Versión en Español
From Whistler to St. Moritz: The slopes skiers yearn for
Sharing the ski lift with kings or sliding down slopes with 20 meters of snow. In the era of mass tourism, there are still ski resorts reserved to those who have more money, interest…or courage.
Best of the Alps brings together the 12 most exclusive ski resorts in Europe. 4 Swiss, 4 Austrian, 2 French, 1 German and 1 Italian. On the lead, Swiss St. Moritz, taken over during the last few years by Russian millionaires and increasingly more wonderfully decadent.
St. Moritz hosts since 1985 the Cartier World Cup of Polo on Snow. In its streets we can find Dior, Chanel, Hermès, Bulgari and Versace shops. All purchases will be directly delivered to your room at any of the luxurious hotels. In the highest part of the city, the Chesa Futura, built by Norman Foster in 2003, is home to 10 exclusive apartments.
The Austrian Zurs can also boast of being bathed by glamour,as well as by the waters of lake Lech. The chalets, lost in the middle of the mountains are prestigious restaurants and really expensive hotels. They take much care to make sure everything is perfect and they do not allow queues, the low amount of visitors also helps to this.
Churchill and Roosevelt, among others, were usual customers in Zermatt (Switzerland), an ideal spot where one can only move with electrical cars or horses in the town centre. You can spend the night in a hotel-igloo made of ice and take a swim at the outdoor hot pool.
To see and be seen
Courchevel represents French excellence in Alpine sports, with accommodation by the slopes and its very exclusive nightclubs. In Italy there is a rivalry between Cortina d'Ampezzo and Madonna de Campiglio, both in the Dolomites. The former is criticised for its isolation, something that saves it from the crowds. We can forgive that because of its charming cute cafes and restaurants, hidden in the streets of this pleasant village.
Gstaad (Switzerland) is not part of the Best of the Alps, but it is the favourite among famous people: Grace Kelly, Roger Moore, George Soros, Jack Nicholson... Polanski is awaiting in his chalet there the verdict of the courts regarding his extradition to the US. Its fellow compatriot Verbier has not been admitted either among the big 12, but the possibility of practicing extreme ski also brings highly-technical skiers.
Skiing in North America
In the best north American ski resorts they lack the Central European charm, but the compensate this by thinking big. The venue of the Olympic Winter Games in 2010, Canada’s Whistler, has the largest ski area in the planet, with 18 restaurants at the summit awaiting those who do not want to ‘go down’ during the day.
Without leaving the country, Lake Louise pleases its visitors with a natural luxurious landscape: the Banff Natural Park. Skiers go past moose, wolfs, and some grizzly bears.
Did you like From Whistler to St. Moritz: The slopes skiers yearn for?
Compártelo en
Published in Sports and Leisure Time by Ángela Cebrián on 08/03/2010
This article has been read 1332 .
