Ski Safari goes large for 2013-14 with 14 new resorts
Ski Safari welcomes the 2013-14 season with numerous exciting additions to its winter programme. With a strong team of dedicated skiers and snowboarders behind the scenes, the selection of new countries, resorts and safaris have been carefully planned to match the desires of those looking for a skiing holiday. As an accomplished North American specialist, Ski Safari is expanding closer to home by adding Austria and Italy to their existing European portfolio. Scandinavia was new last season and following its success the family resort of Tyrsil in Norway has been introduced. In keeping with the spirit of Ski Safari, the Red and Whitewater safari and the all-American ‘Classic Colorado’ safari are new additions for 2013-14.
ON THE UPWARD SLOPE – Eight resorts in Austria
As the second most popular destination for British skiers and snowboarders, Austria was an obvious choice. Ski Safari has introduced a total of 8 new resorts, from world-famous names such as St Anton and Kitzbühel to long-time British favourites like Obergurgl, Saalbach-Hinterglemm and Zell am See, to lesser known resorts like Galtür and Sölden and even city skiing from Tirol’s capital, Innsbruck. Increased accessibility to Austria with daily flights from airlines, including easyJet, British Airways, Monarch and Jet2, has allowed the desire for shorter breaks and greater flexibility to grow. Austria’s strength shines through as an affordable destination with reasonable in-resort and on-mountain prices and where the locals extend a genuine welcome towards their guests. Resorts radiate an authentic mountain atmosphere stemming back from their rural heritage, setting Austria apart from many purpose built resorts.
THE ITALIAN JOB – Three new resorts in Italy
The Italian resorts of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Madonna di Campiglio and Santa Cristina have been carefully chosen for the Ski Safari programme on the merits of offering great skiing matched with great style, high-end accommodation, reliable snow records, amazing scenery and great food. Located in western Trentino, Madonna di Campiglio is one of Italy’s most sought after ski resorts, offering an exceptional combination of interesting skiing and chic mountain atmosphere. The traditional resort of Santa Cristina in the Val Gardena valley, offers direct access to the famous Sella Ronda ski circuit and into the heart of the Dolomiti Superski, with over 1000km covered on one ski pass. Whilst chic Cortina d’Ampezzo, with its impressive scenery, elegant boutiques and fine dining, is also rewarded with serene pistes as the native Italians spend more time in the cafes than on the piste!
FJORD FOCUS – Trysil for families
Following a successful first year in Norway last season, Ski Safari has expanded this year by adding the new family-friendly resort of Trysil. Leveraging kudos from being ‘Norway’s Best Alpine Resort for Families’, amidst a country known for its family resorts, Trysil is all you could want and more from the family skiing experience. Located two hours north of Oslo, the majority of the accommodation options present ski-in ski-out convenience and the ski school is right on the doorstep, taking children from 3 years old. There are three sides of the mountain with effortless blues and flattering reds on wide open slopes, which are perfect for beginners and intermediates, who prefer taking it easy. With a long season from November through to late April, Trysil benefits from assured snow conditions and even promises a unique snow promise guarantee.
ON A SWISS ROLL – Lenzerheide and Arosa connect
Ski Safari introduced Lenzerheide to its programme last year ahead of the big news planned for this forthcoming 2013-14 season. Following years of consultation, the resorts of Lenzerheide and Arosa in the Graubunden region will be joined together by a newly installed 6-seater chair lift from the Mottahut on the Lenzerheide side bringing guests up to the cable car station. The cable car will then cover the 2km distance between the two resorts from Urdenfuerggli in Lenzerheide to Hoernli in Arosa. Already established ski resorts in their own right, the existing 70km of pistes in Arosa will be joined with the 155km of pistes in Lenzerheide, giving an overall new combined skiing area of 225km. Due to open on 14th December 2014, the new project will give skiers and boarders, familiar with either side of the mountain, a whole new alpine experience. Only an hour and a half from Zurich airport, Lenzerheide is perfect for a short break and offers some extensive off-piste and more challenging skiing. Arosa, on the other hand, is a more suitable base for beginners, intermediates and families too.
RIDE THE POWDER HIGHWAY – New all-American Safari
This new all-American ‘Classic Colorado’ safari is the ultimate road trip adventure, bringing together three of America’s most iconic ski towns, Crested Butte, Telluride and Aspen. A hearty welcome from the locals in Crested Butte goes a long way and sets the scene for a journey back in time through the old Wild West. With flawlessly groomed pistes, Crested Butte is a sound all-round resort with a genuine local’s mountain vibe. Moving on to Telluride, which perfectly balances its former mining town heritage with everything you need from a ski resort, with incredible terrain, super light powder, stunning scenery and superb après ski. All superlatives combine together to create a superpower that few resorts can match for the last destination on the safari, Aspen. This world-famous resort is a world heritage site, offering some of America’s most luxurious accommodation in Aspen town.
THE SECRET’S OUT – Red and Whitewater Safari
Advanced skiers seeking out the ultimate powder experience need look no further than the less well-known Canadian resorts of Red Mountain and Whitewater. Set deep within British Columbia’s Kootenay Rockies, Ski Safari has introduced this new safari, because it offers some of the most compelling steep slopes, deep powder and diverse terrain in the world. In June this year, Red Mountain was granted permission to add a further 997 acres on Grey Mountain, increasing the total lift serviced area to 2,787 acres, which will be ready for 2013/14. Whitewater is up there with the best for its immense snowfall and exceptional terrain with around 88% of the 1200 acres billed advanced terrain. The only blott on the white landscape is that, in reality, Red and Whitewater may not be the most straightforward to reach logistically but the extra effort is worth every inch of powder!
