media popularity, and these were the five resorts that scored the highest across the board:

    5. Racines-Giovo, Italy

    There’s no better way to spend a cozy winter getaway than right in the heart of the Italian Alps, where Racines-Giovo promises skiers of all experience levels pristine slopes, a tranquil atmosphere, and a general sense of exclusivity that makes the 60€ ($64.6) daily pass feel entirely worth it.

    Those looking to experience that authentic Italian alpine culture will love exploring the 16.9 miles (27.2 km) of slopes available during peak season, while the cozy mountain villages, delectable cuisine, and warm hospitality will just be icing on the snow-covered cake.

    view of snowy mountains in racines giovo

    The recently built gondola lift will take you right above the tree line, from where you’ll be able to appreciate the surrounding landscape and state-of-the-art slopes that much more.

    4. Carezza, Italy

    While in Italy, you’ll want to add a stop to Carezza, a resort known for its mesmerizing views of the Dolomites and the iconic Catinaccio-Rosengarten mountain range, making this the perfect choice for those in search of some of Europe’s best wintery landscapes.

    The well-groomed slopes come in a wide array of difficulty levels, some of which are challenging enough even for the most experienced.

    carezza ski resort, Italy

    Whether you’re a professional skier or someone seeing snow for the first time in your life, one thing’s for sure – you’re guaranteed to come out of Carezza with notably improved skills.

    Beyond the slopes, Carezza sets itself apart from other ski destinations of its kind through its fascinating culture. 

    lake Carezza, Italy

    The Ladin traditions, visible in the local architecture and cuisine, are something that can’t be replicated anywhere else on Earth, while Carezza’s proximity to other renowned ski areas in the Dolomiti Superski allows visitors to explore a vast, interconnected winter paradise.

    3. Les 3 Vallées, France

    The largest ski area in the world was ranked third in InsureMyTrip’s list, boasting eight interconnected resorts, an unparalleled expanse of snowy landscapes, and endless learning opportunities for skiers regardless of their age or experience level.

    In fact, Les 3 Vallées has a near-perfect 50/50 split between easy runs (greens and blues) and more challenging slopes (reds and blacks).

    Amazing winter landscape and ski resort with typical alpine wooden houses in French Alps, Les Menuires, 3 Vallees, France, Europe

    Though the sheer size of the place might seem intimidating, the extensive lift system and well-maintained infrastructure make navigating the entire area a breeze, not to mention time-efficient.

    After a long day practicing on the slopes, you can wind down in one of the charming nearby villages, where you can even try out a few Michelin-starred restaurants.

    2. Kiroro, Japan

    Those trying to look past the typical European ski resorts this winter will love Kiroro, famous for its gorgeous and, more importantly, consistently snowy 300-mile-long (483 km) slopes.

    Club Med Kiroro, Japan

    The snow conditions here are something avid skiers only dream about, characterized by frequent, light, fluffy powder that’ll make your holiday pictures seem like something right out of a magazine.

    If all that wasn’t enough to convince you to book your tickets to Japan now, Kiroro is one of the cheapest resorts that emerged out of the InsureMyTrip study, with daily passes costing a mere $43 – talk about value!

    1. Les Portes du Soleil, France

    Taking the coveted top spot on today’s list is the stunning Les Portes du Soleil, a sprawling ski area straddling the French-Swiss border. 

    There’s really nothing not to love about this place.

    view of les portes du soleil, France

    Renowned for its expansive terrain, charming alpine villages, and unparalleled views of Mont Blanc, Les Portes du Soleil offers what can only be described as the quintessential alpine experience.

    The area’s vast interconnected ski network spans 12 resorts, including Avoriaz, Morzine, and Champery, just to name a few. 

    The cost of a daily pass here is admittedly a bit higher, standing at $72; however, considering the location and the quality of the amenities you’ll get in return, that’ll be money well spent.

    Read More:

    Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

    How To Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

    ↓ Join Our Community ↓

    The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily! 

    Travel-off-Path-group-1-1
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

    Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

    This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

    [ad_2]

    Source link