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I know there are many of you out there that aren’t enticed by the word Free. In fact, there are probably more of you out there that dash away from Free because it probably has strings attached, isn’t of good quality or doesn’t really exist (No such thing as a free lunch, etc.).

Well, put all your trepidations aside and open your heart and mind to the idea of first-rate free, a.k.a nothing, on the house, open, liberated  or gratis. . . you get the idea. Today, I’m here to tell you about about Free Ski-iPhone Apps you can download to your iPhone and get some really stellar information, from trail maps to lift openings to snow reports to directions and much more. You can get apps from Apple’s App store or find guys who post them on their own websites.

The Ski-O-Meter iPhone app lets you keep your iPhone snug in your zipper breast pocket and record everything from distance, speed, maximum, average, and minimum speed. All you have to do is press Play, while being sure to put the iPhone in the lock position. I know I love having this information after a long bike ride, so now it’s possible with skiing. I think this app is really great for either alpine or cross-country skiers.

The Snocater iPhone app is probably one of the most diverse iphone applications; plus, it’s really built for skiers and boarders by skiers and boarders. The displayable trail maps not only show you where you are, but allow you to interact and see where you’re going or how to get there (mid trail). Not to mention, you can access mountain cams, get forecasts, check nearby lifts and runs and terrain, all while  keeping in touch with friends through Sniff—a texter that allows you to text friends and see where they are at too. The designers, Liberty Media Corps, are offering both US and International locations (coming soon).

The RealSki iPhone App doesn’t use virtual reality but claims to be unique in it’s use of AR or Augmented Reality. To describe it, the app overlays digital graphics by utilizing, “camera, compass, and other 3GS features to overlay ski runs and key points of interest in AR.” Essentially, as you turn the iPhone to the slopes, little ski trail and resort signs (green here) pop up on the screen telling you which way to this or that run.

The Hangtimer Iphone App maybe doesn’t do a lot of fancy-shmancy stuff, but it does do one thing that all the other never thought of—catch how long you catch air! I like this app because it’s good for skiing but good for a lot of other sports where air time may not be important but is fun. Apparently, in using some arduous math skills, it can tell when you take off and when you land, whether jumping off a cliff or careening down a slope or roller coaster.

The REI Snow Report iPhone App pretty much has it all. You can view snow reports around the globe, so it’s not just US-Centric! From Australia to Chile, New Zealand to Austria, this app can show you the depth, forecasts, trails, maps, open and closed lifts and even projected snow fall. You can even access web cams and links to other web resort sites. Aside from Hangtimer, this app can do what all the others can do, combined. Improved from last year and unique, get it for free now.

The iTrailMap 3D iPhone App lets you see yourself on a 3D mountain and record them and later get them on the web. Additionally, you can keep record of your stats, like distance, speed, vertical drop and much more. Some unique, fluid features include rotating 3D, panning, switch from digital to paper maps and even see the snowscape in landscape mode, showing you all the terrain and topography. Whats more, once you have the maps downloaded, you don’t need cellular connection while mid-piste. You’ll have access to it all from memory and see it when you want, regardless of connection.

The SkiJump Lite iPhone App has been said to be a very addicting game. I’ve not tried it, but for all it’s worth, I thought including a generic little game would keep you from getting bored with all the serious stuff. What is really cool about this game, however, is that once you do make an amazing jump (longest, as this is the aim of the game), your score is uploaded to the database automatically and you are entered to win some cool prizes, from Gore-Tex jackets to Softshells that make skiing fashionable and fun.

From Strap-Ons to Snowboard Slings, I’ve looked for some of 20-10s cutting edge toys to help you squander that ski holiday money. At any rate, I just wanted to give you some ideas for the slopes to help you with everything from staying warm to staying in step. Here are some things to help you get at it!

iPhone Apps

I might as well give you a sneak preview of next week’s blog article: iPhone Apps. I’ll soon give you a run-through and teach you about some of the niftiest iPhone applications related to skiing, but for now, I’ll tell you that there are all kinds of apps for gear, snow conditions, trail maps, international and US ski resort information and weather updates. It’s like playing God, pointing to what you want to see and instantly knowing. Oh the Power! (Stay Tuned.)

Battery-Heated Ski Socks

Say you’re on ski holiday but you never really get to enjoy those Alps in Tonale, Italy nor do you ride the runs in Tignes, France because you’re always just too cold. If you’re the type that freezes to death on a summer’s eve, it’s time to quit shivering. May I introduce to you the battery-heated ski sock, long enough so you can still fit into your ski boots, and warm enough to keep you skiing merrily till dusk. If you’re still cold you can try Smartwool socks, Insolator winter insoles or Thermastat silk that heats up naturally. Ther-Mic Foot warmers have insoles already built in to a battery operated heater sock. You may never have to enjoy hot cocoa again…

No Such Thing As Handicapped

If you have an amputation above the knee, then do not fret—Your high-adrenaline rush will continue to flow with the XT9 Energy Storing Prosthetic Knee. From Telemarking in Kranjska Gora to Alpining or Cross-country skiing in Les Orres, SymBiotecks make it possible to ice climb, play ice hockey, go ice skating or, yes, snowboard (among many other non-ski related fun). Your next skiing holiday will be just as fun as you remembered it, but this time, you may even be better than ever!

SnowQ Snowboard Sling

Though this doesn’t involve any batteries or windy widgets, the SnowQ Sling allows you to carry your snowboard or skis on your back. This is especially handy, if like me, your ski hotel, hostel or apartment is immeasurably far from the slopes (yes, because I’m poor and cheap). At any rate, no more lugging your skis or board to the slope with arms achey and numb. (So far, I think these are only available online from retailers in the USA.)

Tri-Slider Sled

Some of us just want to stay off our feet while on ski vacation. One way we can do this and have more fun is through the tri-slider sled. This sled allows the rider to comfortably sit over the top of their legs and have control whilst going vroom down hill. The concept is quite easy and nicely ergonomic. There’s even brakes and steering handlebars.

Strap-On Snow-blades

You’ve probably heard of these because they have been around for a few years. Snow-blades are unique in that they are shorter but wider and mainly used for Alpine skiing, though denomination groups for snow-blades may very well use them for all kinds of purposes. They are easy to carry around and great for carving. Usually, these are worn with your alpine ski boots, without poles.

The World Cup Finals are a sure sign that spring has arrived and that Alpine Skiing will retreat from the spotlight for half a year.

The best skiers are gathered in Garmisch Partenkirchen and are taking part in the last competitions of the season, but many are already adding up the scores of this season. The season itself is far from over; there are several National Championships taking place in April and some FIS races as well. Some skiers will take time to test new equipments, as all sponsorship deals end after the Olympics.

The Germans are learning how to organise World Championship races. Garmisch Partenkirchen is hosting major skiing events next year as well as they gained some experience by hosting the Junior World Championship in Alpine Skiing last year and this year it was the world cup finale. After what I’ve experienced, they have their work cut out for them if they wish to get any praise in the future.

The press centre in the arena was certainly too small. In fact, it was actually a combination of a canteen, a space for teams and working space for reporters. Chaos ensued. During the first race of women’s grand slalom there was a power outage and many reporters were left without visual contact and race results.

This is unforgivable; every FIS race must have backup generators to prevent such problems. There were also plenty of logistical problems and it is vital they sort out the parking facilities. All in all, there is plenty of work to be done, and the slopes themselves are not as attractive as they could be.

A lot of buzz is surrounding the Austrian team. Once the strongest Alpine Skiing team in the world just had the worst season in history. First, there is the disaster at the Vancouver Olympics: the Austrian male team did not bring home a single medal. Downhill, the most revered discipline and an Austrian speciality, proved to be a disaster. They did not manage a single win in the entire season, which last happened 18 years ago. Things weren’t that great in the Super G and grand slalom either.

The only successful skier this season was Reinfried Herbst in slalom, and this does not suffice for the Austrians. Tony Geiger’s dismissal is now a fact, and it looks like the team is changing its head of the national team after 11 years. The chairman of the Austrian skiing association Peter Schröcksnadel is announcing radical changes, for example hiring Austrian coaches which had success with training other National teams. We have some interesting changes to look forward to as far as the »coach market« is concerned.

We need to mention someone else as well. In the men’s super G, we saw Liechtenstein’s Marco Büchel on the starting line for the last time. He is one of the most well loved alpine skiers. Everyone from his competition, coaches and reporters adored him. When he made it to the finish line in his shorts, half the female world cup contestants were waiting for him there. The winner of 4 world cup races is finally giving up skiing at 38. Now he’ll be able to spend more time with his wife Tania and his dog Jesper. He will surely stay linked with skiing however; he will be the expert correspondent at a German television channel.

Once you’ve got skiing in your blood, there’s no turning back.

I spent this weekend with a friend of mine filming at Vogel, Slovenia. We built a nice step-down jump over the road with had a great view of the mountains behind. A perfect place to make a cool trick over and get away with a clean shot which could be published on an internet page, ski magazine or on a commercial.

Performing tricks in the park are usually much more easier easier to do than in the great back-country of the Alps. The big difference between doing a jump in a park or in the back-country is often it’s location. Doing one in the back-country often has a rough landing zone which is covered with trees. It’s often short with no pop at the end and also it’s often narrow and the in-run is hardly skiable without a good knowledge of skiing. Below I have set out, in my opinion, 7 ways of progressing from park to back-country jumping:

1. get really comfortable with a trick in the park
2. find a nice open place with steep landing and without trees in it
3. locate the area where you can build the jump and making sure that you will have enough speed to clear the gap
4. get focused on the trick and landing before getting counting the number of tries (max 3)
5. land the trick with perfection
6. check the shot with your photographer and cameraman
7. take a rest, go for a beer at a lodge on the hill

These are just a few tips for all you free-ride and free-style skiers out there. Be careful that the location is not exposed to avalanches and that the weather is perfect.

My Dad hates to leave things behind. Over the years he has developed a Master Ski List of things not to forget. Not that the average person would forget their snowboard or skis, but he even writes those items down. This list is locked quietly away in a filing cabinet and perused a few weeks before each family trip. A blanket is laid out on an unused part of the floor and accessories are assembled together there for about a week before the trip.

I have, unfortunately, inherited this inclination toward retentiveness, and yes, often anally retentiveness runs deep in my family. Yes, it makes having friends very difficult. In any case, here are 4 ski accessories most often forgotten taken from the manuals of Dad’s Lord of Lists (Including: A Horror Story of what happens if you do forget!)

Ski Poles

I talked about these little understood but most necessary accessories last week. Well, these are one of the top ski holiday utensils most often forgotten. My twin brother brought one of his (sort of) expensive Scott’s and not the other. He took it to the ski rental shop to find a match—I can see it now: “I’d like to rent one, yes one, ski pole.” At any rate, he sat it down to ask about renting another single ski pole and this one disappeared. It either walked off or was stolen. Anyway, he now had only one ski pole at home, forever going on ski vacation thereafter and trying to rent one ski pole. True story!

Goggles

Whether for snowboarding or snow skiing, goggles are just so darn necessary that they are often lost or forgotten. Those Smiths, Oakleys or Zeals are not something you want to replace often. At any rate, here’s the horror story: This one time a band camp…no, wrong story…ski camp…my sister forgot her goggles. So, she rented a pair and had to sign for them, agreeing that they were not damaged. Not too long after, she damaged them. It was more of a crack than a scratch if I remember correctly. She had to pay for them, as per the agreement.

Helmets

It seems like every sport these days requires a helmet. I have one for biking, rock climbing and for skiing. Depending on the slopes, however, I don’t often wear it like I should. Helmets are so easily forgotten or misplaced that it’s best to tick them off of the list once they are for sure in the car. I personally like the Bern or Giro models (for biking). One time, I accidentally left my helmet on top of the 4X4 going from Courchevel in France to a smaller no-name resort and it flew off the top, unbeknownst to any of us. I’m sure it fitted someone else perfectly and they considered themselves very fortunate. I was not as fortunate delving out another €127  for a new one. No apres ski drinking (or girls) for me that year!

Funny Pack

My mom will not leave the house without it. My grandma uses it for everything from used tissues to hiding bags of candy. My brother and I can’t get within the vicinity of them with their fanny packs without laughing our heads off, and I’m older now, but I still laugh out loud. Here’s a suggestion: The little back country pouches that ride your fanny (butt) are fanny packs and are great to poke fun at—funny packs. The larger ones, used for important gear, called lumbar packs, are not so funny. So, choose the latter over the former if at all possible. Two lumbar packs (not fanny packs) are made my NorthFace and Eagle Creek. If you plan to get off-piste at all, like in the hills of France in Chamonix or like in Innsbruck or Tux in Austria, you’ll want a fully prepared lumbar pack (not funny, er, fanny pack – enough of a horror story in itself here).

Canada isn’t one of the safest places when it comes to alpine and cross-country skiing. Sometimes the slopes and tracks are very close to trees, the ski lift support beams are covered with some of the thinnest cushions I’ve ever seen on ski slopes and gorges and precipices are fenced off by narrow bands. Apparently they feel that all they have to do to ensure safety is to include a disclaimer on their skiing tickets stating that everyone is skiing at their own risk. Anyway, the ditches and gorges next to the cross-country tracks were unprotected as well. The first one to notice this was the best cross-country skier in the world, Justina Kowalczyk, who warned the technical delegate for women’s cross country sprints that a particular turn on the slopes is dangerous
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The technical delegate was Uroš Ponikvar, a fellow Slovene, who told Kowalczyk to leave him alone and to get ready for the race. Several minutes after this, Petra Majdič fell in the gorge on the exact same turn. She fell 3m and landed on ice and rocks breaking both her skis and skiing poles and hit herself badly. The security staff got her out and wanted to take her to the hospital, but Petra wanted to take part in the qualifications. After it became clear that she felt pains in her abdomen and ribs, she agreed to have an ultrasound examination, but only after ensuring that she’d be allowed to start last in the qualifications.

The ultrasound showed that nothing was broken; it was just a very serious blow. Petra was relieved, took some painkillers and went to the start line. She managed to get through qualifications and ran extremely well in the quarter finals. She was in agonizing pain, but gave everything she had and then some. They literally carried her off the finish line after every race. In the semi-finals, her adversaries were just too strong. She fell behind two of them, who would then be guaranteed a place in the finals, but kept going because she could still qualify on the basis of her time. She came in fourth, but got through to the finals.

Exhausted and in serious pain, she was about to start the race of her life. She knew that such an opportunity would never come along again. She knew she won’t be able to recover enough to attend the 30km race, that she’d be too old for the Sochi Olympics. She had worked 20 years for this opportunity. So it was now or never and after a truly heroic performance she won a bronze medal. She gave the last ounces of her strength for it, fainted as she crossed the finish line and some even thought she’d need resuscitation
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Other coaches and competitors said her achievement was the equivalent of a gold medal, but Petra Majdič said that it was more: “It is gold with little diamonds in it.” They took her to a hospital soon after and a thorough examination showed that in fact, she had 4 broken ribs and a pierced lung. This season is over for her, but Petra’s Olympic dream still came true.

If you think skiing is cooler without ski poles or that they just hinder your every move, then you’ve been missing out on one of the most cleverest ways to not only improve but also do your best. More often than not, the instructor will tell you not to use ski poles as a beginner. This is only to help you focus on your center of gravity, starting at your core and spreading out through your butt, thighs and angle of your legs. Once you start to gain equilibrium, however, skiing poles will become your best friend throughout your skiing career: from beginner to intermediate to expert and onward. Here are some things to keep in mind no matter your skiing ability before you buy the El-Cheapo ski poles or decide to ditch them altogether.

Parts of the Ski Pole
Grip – the bottom of the ski pull; the part your hand grips around
strap – the nylon strap your hands go through to make sure you don’t leave your ski pole mid-piste
shaft – the part of the pole between the grip and the tip; these are made of graphite, metal or aluminium
basket – this is that plastic, round and flat piece a few inches (5-8 cm) above the ski pole tip
Tip – this is the top or tip of the ski pole; it’s usually pointy, can be sharp and made of unpainted metal.

Other Than Intended

Ski poles are often used, quite nicely, for things they really are not intended for. One example is to hit that little button on the back of your ski that unlocks your boot from the ski. I’m not sure how else anyone would push that oh-so-far little fastener anyway. Also, ski poles are a great way to knock the snow off your ski boot bottom. Again, it’s really the only way. But, before you think this is all ski poles are good for, think again.

How To Buy

I’ve seen ski poles for as little as 20-30 euros to well over 200 euros. The former gets you some form of metal and plastic glued together while the latter gives you the best composites of carbon and graphite money can buy. If you’re a beginner, shoot for the medium priced pair (durable enough to handle some falls, like aluminum) and if you’re an expert, buy the best you can afford. At any rate, you can check for the proper fit (size) if you turn the poll upside down. Simply grab the shaft of the pole that is just underneath the basket. Your forearm should be somewhat parallel to the ground. If too short, you won’t be able to stand upright; if too long, you’ll have trouble turning and be pushed backwards onto your heels. Some newer models are telescoping, but I’d only recommend these if they are a pair of the more pricey variety. If you’re an expert skier, you may want to be professionally fitted, as these are just rules of thumb, not rules to compete in competition by.

Grip Fitting

You’ll want grips on the ski poles that either ergonomically fit your hands or will eventually mold to their grip. However, I use a pair made of cork that smoothed out over time that I totally love. So, the most important thing about the grip is comfort, since no two hands are exactly alike. It’s wise to make sure your gloved-hands will fit into the straps without difficulty before you buy as well. You’ll enter the straps from the underneath, and if you’re an expert, it is often wise to have straps that will “unsnap” or come off if you get finagled in a tree or bush. The strap can be used in conjunction with the grip to hold your weight as well. The grip of a woman or man’s ski pole can be thick or thinner depending on the intended use. Be sure that your hand can easily fit around the grip when skiing.

I think, deep down, I was prepared for what was to come. I just didn’t want to face it until it was right in front of me. From the second our producer gave me the plane tickets to Vancouver and I saw the times of departure and arrival, I knew what it would be like.

I hate long distance flights. I avoid them whenever I can help it, which is why I never go on far away vacations.

I generally like flying, but definitely not for ten hours. I can’t figure out why I can’t sleep on planes, so I have to waste my time reading, watching movies, drinking, stretching. And it’s still annoying as hell.
This was a necessary intro if I want to stress how incredibly relieved I was when I landed in Vancouver after 18 hours. The first thing we had to do was to confirm our press accreditations which, in the last few years, thankfully took place at the airport; an incredibly practical idea. Next we picked up our luggage and were directed to the buses which would take us to Whistler.

This world renowned, up-class resort is the location to where the majority of the competitions will take place. It only made sense for my co-workers and I to find accommodation in the centre of it all.

Glad that everything was going so smoothly, I pushed my trolley towards the parking lot. I knew that I was facing yet another two hours of driving but the thought of a shower and a bed at the end of it all calmed me down considerably. That was the plan at least, before a young man with a fake Olympic smile informed us that the bus wasn’t there yet.

Five minutes, the young man told us. Two and a half hours later, when the bus still wasn’t there, I wasn’t the only one feeling borderline suicidal. All my co-workers from the Slovene National TV, our colleagues from Austria and the ZDF German crew shared our desperation.

Eventually, we did manage to make it to Whistler and this wasn’t to be the end of our problems. The driver wasn’t a local and by this I mean he had never yet set foot in Whistler. He did have a commendable desire to take everyone right to the doorstep of their hotel but since he didn’t know where he was half the time, this got more and more annoying. He typed the coordinates into his Garmin and then struggled with the town’s new driving regime, set up for the Olympics. When we did manage to find a hotel, it was usually located at the end of a series of narrow roads and passages and took forever to get back out again. Long story short, 7 hours after landing in Vancouver I got to my hotel room, too tired to even get upset.

The next morning when I woke up, Whistler was looking better than ever in the morning sunlight. I’ll write about the town itself later, for now I’ll just say that it’s very clean and there are two vast skiing areas on either side of the town. When I manage to find some free time during the day, I’ll definitely try out what the skiing is like here. That is, if the weather will get any better. Rain and overcast weather are coming in from Hawaii, the organisers haven’t managed to set up the men’s downhill training and the forecast is even worse for the upcoming days. It seems that even the backup plans and basic schedules for competitions will have to be altered.

The conditions are similar to Europe’s spring but it isn’t clear how long this bad weather will last. At the speed with which the weather changes around here, it might be that we will complain about excess snow in just a few days. The official opening ceremony is drawing nearer and nearer, the athletes have arrived and the spectators are gathering. The games can begin and we just need  the weather to cooperate.

When I diverted my attention from the debate which was taking place at our table, I noticed a lone diner in the corner of the restaurant. The gentleman was eating a steak and enjoying a glass of red wine. He gave a distinct impression of a confident man, one who keeps himself and his surrounding under control. Makes sense, I thought. Otherwise he’d never be the most successful skier in the history of alpine skiing. To win 25 downhill races in the World Cup Championship, he needed to be daring, focused, egotistical and a bit crazy.

I got up and walked over to him. I spoke to him in German and invited him to join us for a drink at our table. I figured that such an important guest shouldn’t be left to himself in Kranjska Gora. Franz Klammer was visiting Kranjska Gora as a representative of Bad Kleinkircheim which, together with Tarvisio and Kranjska Gora, is a candidate for the organisation of the World Cup Championship in Alpine Skiing in 2017.

I introduced myself and when I told him that my colleague and winner of the Adelboden slalom in 2000, Matjaž Vrhovnik, is also at the table, he accepted my invitation. I must admit I was quite proud of myself as I waited on tenterhooks for the arrival of our intriguing Austrian guest.

After the mandatory greetings and introductions the atmosphere loosened up considerably and Klammer sat with us for a good hour and a half. It could have been even longer, but they were closing up the restaurant. Franz Klammer turned out to be a great person to talk to, both in German and in English, to which we switched so that the others could join the conversation.

He didn’t come across as self-centred for a minute, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say that a perfectly normal person was sitting amongst us – this was, however, the skier that dominated the slopes in the second half of the 70’s.

We mostly talked about skiing, and it was just a matter of time before we got to the winter Olympics in Vancouver. I remembered Kjetill A. Aamodt winning gold in super G in Turin with a performance that would normally come in 10th, at least that’s what the analysis showed. I wondered why those who ski incredibly well in races each week, can’t seem to put themselves together and do the same in the Olympics.

Franz Klammer heard me out and after a short pause replied that the role of a favourite in such an immense competition is a very ungrateful one, and that pressure is incredibly high. I replied that people like himself, or Michael Walchhofer or Didier Cuche as his modern equivalents, shouldn’t succumb to such nonsense. A skier that wins regularly in World Cup races has nothing left to prove to anyone. He thought again for a moment and said “If I hadn’t won gold in 1976 at Innsbruck, I’d still be a champion, but never a legend.” I remembered that race in a second; the day that every Austrian was sure Olympic gold was as good as theirs. Klammer made a series of mistakes on the upper half of the slope, but made up for everything in the middle and bottom, beat Bernhard Russi and won by 0,33 seconds.
A legend was born.

This is what athletes will be fighting for from the 13th of February. For themselves, for their country, for glory, for fans, for money. Two incredible weeks lie ahead, full of drama, surprises, sensations and tragedies – things only the Olympics can offer. Off to Vancouver!

The Littler Known Places to Go, Ski, and See

Just because a ski resort is little known (or not known at all) doesn’t mean that it is has no good outdoor winter activities. Quite the contrary: Some of the best kept secrets are that exactly—the places that not too many people think of going. Though the locals may know about their own best-kept secrets, it doesn’t mean that you can’t barge in for some serious skiing or boarding on your neighbors powder. I’ve come up with some out-of-the-way ski destinations and what you can do there this winter. It’s time to give up the crowds, expense and go native.

Andorra

Though you may have never thought of taking a visit to Andorra—that little speck tucked between Spain and France—there are some ski resorts you won’t soon forget. One that comes to mind is Vallnord Ordino, Arcalis. Arcalis is literally concealed between the main Cercle d’Arcalis, a valley with some snowy north-facing slopes with trees all around. Aside from some crazy locals and those living in the neighboring towns (across the borders), you won’t find this place overblown with tourists. The nearly 700 meter drop won’t leave you laughing except for the joy of being alive (OK, it’s not that bad) and  there probably more snow making machines per  hectare than any other European snow resort.

Austria

It’s a little harder than you might think finding a “small” or “reclusive” ski resort in Austria that no one has ever heard of. One that I came across, however, is not as small and popular as it feels. Lech (Zurs am Arlberg) is one of those getaways that you won’t be disappointed I when you get here. There’s a few more than 100 ski slopes to choose from and a cool children’s park and a few times a day you can jump on a horse drawn sleigh. The 2800 meter vertical will take up plenty of your day perfecting.

Germany

The little-heard of ski resort of Wallberg in Germany is a recluses dream ski holiday. Though there is one great toboggan run around 7 km long and a ski slope meant for true experts, Wallberg is meant for those who come to do other activities in the snow. Those few souls looking for outdoor adventure away from the crowds during the ski season come to Wallberg for cross-country skiing, primo explorations around lake Tegernsee and Nordic skiing. Others come for the views and the unconventional panoramic views from the restaurant.

Switzerland

If you’re looking for a small escape in the land of plenty, then a trip to the 10 ski slopes at Kandersteg will keep you solo and happy. The number of km for the slopes is about 50 km, so there’s some nice diversity in the long runs. However, Kandersteg really only caters to intermediate and expert skiers, again, making it an escapist’s snowy dream. (There are some blue slopes, so don’t fret.) You can even get up to 3000 meters and head down the 1700 metered slope as many times san-lines as much as your heart desires. Kandersteg probably has the cheapest weekly rates, starting at around 115 Euro per week. Not too shabby, eh?