Mountain fever

All set to hit the slopes, but put off by high temperatures and a distinct lack of snow in some resorts? As Tina Nielsen discovers, there are plenty of options even for those who can’t wait

Powder lovers looking for thigh-high snow these days need to head across the Atlantic. “At the moment the best snow is found on the west coast of North America and in the Rocky Mountains in Canada,” says Christine Ottery of Snow magazine.

In Canada, go to Lake Louise, Jasper in the Alberta Rockies or Whistler, which has already had record-breaking snowfall this season. It has also been voted the number one ski resort by the Association of Independent Tour Operators and is sure to have an extra buzz about it, as it is getting ready to host the 2010 Winter Olympics.

If you want somewhere closer to home, the key is to aim high. “Because it has been so mild this winter, you need to go high to get good snow,” says Betony Garner of the Ski Club of Great Britian. “Resorts such as Zermatt in Switzerland, Val Thorens in France and Cervinia in Italy are all great at the moment.” She adds that, although impossible to predict, most European skiing destinations tend to catch up around February, by which time all should have lots of snow.

Perhaps surprisingly, Japan offers powder hunters an excellent and unusual skiing experience with over 700 winter resorts, more than any country. It also has one of the highest average snowfalls in the world and 75 per cent of its land is mountainous. As Ottery says: “Japan always has amazing snow conditions and there is a huge skiing scene–it is very popular.”

Japanese resorts offer great skiing with the added advantage of the chance to immerse yourself in a different culture. They are dotted with Onsen–or hot baths–where apres ski consists of glasses of sake and bottles of Kirin and a good a soak in often healing waters from hot springs.

While UK visitors remain loyal to French resorts such as Val d’Isere, Meribel and Courchevel, Switzerland is another great alternative. It has had some of the best snow in Europe and with its chocolate box architecture offers stunning scenery. Stay in the luxurious Tschuggen Grand Hotel in little-known Arosa and enjoy dazzling panoramic views of the resort. The five-star hotel boasts 133 rooms, four restaurants and a brand-new, spectacular spa.

Regardless of where you hit the slopes, Garner emphasises the importance of preparation for prospective skiers: “ Although all resorts should have good beginner slopes, some are better than others,” she says. “In France, Alpe d’huex is great for those new to skiing and Canada’s Big White is equally suitable for beginners.” At the other end of the spectrum, Zermatt in Switzerland and St. Anton in Austria are both ideal destinations for advanced skiers with lots of opportunities for off-piste skiing.

In fact, skiing has always catered well for adrenaline-junkies and few activities can be more thrilling (or expensive) than heli-skiing—where skiers are taken by a helicopter to a mountain peak and left there to make their own way down the unknown slopes. Anyone for the Himalayas?