Good times on your ski holidays
It's the most beautiful sport in the world and a sure-fire way to bring out the endorphins. Fresh mountain air, spectacular mountain views, carving fresh tracks on freshly groomed slopes, and of course the delicious mountain food and après-ski drinks. Sob, sob, there is so much to be thankful for! Non-skiers don’t know what they are missing. We could go on and on about why skiing (or snowboarding) is the greatest sport on earth, but that would be a very long article. So we’ve condensed all these experiences down into 11 wonderful moments that every skier and snowboarder can relate to.
1. Arriving in the mountains after a long journey
Planes, trains and automobiles: after a long journey to the continent, there’s nothing like that first view of the mountains! From the moment you spot those imposing white mountain peaks far off in the distance, your pulse starts to quicken and you can already hear the strains of après-ski music somewhere in the back of your mind. Finally, the ski resort comes into view... you’re here!
First glimpse of the mountains
2. Waking up to a fresh snowfall
The biggest gift that a skier can receive is a fresh dump of powder from Mother Nature. We all get excited when we check the weather report in the evening, hoping for blue skies and good skiing conditions tomorrow. That moment when you open the curtains in the morning to glimpse a beautiful white winter wonderland outside the window? Priceless.
3. Breathing in the fresh mountain air
After a quick breakfast, it’s time to head up onto the mountain. The sun is shining and the fresh snow crunches under your ski boots. Inhaling deeply, you take a breath of the fresh mountain air. Does it get any closer to pure happiness?
4. Fresh tracks on a newly groomed piste
Early bird skiers and snowboarders will appreciate the amazing sensation of being the first one to carve their tracks into a freshly groomed piste. Take advantage of those perfect slope conditions! If you get out there early enough, you can get a good few runs in before the masses arrive.
First tracks
5. Pistes all to yourself
Even if you like sleeping in, you’ve no need to worry. It’s not unlikely to have a piste to yourself during the course of the day, where you can ski with total abandon and not worry about crashing into other skiers!
6. A delicious schnitzel for lunch
Your lunch break has been highly anticipated. Taking a seat at a sunny mountain hut terrace, you experience a heady sense of satisfaction as you tuck into that crunchy golden schnitzel. Or gröstl. Or cheese fondue. Or raclette. Is anybody else’s stomach growling?
Schnitzel break!
7. Floating in all the powder
Even after lunch you can usually find some secret powder stashes on the mountain. Freeriding through deep pow-pow is better than flying! Leave your tracks on the pristine, glittering snow as you glide down the side of the mountain.
8. Skiing above the clouds
Any skier worth their salt knows that a foggy, cloudy day in the valley means nothing when determining the weather on top of the mountain. If you’re lucky and your ski area lies above the clouds, you’ll get gorgeous views in all directions as well as great skiing conditions. And probably less crowds, because of all the silly billies who stayed home.
Skiing above the clouds
9. Children take their first ski steps
Proud parents and grandparents know no greater joy than seeing the little ones ski for the first time. Smiling faces and rosy cheeks: yup, a new generation has caught the skiing bug! Years later they’ll still be thanking you for this amazing gift.
10. Cosy après-ski back in the hotel
At the end of the ski day, everyone huddles round in the hotel and spends a cosy evening together. Hot cocoa or few glasses of mulled wine will soon have heads nodding. Contented and happy, you head off to bed to get a good night’s sleep for the next day of skiing!
Happy memories of your ski holiday
11. Reminiscing about your ski holiday
Your ski holiday is over in the blink of an eye and you daydream wistfully during your first few days back in the office. Your coworkers might make fun of your goggle tan, but you wear it proudly: they don’t know what they’re missing! It’s time to start planning your next ski holiday already...
Good times on your ski holidays
It's the most beautiful sport in the world and a sure-fire way to bring out the endorphins. Fresh mountain air, spectacular mountain views, carving fresh tracks on freshly groomed slopes, and of course the delicious mountain food and après-ski drinks. Sob, sob, there is so much to be thankful for! Non-skiers don’t know what they are missing. We could go on and on about why skiing (or snowboarding) is the greatest sport on earth, but that would be a very long article. So we’ve condensed all these experiences down into 11 wonderful moments that every skier and snowboarder can relate to.
1. Arriving in the mountains after a long journey
Planes, trains and automobiles: after a long journey to the continent, there’s nothing like that first view of the mountains! From the moment you spot those imposing white mountain peaks far off in the distance, your pulse starts to quicken and you can already hear the strains of après-ski music somewhere in the back of your mind. Finally, the ski resort comes into view... you’re here!
First glimpse of the mountains
2. Waking up to a fresh snowfall
The biggest gift that a skier can receive is a fresh dump of powder from Mother Nature. We all get excited when we check the weather report in the evening, hoping for blue skies and good skiing conditions tomorrow. That moment when you open the curtains in the morning to glimpse a beautiful white winter wonderland outside the window? Priceless.
3. Breathing in the fresh mountain air
After a quick breakfast, it’s time to head up onto the mountain. The sun is shining and the fresh snow crunches under your ski boots. Inhaling deeply, you take a breath of the fresh mountain air. Does it get any closer to pure happiness?
4. Fresh tracks on a newly groomed piste
Early bird skiers and snowboarders will appreciate the amazing sensation of being the first one to carve their tracks into a freshly groomed piste. Take advantage of those perfect slope conditions! If you get out there early enough, you can get a good few runs in before the masses arrive.
First tracks
5. Pistes all to yourself
Even if you like sleeping in, you’ve no need to worry. It’s not unlikely to have a piste to yourself during the course of the day, where you can ski with total abandon and not worry about crashing into other skiers!
6. A delicious schnitzel for lunch
Your lunch break has been highly anticipated. Taking a seat at a sunny mountain hut terrace, you experience a heady sense of satisfaction as you tuck into that crunchy golden schnitzel. Or gröstl. Or cheese fondue. Or raclette. Is anybody else’s stomach growling?
Schnitzel break!
7. Floating in all the powder
Even after lunch you can usually find some secret powder stashes on the mountain. Freeriding through deep pow-pow is better than flying! Leave your tracks on the pristine, glittering snow as you glide down the side of the mountain.
8. Skiing above the clouds
Any skier worth their salt knows that a foggy, cloudy day in the valley means nothing when determining the weather on top of the mountain. If you’re lucky and your ski area lies above the clouds, you’ll get gorgeous views in all directions as well as great skiing conditions. And probably less crowds, because of all the silly billies who stayed home.
Skiing above the clouds
9. Children take their first ski steps
Proud parents and grandparents know no greater joy than seeing the little ones ski for the first time. Smiling faces and rosy cheeks: yup, a new generation has caught the skiing bug! Years later they’ll still be thanking you for this amazing gift.
10. Cosy après-ski back in the hotel
At the end of the ski day, everyone huddles round in the hotel and spends a cosy evening together. Hot cocoa or few glasses of mulled wine will soon have heads nodding. Contented and happy, you head off to bed to get a good night’s sleep for the next day of skiing!
Happy memories of your ski holiday
11. Reminiscing about your ski holiday
Your ski holiday is over in the blink of an eye and you daydream wistfully during your first few days back in the office. Your coworkers might make fun of your goggle tan, but you wear it proudly: they don’t know what they’re missing! It’s time to start planning your next ski holiday already...
About Danielle
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!