The resurgence of luxury train travel
Discover the resurgence of luxury train travel, an elegant tradition dating back to the Belle Époque, with the revival of icons such as the Orient Express and the emergence of modern jewels.
Beyond skiing
Skiing was invented thousands of years ago in northern Europe by the Sami, who used wooden slats to move through the snow. The Norwegian Sondre Nordheim was the pioneer of modern skiing, as he made important technical innovations in both skis and equipment. The sport became popular among the European high society of the 1920s thanks to the first Winter Olympic Games and the first World Ski Championships, held in Chamonix in 1924.
Since then, the passion for skiing has not stopped growing. Skiing is much more than a sport, it is a journey in itself. Skiing or living any of the experiences related to snow allows you to be in contact with nature and discover some of the most beautiful places and landscapes on the planet. Ski trips are ideal to be enjoyed as a family, even if not all members of the family ski or have the same level. There are endless activities related to skiing and the mountains, suitable for all ages, tastes, and needs.
An adrenaline-filled experience: Heli-skiing in the Colorado Rockies.
The backbone of North America
The Rocky Mountains of Colorado, in the United States, are one of the best places in the world to enjoy skiing. The so-called "Rocky Mountains" were ranked by the prestigious Lonely Planet magazine in 2015 as the second place in its list of "Top places" to visit that year.
While skiing became popular in Europe in the late 19th century as a sport and recreational activity, at that time Colorado was filled with immigrants coming from all over the world to work the mines in search of fortune. The high peaks and frequent snowfalls made transportation by wagon or horse difficult. And it was the Scandinavian immigrants who taught their peers how to make skis and how to use them to move through the snow from place to place. This is how skiing was born in the Colorado Rockies. This mountain range, which stretches across 4,000 kilometers from Mexico to Alaska, forms the backbone of North America. The state of Colorado contains the highest number of peaks as well as the highest altitude across the entire mountain range.
In winter, the thick snow caps that cover the Rockies for months, recreate a spectacular white landscape, unique and unforgettable for any nature lover.
Imagine a few days with your family in an exclusive lodge in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where you can combine downhill skiing with Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, or a cat-skiing experience. This type of skiing consists of going up to the top of a mountain in a retrack enabled to transport several people, which can reach where the cable cars and chairlifts cannot. The adrenaline of the descent is guaranteed! And all this enlivened and complemented with other activities such as yoga, sauna, the comforting après-ski massages, and an exquisite gastronomy where you can even choose to have a picnic in the snow. In this way, the mountain in winter is no longer reserved for experienced skiers, and each traveler can create and enjoy their own snow experience to their liking.
Scarp Ridge is an exclusive lodge located in the Rockies, at the foot of the slopes, with an indoor saltwater pool to relax in after an intense day of skiing.
Scarp Ridge in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
The classic charm of the Alps
In central Europe, the Alps stretch a total of 1,200 kilometers, covering mainly France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. Montblanc is the highest peak, at 4,810 meters. It is believed that the word Alps may derive from the Latin word albus, meaning white, because of the color of its highest peaks, which are snow-capped almost all year round.
In the Alps, Val d'Isère is, for many, one of the best places in the world for skiing. Together with Tignes, it forms the so-called Espace Killy, named after the great French skier Jean-Claudi Killy. With more than 300 skiable kilometers, this area is the paradise of any ski enthusiast. The Val d'Isère resort, which hosted the World Ski Championships in 2009, also allows skiing in summer on the two glaciers that surround it: the Pissaillas, in Val d'Isère itself, and La Grande Motte, in neighboring Tignes, both 3,000 meters above sea level.
The Alps are home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. Here, it is possible to ski on-piste or off-piste. For the more daring, an exclusive heli-skiing experience allows you to ski in three different countries in a single day. For those seeking to connect with nature, snowshoeing excursions with mindful walking, breathing the fresh mountain air, and quieting the mind.
Chalet Pelerin, in the alpine village of Le Miroir.
Throughout this alpine area, there are numerous picturesque villages with exclusive mountain chalets that add a touch of glamour to the snow experience and invite you to enjoy many more activities such as ice skating, a dog sled ride, or end the day with a relaxing swim in an outdoor jacuzzi at the foot of the mountain, or with an intense day of shopping. All this without forgetting the gourmet part of the trip, tasting the best of French and Italian cuisine next to a warm fireplace, accompanied by the best wines of the area.
The Alpage, a shepherd's house converted into a luxury cottage.
The Alpage, an idyllic place to taste the best of alpine cuisine.
A chef is available 24 hours a day at Chalet Pelerin.
Oceanfront heli-skiing
Iceland is a country whose genesis of volcanic origin and its position touching the Arctic Circle endows it with geological, geographical, and climatological particularities that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Tröllaskagi is a mountainous peninsula located in the north of the island, 400km from the capital Reykjavik. Here, the mountains are slightly taller and dotted with small glaciers that keep the snow cold and fresh. Mount Kerling is the highest point, at 1,538 meters. Here you will see no sign of civilization, only nature in its purest state. The main town on the peninsula, Siglufjörður, was the herring fishing capital of the world between 1868 and 1967, and today a museum recalls that golden age of the area.
On the peaks of Tröllaskagi, those who are more adventurous can experience an unforgettable heli-skiing experience. The long descents over the North Atlantic Ocean, with a vertical of 915 meters, are framed by endless sunsets and the incomparable view of fjords and bays.
The thrilling experience of oceanfront skiing in Iceland.
The terrain is unlimited and even veteran skiers will find new places to explore. This area offers a multitude of possibilities for mountain skiing, with different itineraries and slopes, from extreme descents to summits with gentler and more manageable slopes. One of the peculiarities of Iceland is the long daylight hours during the spring, which allow you to choose the best time of day for skiing and even make a descent after dinner.
Skiing, however, is only part of the Icelandic adventure. You can also kayak the fjords, ride the famous Icelandic horses, spot whales, and puffins, bathe in the island's signature hot springs and explore the unique volcanic terrain of the planet's newest landmass.
Deplar Farm, on the Tröll Peninsula, Iceland.
Panoramic views from inside Deplar Farm.
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