Skiing Las Leñas

Skiing in Cuyo, Argentina

For the best extreme skiing in South America head to the Las Leñas ski resort in Argentina. It was opened nearly twenty – five years ago and is still attracting adrenaline junkies from around the world thanks to its high slopes and plentiful off-piste opportunities. There are over 24kms of possible runs and over 3,800 hectares for out of bounds skiing.

For many ski-fanatics the slopes of Las Leñas may already be familiar as the powdery runs are a favourite among film makers and photographers. The best in the world come to train here so it is definitely the place to be for the experts. However, there are also various opportunities for the novice skier, and the resort offers lessons for beginners.

Be warned that all of this comes with a price – not leasr the long queues for the infamous 'Marte' ski lift. It can often be shut for weeks at a time, so when it opens be prepared to queue as this the only way to reach the highest slopes. It could be shut for the whole of your stay. If this is the case there are always plenty of other activities such as Cat Skiing, Heli Skiing etc. The resort also offers trips to vineyards and thermal baths.

Whatever your taste, the Las Leñas resort will cater to it, as it says on the resort's website 'on a clear day you can ski forever.'

Bukovel Ski Resort

Skiing in Ukraine

For a new European class resort, you can't do much better than Bukovel Ski Resort in the Ukraine. It is situated in Ivano-Frankivsk, at a base elevation of 900m, with the top slope starting at 1,370m. The resort is a highly organised and efficient delight with practically nonexistent queues for chairlifts and scrupulously maintained slopes. The skiing experience here is enjoyable and they cater for a wide range of abilities with slow gentle slopes through to more extreme black runs. There is also the possibility for night skiing every evening. The resort is constantly expanding and new runs are added between each season. Local amenities are good with some decent restaurants and good quality, comfortable accommodation.

Bears Town Ski Resort

Skiing in South Korea

Bears Town Resort in Korea is a firm favourite among the country's city dwellers with a mix of beginner and advanced slopes. It is situated an hour away from Seoul in a deep valley on Mount Sorak. It is fully equipped and an excellent place to learn. There are novice runs like the aptly named 'Little Bear' run and more advanced trails like the 'Challenger Run' available, ideal for families. There are various places to stay on site but many people prefer to stay in Seoul so that they can hop on the tourist trail as well as taking time to ski. The resort maintains long hours, meaning that it is possible to ski first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Jasna Ski Resort

Skiing in Slovakia

In the central part of a 100km stretch of mountains called the Low Tatras lies the resort of Jasna; an icy paradise for all skiers. The resort sits on the southern slopes of Chopok Mountain, in the picturesque Demänovská Valley and it is a well known area for its profusion of beautiful scenery and fantastic terrain. The resort boasts 28km of downhill runs and the landscape is really well looked after. As well as slopes for beginners and intermediates, the more daredevil skier may like to try the difficult cross-country skiing tracks or even take up the challenge of the steep ravines at nearby Dereše, Ďumbier, and Chopok areas. The area is also a firm favourite among paragliding enthusiasts and many resorts offer the chance to go winter paragliding as well as an abundance of other activities and excursions.

Hemsedal

Skiing in Hemsedal, Norway

With some of the best snowfall and even better après ski, the resort of Hemsedal in Norway is definitely giving alpine resorts a run for their money. The area is a charming idyll, located in the Hallingdal Valley between Bergen and Oslo. The whole resort has grown massively in popularity thanks to the good snow and wide range of activities. The town itself is burrowed between the massive, rugged peaks of the surrounding mountains and is characterised by the log buildings, jovial atmosphere, historical interest, and the clear Norwegian feel. The 34 pistes themselves are very well maintained and they cover around 35kms with a wide range of levels. There are opportunities to try challenging off-piste runs and over 130kms of cross-country skiing. Additionally, the resort itself offers other activities to keep everyone amused from dog-sledding to kite-skiing.