A third of British Skiers and Boarders (350’000) now travel independently to the Alps, so its not something to be wary of anymore. One of the biggest developments in the ski industry in the last ten years has been the switch from large tour operators to smaller companies and independent travel. Here is how to do it best. Your options …
Hiking Gillespies Pass in the Southern Alps of New Zealand
Friends from all over the South Island of New Zealand managed to get together for three days to hike the Wilkin – Young route over Gillespie’s Pass. At 1500m right in the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park, this rather taxing hike could only be described as spectacular despite the changeable weather we experienced. We all met and spent the …
Summer holidays in The Alps – what to pack
It seems as though more and more people are getting bored of beach holidays, and more often they turn to the mountains for their summer holiday. However, whereas a week on the beach in the med can be quite easy to pack for (swim wear, flip flops, sun cream), there are a few more things that you should consider bringing …
Easy 4000m Peaks in the Alps
To climb the relatively easy 4000m peaks of the Alps you still need to be an accomplished mountaineer, or a good winter mountain walker climbing together with a mountain guide. However, some of these summits are accessible to mountaineers without much technical climbing skill via their normal routes. Once properly acclimatized several spectacular 4000m summits are achievable for most mountaineers …
Chatel – The Best Kept Secret in the French Alps
If you know a bit about skiing, and someone asks you what the largest ski area in the world is, you would probably say the Three Valleys. Similarly, if you were asked where the best “snow sure” ski areas are, you might mention some of the glacier resorts such as Tignes and Val Thorens. In both cases you would be …
Hannibal :Elephants Over The Alps To Attack Rome
Hannibal of Carthage as a boy watched his father Hamilcar Barca go off to wars, and by the age of nine Hannibal accompanied his father to battles into Spain. Soon hardened by the roughness and brutality of war Hannibal matured quickly. Hannibal, son of the famous General began to prove his own personal worth. As he grew into a man …
2009 Ski Holidays In The French Alps
Live in Europe and thinking of a ski holiday this year, but wondering where most people regard as a good place to head for? The answer is often the French Alps. The Alpine Mountain Range is often referred to as the ‘Alps’ and stretches across much of Europe. The Alps are often divided into two categories – Eastern Alps and …
Vacations In Winter Wonderland – My 4 Favorite Places In The French Alps
I am not a “mountain person”. I usually prefer beaches, but when I saw Annecy for the first time (thanks to a friend to wouldn’t take no for an answer) I was blown away by the breathtaking beauty of the area. The French department of Haute-Savoie, located in the Alps and bordered by Switzerland to the north and Italy to …
Skiing in the French Alps
The Alpine Mountain Range is often referred to as the “Alps” and stretches across much of Europe. The Alps are often divided into two categories: Eastern Alps and Western Alps. The Western Alps include the mountains located in Italy, France and Switzerland. Skiing in the French Alps is an adventure like no other. Royalty, celebrities and people from all walks …
Ski Resorts in the French Alps
The French Alps are home to some of the most well-known and well-travelled ski resorts in Europe. Throughout the winter months, France’s more than 100 ski resorts are often filled to near capacity with skiers from around the globe. The French Alps, Pyrenees Mountains and Vosges offer a wide range of ski possibilities for beginners to advanced skiers. Adrenaline junkies …