Taste
Five hidden gems of winter sports areas
Gliding down fresh snow on the slopes and finishing with a good après-ski session: winter sports season is in full swing again. These five winter sports destinations offer something a little different.
Sliding down the slopes on a fresh layer of snow and finishing with a good après-ski session: the winter sports season is in full swing again. Still planning a last-minute winter trip, but the destination is still unknown? We are now familiar with the slopes of the French Alps, the Swiss Lech and Austrian Ischgl, but these five winter sports destinations are just that little bit different.
1. Rocky Mountains, Canada
A natural paradise in the summer, which transforms into a winter sports paradise in the winter. Canada's Banff National Park, a huge area with high mountain peaks, is home to three prominent ski areas: Ski Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. Spend the night at its best in the prestigious Fairmont Banff Springs and the stylish Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. In addition to slaloming down the slopes, you can also undertake other activities, such as a snowshoe walk, snowmobile or dog sled ride and sliding down the slopes on a tire.
Winter sports adventure in Rocky Mountains
2. Saratoga, America
In the far south of the state of Wyoming, pure and untouched plains are subtly alternated with mighty mountain peaks. Hidden in the rolling hills one comes across the Brush Creek Ranch. This undiscovered area is not (yet) on the radar of many winter sports enthusiasts, but anyone who spends a week in this fairytale winter landscape will agree that the term 'upcoming' is still an understatement. The 600 hectares of private land, remote and undiscovered area, countless excursion options and sublime wellness facilities make this destination worth a winter stay.
Winter sports with a touch of magic
3. Niseko, Japan
Japan is not something you would immediately associate with winter sports, but a winter visit to the fabulous Niseko will definitely change that. With no fewer than six ski areas, modern ski lifts and prestigious resorts, including The Vale Niseko, Niseko is definitely one of the gems of winter sports destinations. The town borders an enormous mountain range and is located in the western part of Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's four major islands. From December to May, more than seventeen metres of powder snow falls here, which is crowned the world's driest and lightest snow. The spoiled winter sports enthusiast will not be disappointed here...
4. Lapland
We haven't been able to call Lapland a 'hidden gem' for a while now, but if Winter Wonderland takes shape somewhere, it is in Lapland. And no, boarding or skiing all day on the slopes is not an option here, but there are countless other winter activities waiting for your arrival. Irresistible reasons to leave the skis in the attic for a year and venture into the magical landscapes of Lapland are, for example, taking a husky sled ride, snowmobile ride, taking a look at the Northern Lights, visiting a spa in the middle of the snow and spending a night at the legendary Ice Hotel.
5. Spitsbergen & Antarctica
Not a winter sports fanatic, but a lover of cold and adventure? Then consider a visit to the North or South Pole. During an expedition cruise in Spitsbergen you will look for the large numbers of polar bears and in Antarctica you will spot many different species of penguins. The unpredictable nature makes such excursions a real treat, because at any time of the day there is a chance to spot special animals or experience unique natural phenomena, such as the northern lights or the midnight sun.
On an excursion to Spitsbergen & Antarctica
This article was produced in collaboration with ExperienceTravel.
