Ski Your Way Around The World

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With the opposite seasons to the northern hemisphere, you’re swapping snow for sand in Australia, and sunning yourself on the beach with a BBQ instead of wrapping up in a blanket with a roast dinner and hot chocolate. If you simply can’t spend December to February without feeling the chill of sub zero temperatures, get yourself to one or all of these fantastic winter wonderlands and ski your way around the world. Because Christmas and New Year isn’t really supposed to be under blistering heat, is it?

Hakuba, Japan

There are plenty of ski resorts in the mountains of Japan, but not many as brilliant as Hakuba. With over 100 lifts, it is one of the biggest skiing areas in the country, and offers terrain for beginners and experts. Parks include Happo, which is king of Hakuba with the biggest area, and Highland, which is better for beginners. Temperatures are winter-like, but rarely get below -5 degrees Celsius, so it’s really rather pleasant. Finally – the snow, which Japan sees 10 metres of per season, compared to four-six in Europe and three metres in New Zealand in peak season.

Accommodation in Hakuba caters for all, from budget dorms to hotels and spacious, snow-capped chalets. Snowbeds B&B is your cheapest option, with seven nights accommodation, return coach transfers from Narita Airport and a six-day lift pass for ¥73,300 ($728AUD). You can also add lessons and a snow monkey tour for an additional cost. Direct flights to Narita Airport are available from Sydney.

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Whistler, Canada

Two hours’ drive north from Vancouver along the picturesque Sea to Sky Highway is Whistler, a skier’s paradise with over 8,000 acres of snowy slopes, bowls and glaciers with powder-soft snow. Set in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, winter is prime time to visit to ski or board Blackcomb, Franz’s Run and Grand Finale. For uninterrupted views, you can’t beat the peak of Climax or Couloir Extreme.

Made for holidays in the snow, Whistler Village is perfect for relaxing before and after you take to the slopes. Sitting at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, there are opportunities to shop, explore, eat and even take in an open-air concert. As it pulls so many people in, there is an abundance of accommodation from central hotels to private chalets, some with ski-in/ski-out access. Book by 21st January 2015 and receive up to 35% off your stay and ski package. Flights to Vancouver are available from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne with a stop in L.A.

Zakopane, Poland

January is the best time for skiing conditions in Zakopane, but to avoid the crowds of children on school holidays, bring your skis at the end of February or throughout March. Situated at the foothills of the grand Tatra Mountains in the deep south of Poland, Zakopane is your base for winter fun and adventure. The Tatras have the honour of being Poland’s only alpine-like mountains, covering an area of 785km and reaching 2654m at their highest point.

The main slopes include Nosal for beginners, Szymoszkowa for intermediate, and Kasprowy Wierch for advanced skiers. If you’re a first timer, you can rent skis, boots and poles for a three-hour basic course to learn how to stop, turn and use a tow lift, or get on board a two – six-day course including equipment, lessons, lift passes and transfers. There are also snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, husky rides and snowshoe walks, if you fancy taking it easy. Those on a budget will love the quaint hostels in Zakopane, catering to those that want to get to know fellow travellers with comfortable rooms, Wi-Fi, and communal rooms available. Flights from Sydney to Krakow include stops in Dubai and Frankfurt.

Images courtesy of Mike Berger, Eric Crane, Snowbeds Travel and Jonathan White.

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