5 Up-and-Coming Ski-Holiday Destinations

It’s fairly safe to say that most if not all skiers are familiar with famous ski destinations such as Canada, Switzerland and France. Famous resorts like Lake Louise, Verbier and Val Thorens have long been established and continue to attract visitors from all over the world, many of whom visit the same resort year after year.
However, great skiing conditions and experiences aren’t limited to the world renowned destinations listed above. There are a number of other ski destinations that are beginning to establish themselves in their own right, some of which you may not have considered when deciding where to visit on your next ski-trip.
Below are 5 up-and-coming ski destinations that aren’t anywhere near as well known as those mentioned earlier in the article.
That’s not to say that they don’t have plenty to offer those choosing to visit for a skiing holiday though so be sure to bear the following countries and resorts in mind when it comes to booking your next ski holiday.

Andorra
Located in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, Andorra is quickly establishing itself as a popular ski destination for skiers of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skier, anyone on the look out for a budget ski holiday should have Andorra at the top of their list of places to visit. There has been substantial investment in modern, efficient lifts over the past few years and recent visitors are more often than not extremely complimentary about their time spent skiing in Andorra. Main resorts include the Pas de la Casa which is the biggest ski resort in Andorra and Soldeu and El Tarter which are lively and friendly villages that are popular with visitors because of the relaxed atmosphere and impressive skiing conditions.

Bulgaria
Another up-and-coming country that is well suited to those looking for a low budget ski holiday is Bulgaria. Particularly suited to beginners and less experienced skiers, Bulgaria is home to Eastern Europe’s greatest ski mountain. The mountain is located in Bansko, Bulgaria’s best developed ski resort which thanks to heavy investment over the last few years has been transformed from a quaint, medieval town into the ski resort it is today. Another resort which is admired by visitors is Borovets, Bulgaria’s oldest ski resort. With friendly locals, smart new/renovated hotels, low prices and great skiing conditions, it’s easy to see why Bulgaria is becoming increasingly popular with skiers.

Chile
When you think of ski destinations, you probably don’t think of South America. However, the world’s longest continental mountain range is found there and as a result skiers can visit between June and late September to find perfect skiing conditions. The Andes mountain range runs through a number of South American countries but it’s Chile that is perhaps the most up-and coming ski destination, closely followed by Argentina. Ski resorts in Chile provide a contrasting experience to Europe and North America and the geographical diversity is quite spectacular. Portillo is the most famous ski resort in Chile. The most spectacular have to be the Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado resorts which together make up a ‘golden triangle’ of resorts which have pistes suited to beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers.

Japan
Having hosted two Winter Olympic Games in Sapporo and Nagano, Japan is one of the world’s greatest ski destinations with over 600 resorts. Whilst some people may be put off by the cost and time it takes to travel to Japan, it is a great option for those not restricted by a budget looking for a slightly different skiing experience. It is perhaps surprising that Japan is often overlooked as a skiing destination by many when you consider the standard of the resorts. Japan’s popularity with skiers may never reach the same levels as Canada but with the renowned Japanese efficiency, attention to detail, service and excellent lift systems that are on offer to those visiting Japanese ski resorts, it’s likely that more and more people will begin to visit this great country for their ski holiday. Hakuba and Yuzawa are two of the most popular resorts in Japan.

India
India, like Chile, is another destination that you probably wouldn’t associate with skiing. Despite the fact that many would consider skiing in India as farfetched, the Himalayas provide fantastic conditions for skiers of all abilities. The recent trend of skiers looking further a field at destinations not usually associated with skiing has helped India establish itself as a skiing destination. Although it’s early days for India, the signs are that it will become increasingly popular with adventurous skiers and snowboarders and it is already home to the highest gondola on earth. Should you choose to visit India, one thing you can be certain of is quiet if not empty slopes. Last year it was estimated that less than 500 people visited the country to ski. With the impressive scenery and first class snow quality, it’s a safe bet that more and more people will choose India for ski holidays in the future. If they do, it’s likely that Gulmarg will be their chosen resort as it is considered to be the best resort in India.