Vacation Reviews-Travel Destinations-Travel Guides

Ischgl is a small village in the Paznaun Valley in Tyrol (western part of Austria). Its ski resort Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun is connected with the ski resort of Samnaun across the border in Switzerland. Together this ski area belongs to the largest skiing resorts in the Alps. Ischgl is an ideal resort for family skiing, although there is also a massive amount of off-piste.

Big ski area. Small town. Surprisingly small considering that Ischgl, after a late start as a significant ski area (its first cable-car was only constructed in 1963, bringing prosperity to a struggling community) is now as popular with the Austrians as St Anton and Kitzbühel. The reason it has not sprawled farther along the Paznaun valley is simple: the avalanche danger is too great. The result is that Ischgl, in spite of its growing international reputation, remains unspoiled. Find Hotel in Ischgl

The ski area, 125 miles of pistes served by 40 lifts, links with the duty-free village of Samnaum in Switzerland, and there is a long history of smuggling celebrated brazenly today with the “Smugglers Cup” event in which participants are handed a “secret” package to smuggle past customs officials. The slopes, set in strikingly attractive scenery, are in the so-called “Silvretta Hole”, which normally guarantees good snow. The skiing area - mainly long, swooping, wellgroomed motorway runs provides superb intermediate terrain but also plenty for beginners and experts. Unfortunately all this can be marred by serious queuing at peak times. Hemmgway was a regular visitor in the mid-1920s.

Even with its reputation for après-ski and a formidable list of nightclubs, Ischgl has wider appeal as a high-quality resort to suit all-comers. The family-friendly slopes are perfect for the majority of skiers, while the grooming and snow-making are in a league of their own. Full lift and piste integration with neighbouring Samnaun over the border in Switzerland make the skiing truly extensive, and after a big fall of fresh snow, there’s off piste skiing in every direction. Only tough on-piste challenges are missing.

Alaska, which has always been a source of awe and mystery, has some of the best ski area and ski resorts in the world, and the Alyeska Resort is one of the finest  ski resorts in the state. With a top elevation of 2751 feet and a 2501 vertical drop, the area gets an average of 631 inches of snow annually, make it one of the best place for ski vacation.

Although this is some of the best skiing in the world, you won’t find the slopes overly crowded, and there are no long lift lines. There are nine lifts, including six chair lifts and two surface lifts, and one cable car line. There are 68 trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Night time skiing is allowed, which makes your ski experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will see snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and of course, the famous Northern Lights. This ski resort is ranked number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski trips by Skiing Magazine.

The season begins in mid November, and runs through mid April. This area of Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the United States, with approximately sixteen hours of daylight each day during April. During December, however, there are only about seven hours of daylight – which makes night time skiing necessary if you are going to get in the time that you want to spend on the slopes.

If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park. The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear
viewing.

Kitzbuhel is the most famous ski resort in Austria, an elegant medieval city which is located along The Kitzbuhel River in Tyrol State of Austria. With amazing snow-covered scenery, the ski in Kitzbuhel were first introduced in 1892. But this sport rapidly gained popularity, and two years later a large consignment of skis arrived from Norway, paving the slopes for Kitzbuhel’s first skiing championship.

The actual village of Kitzbuhel dates back to the 13th century. Its charm is accented by painted medieval houses, colorful sidewalk cafes, and stylish shops. Festive flags and buntings adorn the streets and buildings of this little Austrian town, which plays host to international athletes, ski fans, and the rich and famous from all over the world.

There is an extensive and varied skiing area offering excellent skiing and snowboarding, both on and off-piste, but be prepared for a lack of snow in places. Due to Kitzbuhel’s low altitude, the lower slopes are rarely open. If the skiing doesn’t tire you out while on holiday in Kitzbuhel, the nightlife certainly will. The atmosphere is bright, boisterous and fun and doesn’t stop till the not-quite-so-early hours. Kitzbuhel is also Austria’s winter entertainment capital and attracts performers from all over the continent throughout the holiday season.

If possible arrive in Kitzbuhel before nightfall, when the wrought-iron entrance way lamps and flickering candles in the restaurant windows lend a special charm to the streets. You’ll hear the jingle of bells on a horse-drawn sleigh, and in the distance someone in a gasthaus will let out a hearty laugh that rises above the sound of a piano or zither. The exterior of Kitzbuhel is old, lovely and quite romantic. The interior is modern and efficient.

Even non-skiers can find plenty to do on holiday in Kitzbuhel, like ballooning, curling, hang-gliding, skating, hikes, snowmobiling or even just playing billiards. in Kitzbuhel there is gambling at the casino, art galleries to browse, concerts to attend, movies and an alpine zoo. Highlights of the winter holiday season are the Christmas Market and New Year’s Eve party.

Kitzbuhel is also well known as a spa center and is full of health farms, while the public baths in town offer a multitude of amenities including sauna, steam bath, swimming and massage. The picturesque, historic town itself offers plenty to see while on holiday, with its medieval houses, stylish shops and beautiful old churches. Visitors can also take short excursions to the museums in the area, which include the Cable Car Museum at the Hahnenkamm Mountain Station, the Farmhouse Museum and Mining Museum.

Situated 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Innsbruck and 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Munich,  the beautiful Alpine town of Kitzbuhel is easy to get to by car, bus, and train, and if you stay in a hotel in town, an automobile isn’t really necessary since there are free buses and most things are centrally located. There is a full range of accommodations, from four-star hotels and swank ski lodges to inexpensive pensions and charming rustic inns. Finding a hotel in ski city of Kitzbuhel is not hard, there are dozen of hotels with good service and management.