Skiing 101

Slip Sliding Away – 2011 Ski Holidays   by Osborne

jJust a couple of years ago it was fashionable, now the once flying Ski Vacations industry has had to retreat from the days when a winter holiday was in vogue for families looking for some fun in addition to their normal summer trips.

Just three years ago all seemed to be going well, with increasing numbers of people taking to the slopes, but the recession sparked by the banking meltdown put all that into reverse, and Ski Holiday travel companies have had to cut back on what they were able to offer over the last two years.

Will 2011 see a pick up in their fortunes?

A lot will depend on the economy, and how confident people are about being able to afford a winter break. With cutbacks on public expenditure, those whose jobs are in the public sector might be nervous about spending money while their jobs are uncertain.

Elsewhere though it might be a different story. Bonuses are back for bankers, and it was the banking and finance sectors that helped fuel the increase in skiers opting for in fashion but quite expensive Swiss ski holidays for example.

Like elsewhere another popular destination Andorra has seen a drop in visitors over the last couple of years, but hopes are high locally that 2011 will see a revival in fortunes. Andorra used to be a cheap ski holiday destination, but after spending millions on improved facilities it competes with France for those considering the Pyrenees.

And Andorra is able to compete with the best of the French resorts when it comes to accommodation for a 2011 ski holiday. Soldeu, the best known of Andorra’s resorts, has a good choice of hotels, including 5 star and others with spa facilities, very close to the slopes.

As well as Soldeu, other resorts include next door El Tarter. Higher up is Pas del Casa, and below both these but with great snow is Arinsal. Pas de la Casa and Arinsal have an active nightlife, while Soldeu is more for those who enjoy good restaurants after a day on the pistes than clubbing. For seeing more of the country including the capital la Vella where there are plenty of department stores with duty free shopping, Arinsal has the edge over Pas de la Casa for convenience, as it’s a quarter of an hour away and served by a good bus route.

But it’s France that attracts half of all British people taking a ski holiday, and it is here that will determine whether 2011 sees a pick up in the industry’s fortunes. Popular areas for a French ski holiday include Chamonix, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Meribel and Val d’Isere.

The accessibility of France from the UK is one of the primary drivers for attracting half of the skiers – plenty of airlines have cheap flights, Eurotunnel run special trains to the resorts during the season from London, while ferry companies such as Brittany Ferries offer excellent rates for those who want to take their own car (and often ski equipment) and drive through France – the British skier is spoiled for choice when it comes to getting to the resorts.

Other areas that see British skiers apart from France and Andorra in numbers include Bulgaria, Italy, France, Switzerland and ski holidays Austria in Europe, while further afield Lake Louise and Whistler are popular in Canada, and in the U.S. Aspen in Colorado along with Breckenridge and Vail are the most popular.

All will be hoping that 2011 sees the return of people taking a winter ski vacation.

About the Author

As well as the European ski resorts yourandorra.com has travel and accommodation resources for ski holidays Canada

For business people wanting a tax haven they provide a guide along with real estate agents who have inmobiliarias Andorra
Skiing in PA – Snowboarding & Snow Tubing – Shawnee Mountain

Steep $5.99 Thrilling and spectacular, Steep is a mesmerizing documentary in the Warren Miller mold about extreme skiing, but with more emphasis on the drive and psychology of the adrenaline-hooked athletes involved. A number of skiers are captured in archival and original footage braving the odds against surviving runs down astonishingly steep, dangerous slopes. Among the subjects is Bill Briggs, who climbed…

Motorola 53727 Earbud with Push-to-Talk Mic $8.23 This compact and comfortable earbud conveniently fits in either ear with a microphone that clips to collar or sleeve. Unit delivers great sound – even in noisy places. Tiny push-to-talk microphone conveniently clips to collar, button makes it easy to talk without removing radio from belt. Compatible with all single pin TalkAbout Series Radios as well as Spirit GT and Spirit GT+ Series Radios….

Lucky Bums Ski Trainer Market leading harness leash system combines the safety usefulness of our signature integrated handle with 2 detachable learn-to-turn ski leashes small stow pack….

Fresh Powder (A Winter Romance) $4.15 ‘The short, snappy dialogue moves along at speed, keeping the storyline twisting and turning nicely. This ‘Sex Lite’ skiing romp is no Jackie Collins, more of an Agatha Christie-meets-Mills&Boon on a James Bond set.’ – Irish Independent.The story; Lucy and Claire were once best friends but after a row, they haven’t spoken in ten years. Imagine their shock when they are thrown together, not only in…

Skiing on Top of the World with Stepdad – Erotic Short Story DESCRIPTION: This is a story about a girl who takes a ski trip with her stepdad. When they take the lift to the top of the mountain there is a special surprise for her and it turns out she wants it even more than he did. She finds herself on top of him and realizes that she wants to be on top in everything she does in life after her long skiing weekend. EXERPT: Finally we couldn’t wait any longe…

Just Perfect (Perfect Trilogy) $4.99 Originally published by Signet Eclipse, the Perfect Trilogy:Maddy, Christine and Amy are thrilled that their old college suite-mate has written a bestselling book, How to Have the Perfect Life—until they realize she used them as examples of how women let fear screw up their lives. The worst part is…it’s sort of true. Together they make a pact: they each have one year to face down their fears…