Wanting to hit the slopes for some snow sport action? Whether skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing or just enjoy the snow, Travel Smart has you covered with our guide to the best snow spots in Europe and around the world.Travel editors Ben Parker and Annabel Grossman show you the best places to visit in Europe and further afield for skiers of all abilities, family fun or for those adrenaline junkies looking to mix the thrill of the mountain slope with the thrill of a good party. Follow Travel Smart to make the most of your holiday with Independent TV.
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00:00Welcome to TravelSmart, the insider's travel guide from Independent TV.
00:04This is a series where we share our takes on the best destinations to visit from around the globe.
00:09With the ski season rapidly approaching, we're looking at the best places to plan a trip to the mountains.
00:16The right resort for you will depend on a variety of factors,
00:20including when you plan to ski, your level of skiing,
00:23and whether you're a solo skier, booking a family trip,
00:26a romantic getaway, or a holiday with a group of friends.
00:37The obvious choice when travelling from the UK is the Alps,
00:41and Europe has a wide range of resorts all within easy reach.
00:45There are lots of ski companies that offer package holidays,
00:48which is often the easiest and most cost-efficient way to travel.
00:52As well as your flights and accommodation,
00:54you can have your ski pass, ski hire, and meals included,
00:57which takes the stress out of planning.
01:02There are plenty of family-friendly resorts where you'll find
01:06excellent ski schools for children, kids' clubs,
01:09and plenty of activities to keep non-skiers and little ones occupied,
01:14like dog sledding, tobogganing, ice skating, and snow tubing.
01:20Families love Meribel and Les Manoirs in France's Three Valleys,
01:25and we would also recommend La Rosière,
01:28which has a great ski area of 152km of linked slopes with La Tuile in Italy.
01:35Val Gardena in the Dolomites has some challenging piste for experienced skiers,
01:40along with excellent restaurants and family-run hotels.
01:44This makes it a great choice for families with mixed abilities and interests.
01:50Also in the Three Valleys is Val Thoren, a high resort with a long season.
01:55It's known as a bit of a party town, with a ton of great options for apres.
01:59And if it's fun when the skis come off your after, here are some brilliant choices.
02:06In St. Anton and Meierhofen in Austria,
02:09you'll be spoilt for choice for bars with DJs and live music,
02:12both on the mountain and in town.
02:15For a high-end ski trip with fine dining and designer shopping,
02:18head to the gorgeous town of Courchevel.
02:21Chamonix is also a fun town with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops,
02:25so you'll be all set for apres.
02:27It's also a top choice for more adventurous skiers who want to go off-piste.
02:31There's no shortage of guides who know the area,
02:33and will be able to help you make the most of off-piste skiing.
02:37It also has miles of backcountry that's perfect for ski touring
02:41and testing your skills in a variety of terrains.
02:44Also in France, Megev is luxe but more low-key,
02:47while over in Austria, San Maritz effortlessly blends snow sports with glamour,
02:52while Lech has a luxe feel with prices that aren't quite so eye-wateringly high.
02:58Speaking of less expensive resorts,
03:00an increasing number of skiers are finding new places
03:03that offer more affordable holidays.
03:09The resorts of Bansko and Borovac in Bulgaria
03:13provide great snow at reasonable prices.
03:16Turkey is also starting to make a name for itself as a ski destination,
03:20thanks to its high mountains and wallet-friendly prices.
03:24Whilst in the Alps, Andorra remains a popular choice for affordable skiing.
03:30While Europe's mountains are of course some of the most popular destinations for a ski holiday,
03:35here's our pick of some of the best in other parts of the world.
03:41Banff in Alberta and Whistler in British Columbia
03:45offer skiing for all levels in Canada,
03:47and they're both great towns for a holiday.
03:50The east coast of the United States offers some opportunities for snow sports,
03:54but if you're going to cross the Atlantic, you might as well head for the Rockies.
03:57Try Aspen, Vail and Brecon Ridge in Colorado,
04:01Park City in Utah or Jackson Hole in Wyoming.
04:05Japan is also surging in popularity as a snow sports destination,
04:09with many suggesting that it has the best powder in the world.
04:13Why not try Chile, where you can discover the wonders of the Andes,
04:16or head to India to explore the backcountry of Gulmarg in Kashmir.
04:22That's it for our ski holidays episode.
04:24Be sure to check in to our next TravelSmart Weekly,
04:27which you can watch onsite on the Independence mobile app or on your smart TV.
04:32And for all the latest travel news, reviews and advice,
04:35be sure to check out independent.co.uk forward slash travel
04:39and listen to Simon Calder's daily podcast.
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