When it comes to enjoying their favorite sport, skiers and golfers have a lot in common. Everyone loves going to that place that feels a little special to them, but also makes them feel comfortable. However, with skiers, when looking for a place to ski if you live in the United States, it can seem too expensive to ski in Europe. Obviously there will be some extra cost with the trip, but once you get there the costs won’t be much higher in Europe. In addition, there are about five times as many ski resorts in Europe, some 4,000, as there are in North America.
There will be quite a few differences, such as in the texture of the snow. In Europe the snow will be more like that found in New England; not as light and fluffy as what you’ll find in western North America. More ski slopes will usually be longer. The ski areas there will cooperate and interconnect their runs, sharing a complex of ski runs between up to half a dozen resorts in one case.
In Europe, the companies surrounding the ski areas that deal with rentals, restaurants, and hotels are often family-owned establishments that have been around for many years, sometimes generations. These family restaurants will serve local food and cook with traditional recipes. Only if you go to the big hotels will you see the style of restaurants that Americans have become familiar with.
Ski slopes in the Alps are often much longer than in North America. Almost all of the 50 longest ski runs in the world are in the Alps. One in France runs 15 miles with a vertical drop of 9,200 feet. There has been quite a bit of investment in ski lifts in Europe in recent years and as a result you will find that many of the ski lifts are much more comfortable and faster.
When most of us think of skiing in Europe, we naturally think of the Alps. But you can find great skiing, and often at bargain prices, elsewhere in Europe. For example, Andorra, located between Spain and France, has a very nice resort. Bulgaria is quickly gaining a reputation as a place with great snow and bargain prices. And even Scotland, not far north of Edinburgh, has skiing, although not to the extent that it would make up a full ski trip. But it’s always fun to go to Edinburgh, so a diversion with some skiing might be something to consider.
If you watch the Winter Olympics, you will see that alpine skiing is a big part of European heritage, as the Alpine countries always compete well. For the skier who not only wants excellent skiing, but also a romantic getaway, Europe is a great place to go.
