Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Downhill all the way

The shorts have scarcely been put back in the cupboard, and already thoughts are turning to the new ski season. Which leads to the first conundrum of the winter – where to go? Chris Moran has selected five of Europe’s best and most varied resorts, from death-defying slopes to relaxing spas and shopping havens. All you need to decide is which one’s for you…

Vallnord, Andorra

BEST FOR… SKI AND SPA

Town ‘Town’ is something of a misnomer when it comes to Vallnord. It’s actually the name given to four towns that have come together to form one ski area: Arcalis (a tiny hamlet with its own lift system), La Massana (a valley town that’s connected to the wider system by gondola), Arinsal and Pal. Arinsal is probably the pick of the bunch, with some good hotels and a vibrant, predominantly British and Scandinavian, clientele.

Mountain Vallnord is best viewed as two separate ski areas. Arinsal and Pal have been linked since 2000, while Arcalis is about 40 minutes away by bus. Don’t be dissuaded from the trip, however – this is the best location for expert skiers and snowboarders, who love challenging themselves on Andorra’s steepest slopes. Arinsal-Pal’s mellow, tree-lined slopes, meanwhile, are best for beginners and intermediates.

Must do Visit the veritable water wonderland that is Caldea Spa in Andorra la Vella. Once they’ve experienced the sheer number of spas, whirlpools, steam rooms, hammams and pools on offer, your pores may never close again.

Stay Andorra is as cheap as European skiing gets, so push the boat out with a stay at Arinsal’s four-star Hotel Princesa Parc (www.hotelprincesaparc.com).

More info www.andorra.com

Méribel, France

BEST FOR… APRÈS SKI

Town Winter Ibiza or sedate Alpine enclave? Intermediate heaven, or the gateway to some of the Three Valleys more challenging terrain? When it comes to Méribel, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Everyone should be able to find something to keep them happy here, from teenage seasonaires looking to party all night to an older clientele content to clock up the miles on the slopes each day and enjoy a comforting vin chaud once the lifts close.

Mountain Méribel is part of the immense Trois Vallées area; 600km and 183 lifts mean you’re unlikely to get bored, and also make a mockery of the received wisdom that Méribel is too tame for expert skiers. Beginners should head to the Altiport, or one of Méribel’s secluded ‘Zen zones’. Intermediates can make the day trip to Val Thorens and back, while experts should shoot off to La Masse in Les Menuires for fantastic powder slopes.

Must do Forget the played-out Rond Point Bar and head to Evolution (www.evolutionmeribel.com) for a classier evening’s après. Or if you’re looking for family-friendly fun, the famous Savoy Trophy dogsled race takes place around the mixed-terrain trails of the protected forest surrounding the Altiport in mid January, with hundreds of mushers and huskies from all over Europe competing in sprint and long-distance events.

Stay Accessible by snowmobile only, the Hotel Meribel Adray Telebar (www.telebar-hotel.com) is set to redefine ‘ski in/ski out’ accommodation. Three lodges (with two rooms in each) and a spa will make this the ultimate in on-slope luxury.

More info www.meribel.net

Chamonix, France

BEST FOR… OFF-PISTE SKIING

Town When Mary Shelley, Joe Simpson and Charlotte Church can be numbered among a town’s alumni, you know you’re dealing with no ordinary ski resort. Such is the legendary pull of Chamonix, still the world’s most famous adventure destination more than two hundred years after tourists began arriving in the valley. The reason? ‘Cham’ is unique among ski resorts. It offers a blend of cosmopolitan town, endlessly imposing Alpine history and a laissez-faire approach to on-mountain responsibility that practically begs extreme sports daredevils to fling themselves off the picturesque mountains that loom over the town.

Mountain ‘Chamonix’ actually refers to the town. The ‘resort’ bit refers to six separate ski areas: Les Houches, Aiguille du Midi (strictly experts only), Brévent, Flégère, Grands Montets and Le Tour. Le Tour and Les Houches are best for beginners, while Grands Montets and Brévent have perfect slopes for confident intermediates.

Must do Even if you don’t try to ski the challenging slopes once you’re up there, a trip on the 3,842-metre Aiguille du Midi cable car is not to be missed. The views of Mont Blanc are superb, and the engineering feat of the 1950s cable-car builders is simply staggering.

Stay The Hotel Eden (www.hoteleden-chamonix.com), within walking distance of the Flégère ski area, is a tiny gem – and its restaurant is the best in town.

More info www.chamonix.com

Oslo, Norway

BEST FOR… CITY SKI

Town Spend a little time in Oslo during the season and it soon becomes clear that winter sports are part of the city’s DNA. Gleaming cross-country skiing trails snake through parks (packed with locals skiing to work), while the monumental Holmenkollen ski jump dominates the skyline. Even better for visiting Alpine skiers, the city has two small but perfectly formed ski resorts close at hand. This makes Oslo the perfect base for a different kind of holiday, which mixes sightseeing and skiing to perfect effect.

Mountain The local cognescenti – including legendary snowboarder Terje Håkonsen – regard Tryvann Winter Park (www.tryvann.no), 20 minutes’ drive away from the city centre, as the pick of the local ski hills. The 2012 Snowboard World Cup will be held here, which gives you some idea of its pedigree. The other resort, Varingskollen (www.varingskollen.no), is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre and has one of Norway’s best snowboarding fun parks.

Must do Pack duty-free booze! Alcohol in Norway is punitively expensive, so stock up before arrival if you’re going to do any socialising. Elsewhere, culture junkies will love the stunning new Oslo Opera House and the cool Vigeland sculptures in Frogner Park.

Stay The Scandic Edderkoppen (www.scandichotels.com) is centrally located, and has its own theatre and a fantastic restaurant.

More info www.visitoslo.com

Livigno, Italy

BEST FOR… GETTING AIR

Town Few resorts are as difficult to get to as Livigno. This Italian number sits at the head of the Valtellina Valley at an obscure end of the Italian Alps, and is really three villages (San Antonio, Santa Maria and San Rocco) strung out along the valley floor, rather than one centralised resort location. There’s skiing on both sides of the valley, free buses to make it easy to get around – and difficult-to-access slopes mean there’s some great empty pistes to cruise down.

Mountain While Livigno has some fine on-piste skiing, it’s renowned by freestylers for its fantastic facilities. Italy has undergone another renaissance in recent years, with its fun parks, and Livigno’s example is the ultimate contemporary Italian sculpture, capable of launching skiers and snowboarders into the air via its half pipe, fun boxes, rails and gap jumps. It’s perfect for everyone from beginners to world champions.

Must do Shop! Livigno was made exempt from duty back in the 1840s and, bizarrely, still is today, meaning savvy visitors can stock up on cheap booze, electrical goods and designer gear.

Stay Try the four-star Lac Salin Spa & Mountain Resort (www.lungolivigno.com), or the small family-run Hotel San Giovanni (www.stgiovanni.com).

More info www.livigno.eu

FR Le meilleur de la glisse

Démarrez la nouvelle saison de ski avec style. Suivez le guide Chris Moran dans les meilleures stations d’Europe

Vallnord, Andorre Recommandé pour… le ski et les spas. Ville: des quatre stations, Arinsal offre de bons hôtels et une clientèle vivante. Montagne: Arcalis est réservée aux skieurs experts et aux snowboarders ; les pentes plus douces d’Arinsal-Pal conviennent aux débutants et intermédiaires. A faire: le Spa Caldea à Andorre- la-Vieille. Séjour: l’Hôtel Princesa Parc (hotelprincesaparc.com). andorra.com Barcelone

Méribel, France Recommandé pour… l’après-ski. Ville: chacun y trouve son compte : les teenagers qui veulent sortir ou les skieurs plus âgés, autour d’un vin chaud. Montagne: au coeur de la zone des Trois Vallées. 600km et 183 lifts : vous avez peu de chances de vous ennuyer. A faire: allez jusqu’au bar Evolution (evolutionmeribel.com) pour un après-ski branché. Séjour: l’Hôtel Meribel Adray Telebar (telebar-hotel.com). meribel.net Lyon

Chamonix, France Recommandé pour… le hors piste. Ville: la plus célèbre destination de ski au monde est une ville cosmopolite avec une histoire alpine. Aussi un paradis des sports extrêmes. Montagne: Le Tour et Les Houches pour les débutants, Grands Montets et Brévent pour les skieurs confiants, de niveau moyen. A faire: le téléphérique jusqu’à l’Aiguille du Midi à 3.842 m d’altitude. Séjour: l’Hôtel Eden (hoteleden-chamonix.com). chamonix.com Genève

Oslo, Norvège Recommandé pour… le ski en ville. Ville: le monumental tremplin de saut à ski d’Holmenkollen domine le paysage. Montagne: le parc d’hiver Tryvann (tryvann.no), à 20 minutes de route du centre-ville, est un domaine idéal pour profiter localement du ski alpin. A faire: les fans de culture vont adorer l’époustouflant Opéra d’Oslo. Séjour: le Scandic Edderkoppen (scandichotels.com). visitoslo.com Oslo

Livigno, Italie Recommandé pour… prendre un bon bol d’air. Ville: Livigno se compose de trois villes encaissées dans la vallée. Montagne: réputée auprès des freestylers pour son half pipe, ses super boxes et ses sauts. A faire: faites le plein d’alcool bon marché et de tenues de designers – Livigno est hors taxes ! Séjour: le Lac Salin Spa & Mountain Resort (lungolivigno.com). livigno.eu Milan

NL In shuss

Start het nieuwe skiseizoen in stijl. Chris Moran geeft een overzicht van Europa’s beste skistations

Vallnord, Andorra Voor liefhebbers van… Skiën en wellness. Stadje: Van de vier dorpjes vindt u in Arinsal de betere hotels. Hier heerst een levendige sfeer. Berg: Arcalis vormt de ideale bestemming voor gevorderde skiërs en snowboarders. De sleepliften van Arinsal-Pal lenen zich dan weer perfect voor beginnende en gemiddelde skiërs. Niet te missen: Caldea Spa in Andorra la Vella. Verblijf: Hotel Princesa Parc (hotelprincesaparc. com). andorra.com Barcelona

Méribel, Frankrijk Voor liefhebbers van… Après ski. Stadje: Voor ieder wat wils; voor tieners op zoek naar feestgedruis en voor een ouder skipubliek dat al geniet van een warm wijntje. Berg: Deel van het Trois Vallées skigebied, met 600km piste en 183 liften. U zult zich niet vervelen. Niet te missen: Evolution (evolutionmeribel.com) voor een après-ski in stijl. Verblijf: Hotel Meribel Adray Telebar (telebar-hotel.com). meribel.net Lyon

Chamonix, Frankrijk Voor liefhebbers van… Skiën naast de pistes. Stadje: heel cosmopolitan, nabij ‘s werelds meest beroemde skistation. Een vleugje Alpengeschiedenis en de hemel voor liefhebbers van extreme sporten. Berg: Le Tour en Les Houches voor beginners, Grands Montets en Brévent vanaf een gemiddeld skiniveau. Niet te missen: de Aiguille du Midi, een 3842 meter lange kabelbaan. Verblijf: Hotel Eden (hoteleden- chamonix.com). chamonix.com Genève

Oslo, Noorwegen Voor liefhebbers van… Skiën naast de pistes. Stadje: De monumentale Holmenkollen skischans domineert de skyline. Berg: Het Tryvann Winter Park (tryvann.no), op 20 minuten rijden van het stadscentrum, is het neusje van de zalm onder de lokale beskibare bergen. Niet te missen: cultuurfreaks zullen weg zijn van Oslo’s adembenemende opera. Verblijf: Het Scandic Edderkoppen hotel (scandichotels.com). visitoslo.com Oslo

Livigno, Italië Voor liefhebbers van… natuur. Stadje: Livigno bestaat uit drie dorpjes verspreid gelegen over het valleidal. Berg: bekend bij freestylers voor zijn half pipe, fun boxes en gap jumps. Niet te missen: Sla goedkope alcohol en designkledij in. In Livogno is alles taxfree! Verblijf: het Lac Salin Spa & Mountain Resort (lungolivigno.com). livigno.eu Milaan

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