FEATURE
ULTIMATE SKI
DECEMBER-JANUARY 2012/13
WIZZ MAGAZINE
57
THE ULTIMATE RESORT
Fly to: Geneva
Set between the jagged
peaks of the Aiguilles Rouges
and Mont Blanc, the historic
town of
Chamonix
is the
epitome of mountain life and a
must-visit place for any snow
enthusiast. While the Mont
Blanc ski area may range
from the family-friendly Les
Houches to the backcountry
heaven of Argentière, any
skier or snowboarder worth
their salt will want to take on
the legendary Vallée Blanche
glacier. A guide is essential for
this 20km long and 2,700m
vertical descent off-piste ski
run that, unusually for one
of this quality, is accessible
by ski lift. It starts from the
formidable Aiguille du Midi
peak, and may require a
half-way food stop at the
Requin hut. It’s worth it for the
bragging rights alone.
chamonix.com
YES, YOU CAN AFFORD
TO GO SKIING!
Fly to: Sofia
Located in the Rila mountains
and just 70km from Sofia,
Borovets
is perfect for those
who want fun on a budget.
The town’s three ski areas
of Makudjik, Sitnyakovo and
Yastrebetz offer 60km of
not-too-steep pistes to keep
beginners and intermediates
happy – including seriously
leg-burning 12km trail from
the lofty 2,925m Musala peak.
A three- or six-day ski pass is
the better deal. The best time
to visit is between January and
March, but recent investment
in snowmaking means it’s
snow-sure all season long.
Those looking to let their hair
down have come to the right
place too. Check out Bonkers
(
+359 88 886 09453) for classic
party tunes, oversize beers and
unmeasured shots.
borovets-bg.com
WHEN YOU NEED
SNOW OUT OF SEASON
Fly to: Memmingen
High in the Bavarian Alps and
host to one of the earliest
Winter Olympic games,
Garmisch Partenkirchen
has
a rich snow sports pedigree
with 60km of pistes based over
two distinct areas. The larger
Garmisch-Classic area has
all-ability, tree-lined descents
and downhill charging on
the famous Kandahar slope,
where winter sports began
here 80 years ago. The smaller
Zugspitze ski area offers a
long November to May season
thanks to the Schneeferner
glacier, plus a terrain park and
igloo village. As it’s Bavaria,
it’s near compulsory to indulge
in some sausage, meats and
weissbeer. Try the Gipfelalm
restaurant, an expansive alpine
hut with terrific views, at the
Zugspitze’s 2,962m summit.
zugspitze.de
“
Top skiers or
snowboarders
will want to
tackle the
Vallée Blanche
off-piste run”
