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If you get the chance on your next ski holiday to Chamonix or Courchevel (or any number of resorts) and want to wander off track, then it may suit you best to try one of these wacky winter getaways. Now, these are not your traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride or ever-fun snow tubing. No, they are very real pursuits of the half-wits of the slopes who believe that regular snow pursuits just don’t provide the adrenaline rush that it used to. Be sure to either be ready to die, ready to get very hurt or, if lucky, survive to tell about these next tomfoolery exploits.

Sailing on the Ice

There are plenty of places in Europe where beautiful mountain lakes freeze over and fill to the brim with ice. An alternative to ice skating or ice fishing or anything sane for that matter is ice sailing. This involves forming a sail on a sled or other bladed contraction to go sailing (really flying) across the frozen ice and tundra. If you’re  a seasoned sailor, then ice sailing may come a bit more naturally to you; if not, then be prepared to zoom till you either collide with something or flip ass-over-kettle. By the way, there’s no real method to stopping!

Play Like a Polar Bear

There is a club of fellas and ladies who gather together to take a dip in freezing water. The Polar Bear Club has been around for several decades and baptises wannabe members by making them swim in below freezing water (well, it sure feels below freezing). The not-yet iced-over water makes a great escape from a day of turmoil and offers you to turn your body blue. The ice-shock to the body is said to be a cure-all for most any ailment. You won’t be playing as much as running for the nearest place to get warm.

Shovel Skiing

There was a group of workers who needed to get down from a day of labour from atop the piste when the lifts were non-functioning. One way they did it, in fact, was by riding their snow shovels down the slope. The fun caught on and today there are shovel sledding races all over the world, with dedicated shovel-athletes competing for the top prize—clearing the snow from the patio decks! (Just kidding). The best shovel skiers have designed their own shovels for the events, and often come up with some crazy designs. As long as you can shovel with it, you can ski downhill with it in competition.

Bike Skiing

It’s not as far fetched as the title would have you believe. There are bikes out there, for real, designed to go down and across snow. There’s even an association of riders who mount their favourite snow bikes and head out on a cold day. At any rate, ski bikes can have a back wheel and a front ski blade or a blade on the front and the back. Riders can pedal around or glide downhill and use the some mechanics as skiing to turn, stop and throw snow at passer-bys.

Blade Runner

This is not about the famous science fiction movie or novel. This is probably one of the most dangerous skiing pursuits tried today. Blade runners simply jump out of a plane and head down a course of tall pylons. The person who makes it through by touching less and staying hovered above the ground usually wins. There are measurements about how far or below the torso must be to the “blades” or pylons and participants often jump out of the plan several thousand feet above the ski slope before aiming perfectly downhill. This sport is not for the inexperienced, that is for sure.

I’m not going to sit here and pretend to know what you’re interested in doing with your ski holiday. Just as much as the next guy (or not), you would rather rub elbows with international crowds or ski down crazy slopes or snowboard in amazing snowparks or simply get wasted every night or find solitary in a reclusive cabin. To each there own and may each find there own version of happiness or something like that. At any rate, what I can do for you today is tell you two reasons to visit one or more of these next five resorts. Consider this a free highlight of what a popular place has to offer you.

Italy:

Cortina d’Ampezzo or Cortina as it is often abridged is a good place to come to if you like to avoid the applesauce feeling in your legs from skiing or boarding all day and rather confront local coffee shops, chocolate shops and fine dining. It’s more about sunny alpine days and less about getting sweating (no glistening) on the inclines.
Hypocritically, however, Cortina is the bomb (that’s a good thing) when it comes to skiing. The whole of the Dolomiti region is accessible by the affordable Dolmiti Superskipass, with over 500-some lifts in the Italian Alps.

France:

Chamonix in France used to be a farming community—can you imagine looking up at those Alps (Mt Blanc) and staying in the pastures? Didn’t last long. Today, Chamonix is one of the topmost adventure skiing areas in Europe. There is always snow, super-long runs, cliffs, chutes, headwalls and hundreds of slopes.
Oh, I have to give you another reason. There are other things to do like tobogganing, paragliding, dog sled rids, sleigh trips and things a-flurry for the whole fam.

Switzerland:

Switzerland and the Jungfrau skiing region houses some of the most common mountain peaks in the Alps. From the Jungfrau and the Eiger to the Schiltohorn. Try resorts Grindelwald, Wengen, Interlaken and Murren. ’nuff said.
The town is historic, picturesque and full of history. If you’re the camera-happy-clicker-person of the group, then bring extra memory cards for the scenes at sunrise and sunset. The mountains tend to glow a purple hue come nightfall.

Austria:

It’s time to get your snowboarding on with a ski holiday trip to Zell Am See Kaprun. There’s a boarder park up on the glacier with half-pipe, jumps, slides and boxens.
This is also a place to try the 20 km of skate or 20 km of cross-country skiing. If you like snow but prefer booty-down style, then try sledding, sleigh rides, snow tubing or hanging out at one of the 60 restaurants, 20 pubs or 3+ discos.

Germany:

Brauneck-Wegscheid in Germany makes my list because I like the options to try other snow-related pursuits. In addition to late night skiing and a snowboarding fun park, you can hike for over 30-km on marked trails.
And, secondly, there are over 100 cross-country and skating tracks for those who like pain with their pleasure. There are purportedly some nice views of the surrounding mountains and not a lot of crowds in your way should you choose to go backcountry.

Europe is probably the world’s best retreat if getting down right silly for your ski holiday tops your To-Do list. Not only does Europe house some of the world’s longest ski runs, it also boasts several hundred large and small resorts that cater to everyone from nudist to purist, to wackos and hippies. I’ve compiled a list here to bring you some of the brainless, mindless and thoughtless things you might want to do this ski season. Not all are crazy but some are downright boneheaded and irrationally reckless—if this sounds like you, I invite you to read on you witless warrior.

Skiing Downhill, Fast:

If you want to try your hands at one of Europe’s steepest slopes, then you don’t have to look much farther than Austria, Mayrhofen(Zillertal) to be exact. The Harakiki slope angles at almost 80% or 40º, which creates enough speed to make even the slightest turns dangerous and mind boggling. Though there are some longer slopes for sure, Harakiki makes you feel like gravity has let go and human-powered flight on skis is possible.

Skiing Nude, Frozen:

If you’ve ever thought of disrobing just for the sake of it while on the slope, you’re not the only one. In fact, there’s a cross-country ski route in Austria—Obertaun (Obertauern) to be exact—where nude skiers are welcomed and invited to ski (sticking to the route) while in the buff. There are more resorts where skiing in your birthday suit suits the local authorities, but I’ll have more on that in my upcoming blogs. If you don’t mind snowburns, sunburns and shriveled (very tender) tissues to be showed off, then Obertauern, Austria, should make your dreams of “in the buff,” “bare,” or “buck-naked” come true.

Skiing Gambler, Broke:

If you like to gamble away little Susie’s college fund, then you should stay away from Les 2 Alpes in France this January (10th – 17th). It’s the first of many annual Poker Week celebrations where you can come, put your best Poker Face on, bluff like hell and either win buckets of Euros (drug dealers currency of choice over the flailing dollar these days) or go home bankrupt. Just make sure to pay your bills back home, pre-pay for the hotel room and little Susie’s ski lessons and let the gambling begin. Lay your best hand down for the best Poker Party this winter in Europe.

Skiing Night, Lost:

It’s not likely you’ll get lost if you try night skiing in Europe this year. There are loads of ski resorts that flick on the power to illuminate the slopes for all you night owls. Though the slopes might be frozen or even packed down from day skiers, night skiing has its advantages. Places like the Dolomiti Superski area in Italy, Saint Bernard in Switzerland and Maribor in Slovenia all gloat about their fantastic night skiing and venues. Before hitting the sack, be sure to hit the slopes on your next ski holiday. I find that though the slopes are not as well groomed, they are way less crowded and seemingly more dangerous. An easy intermediate suddenly becomes a treacherous black after the sun sets.

For summer 2009, Méribel offered Segway circuits to its visitor for the first time. Different activities using these ”standing scooters“ were proposed from initiation courses (5€ for about10minutes) to discovery guided tours (40€/person for 2 hours in groups of 5). These vehicles’ speed is limited to 5-6 km/h, which is the average human walk speed.

Since Méribel always keeps in mind the environment when developing activities for its visitors, Segway tours is a very suitable choice. These allow safe guided “walks“ that respect the calm and quietness of the nature, and are not disturbing for walkers and other users of the paths.

Méribel is studying the possibility to make its Segway fleet available for winter activities as well. Fiss, in Austria, started last year with this winter discipline, but Méribel would be the first French ski resort to offer it. To see what it would look like, here’s a video prepared by Fiss:

While it definitely would be interesting to try riding a Segway, I somehow feel it shouldn’t be considered as a “discipline“. I fail to see what’s the added value of using a Segway at 5-6 km/h to discover the natural beauties of a region, compared to a good old promenade on foot on the paths. More expensive, less physical, more attention put to going around and less on what’s going on around…

What do you think?

A great way to discover Switzerland’s magnificent panoramas is get on a train and, not surprisingly, Switzerland is the European country with the most mountain railway routes. Here are (in my opinion) the most spectacular ones:

Bernina Express

Route: Chur/Davos/St. Moritz - Berninapass - Poschiavo - Tirano
The Rhaetian railway section called the Bernina Express is truly a technical marvel, offering countless breathtaking views. It will take you 2 ½ hours to complete the 145-km trip, which will take you from Davos all the way to Lugano during summertime.
Where the journey takes you: across viaducts, through tunnels and the Berninapass (2,253m), in Davos, Saint Moritz, Graubünden and Tirano, in the Poschiavo valley and past mountain torrents.

GoldenPass Panoramic

Route: Lucerne - Montreux
This 5-hour mountain train trip allows its passengers to see very different aspects of Switzerland: the «Swiss Riviera» in Montreux, with its palm trees that give an almost Mediterranean feel, the alpine black fir tree forests and of course, lots of green pastures.
Where the journey takes you: In Lucerne, Zweisimmen, Interlaken, Gstaad, Meiringen and Montreux, over the Brünig Pass, in the Lake Geneva tunnel, in the Simmen Valley and by many lakes

The Glacier Express

Route: Zermatt - Davos/St. Moritz
You can take the Glacier Express from St. Moritz of from Zermatt, the trip between both will take you about 7 ½ hours. During that time, you get to admire forests, pastures, and streams as well as mountain valleys and peaks.
Where the journey takes you: over 291 bridges, in 91 tunnels, and in 7 valleys. In Davos, St.Moritz, Chur, the Rhine gorge, Andermatt, Brig, the Oberalp pass (2,033m), the Canton Valais, the Matterhorn, and Zermatt.

For any of those journeys, reservations are essential. Train tickets and information on the different routes offered is found on MySwitzerland.com/rail.

Already missing snow? Already planning your next winter’s snowboard or ski holidays? Want to try something new? Then plan on trying the Spanish slopes!

If classic European ski destinations in France, Austria and Switzerland have nothing to envy to the Spanish resorts, the latter steadily grow in popularity, and for a reason! Spanish destinations are slowly imposing themselves because offering quality slopes and trails, facilities, snowmaking equipment, ski schools, winter sports activities, accommodation and of course excellent food, all at a fair price.

Here are my favourite Spanish resorts:

The Baquiera Beret Ski Resort

The Baquiera Beret resort is located in the Lleida Pyrenees in a beautiful valley. It is, in my opinion, the most complete Spanish resort. In offers installations suited for all, families, groups, boarders, etc. and the accommodation offer is diversified. It is divided in 3 areas: Beret, Baqueira, and Bonaiqua, all with their respective characteristics and a network of modern installations and carefully maintained pistes. If you plan to discover the fine Spanish cuisine, or Basque, or Catalan for that matter, you also find what you are looking for here, but expect to pay a bit more than in other smaller and less busy resorts. The apres-ski activity offer is endless: ice palaces, thermal baths, museums, cultural visits, cinema, golf, horse rides, bars and discos, etc. Oh, and it’s a great place to go celebrity spotting!
- Total skiable area : 111 kms
- Resort altitude : Min: 1500 m / Max: 2510 m
- Green runs : 4
- Blue runs : 36
- Red runs : 26
- Black runs : 6

The Formigal Ski Resort

Formigal is an ultra-modern and stylishly purpose-built ski resort in the Pyrenees. Ideal for the beginner and the expert skier alike, the immaculately groomed pistes, with unsurpassable levels of safety and comfort, are equipped with a high-capacity lift system and a comfortable hands-free lift passes system. Snowboarders have a newly built bordercross area and a snowpark all to themselves. From the adrenalin-charged experience of driving a dog-sled or skidoo to enjoying a drink on the panoramic sun-deck, there is something for everyone in Formigal.
- Total skiable area : 105 kms
- Resort altitude : Min: 1510 m / Max: 2200 m
- Green runs : 6
- Blue runs : 17
- Red runs : 29
- Black runs : 28

The Panticosa Ski Resort

A hidden gem of the Pyrenees, Panticosa presents the unspoilt harmony of the traditional mountain architecture of the village itself, which gives an air of grandeur and history to the valley. A five-minute cable car ride from the heart of this peaceful setting at 1,160 metres to an altitude of 1,900 metres reveals a jealously guarded secret: a modern ski-station equipped with the latest technological advances. Panticosa is proud of its facilities and to avoid saturation of the ski-station there is a limit of 3,500 visitors per day. The on-piste facilities include a nursery and a pizza restaurant with panoramic views of the slopes, bar, cafeteria, ski-hire shop and a boutique with the latest in skiwear design.
- Total skiable area : 34 kms
- Resort altitude : Min: 1500 m / Max: 2200 m
- Green runs : 4
- Blue runs : 14
- Red runs : 16
- Black runs : 4

The Sierra Nevada Ski Resort

Right by the Mediterranean sea is one of Europe’s highest resorts: Sierra Nevada. It has a typically long season, traditionally opening at the end of November running through to the end of April or even into the first week of May. The ski terrain is majestically overlooked by the Veleta glacier, Spain’s third highest. The ski resort of Sierra Nevada offers its visitors a wide and ever expanding range of facilities as well as a ski terrain to suit skiers and boarders of all standards. Child facilities comprise activities such as ski biking, inner tubing, ice skating and the new “Roller-Sled”.
- Total skiable area : 91 kms
- Resort Altitude : Min: 2100 m / Max: 3300 m
- Green runs : 11
- Blue runs : 35
- Red runs : 36
- Black runs : 5