Ski Safari goes large for 2013-14 with 14 new resorts
Ski Safari welcomes the 2013-14 season with numerous exciting additions to its winter programme. With a strong team of dedicated skiers and snowboarders behind the scenes, the selection of new countries, resorts and safaris have been carefully planned to match the desires of those looking for a skiing holiday. As an accomplished North American specialist, Ski Safari is expanding closer to home by adding Austria and Italy to their existing European portfolio. Scandinavia was new last season and following its success the family resort of Tyrsil in Norway has been introduced. In keeping with the spirit of Ski Safari, the Red and Whitewater safari and the all-American ‘Classic Colorado’ safari are new additions for 2013-14.
ON THE UPWARD SLOPE – Eight resorts in Austria
As the second most popular destination for British skiers and snowboarders, Austria was an obvious choice. Ski Safari has introduced a total of 8 new resorts, from world-famous names such as St Anton and Kitzbühel to long-time British favourites like Obergurgl, Saalbach-Hinterglemm and Zell am See, to lesser known resorts like Galtür and Sölden and even city skiing from Tirol’s capital, Innsbruck. Increased accessibility to Austria with daily flights from airlines, including easyJet, British Airways, Monarch and Jet2, has allowed the desire for shorter breaks and greater flexibility to grow. Austria’s strength shines through as an affordable destination with reasonable in-resort and on-mountain prices and where the locals extend a genuine welcome towards their guests. Resorts radiate an authentic mountain atmosphere stemming back from their rural heritage, setting Austria apart from many purpose built resorts.
How much? Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com), has 4 nights at the 3* Mountain Hotel Schmittenhöhe on half board at 2000m above village of Zell am See with flights, cable car transfer and car hire starting from £559pp or a 7 night holiday at 4* Hotel Austria in Obergurgl on half board starts from £999pp with flights and transfers.
THE ITALIAN JOB – Three new resorts in Italy
The Italian resorts of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Madonna di Campiglio and Santa Cristina have been carefully chosen for the Ski Safari programme on the merits of offering great skiing matched with great style, high-end accommodation, reliable snow records, amazing scenery and great food. Located in western Trentino, Madonna di Campiglio is one of Italy’s most sought after ski resorts, offering an exceptional combination of interesting skiing and chic mountain atmosphere. The traditional resort of Santa Cristina in the Val Gardena valley, offers direct access to the famous Sella Ronda ski circuit and into the heart of the Dolomiti Superski, with over 1000km covered on one ski pass. Whilst chic Cortina d’Ampezzo, with its impressive scenery, elegant boutiques and fine dining, is also rewarded with serene pistes as the native Italians spend more time in the cafes than on the piste!
How much? Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com), has 7 nights at the 5* Cristallo Hotel Spa & Golf in Cortina d’Ampezzo on B&B, starting from £1389pp or 7 nights at the 4*+ DV Chalet Boutique Hotel & Spa in Madonna di Campiglio on B&B from £879pp or 7 nights at the ski-in, ski-out 4* Sporthotel Monte Pana in Santa Cristina on half board, starting from £1229pp. All prices include return flights and resort transfers.
FJORD FOCUS – Trysil for families
Following a successful first year in Norway last season, Ski Safari has expanded this year by adding the new family-friendly resort of Trysil. Leveraging kudos from being ‘Norway's Best Alpine Resort for Families’, amidst a country known for its family resorts, Trysil is all you could want and more from the family skiing experience. Located two hours north of Oslo, the majority of the accommodation options present ski-in ski-out convenience and the ski school is right on the doorstep, taking children from 3 years old. There are three sides of the mountain with effortless blues and flattering reds on wide open slopes, which are perfect for beginners and intermediates, who prefer taking it easy. With a long season from November through to late April, Trysil benefits from assured snow conditions and even promises a unique snow promise guarantee.
How much? Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com), has 7 nights at the 4* Radisson Blu Resort Trysil on half board from 22nd – 29th December from £3695 for a family of 4 in a deluxe room, with flights and transfers. Or at the 3* Fjellblikk self-catering apartments in January, starting from £535 pp, saving £50 pp and based on 4 sharing.
ON A SWISS ROLL – Lenzerheide and Arosa connect
Ski Safari introduced Lenzerheide to its programme last year ahead of the big news planned for this forthcoming 2013-14 season. Following years of consultation, the resorts of Lenzerheide and Arosa in the Graubunden region will be joined together by a newly installed 6-seater chair lift from the Mottahut on the Lenzerheide side bringing guests up to the cable car station. The cable car will then cover the 2km distance between the two resorts from Urdenfuerggli in Lenzerheide to Hoernli in Arosa. Already established ski resorts in their own right, the existing 70km of pistes in Arosa will be joined with the 155km of pistes in Lenzerheide, giving an overall new combined skiing area of 225km. Due to open on 14th December 2014, the new project will give skiers and boarders, familiar with either side of the mountain, a whole new alpine experience. Only an hour and a half from Zurich airport, Lenzerheide is perfect for a short break and offers some extensive off-piste and more challenging skiing. Arosa, on the other hand, is a more suitable base for beginners, intermediates and families too.
How much? Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com), has 4 nights at the £552pp on bed and breakfast basis at the 3* Hotel Kurhaus in Lenzerheide, with SWISS flights and rail/bus transfers or a 7 night holiday at the 3* Sorell Hotel Asora in Arosa on half board starts from £940pp, with SWISS flights and rail transfers.
RIDE THE POWDER HIGHWAY - New all-American Safari
This new all-American ‘Classic Colorado’ safari is the ultimate road trip adventure, bringing together three of America’s most iconic ski towns, Crested Butte, Telluride and Aspen. A hearty welcome from the locals in Crested Butte goes a long way and sets the scene for a journey back in time through the old Wild West. With flawlessly groomed pistes, Crested Butte is a sound all-round resort with a genuine local’s mountain vibe. Moving on to Telluride, which perfectly balances its former mining town heritage with everything you need from a ski resort, with incredible terrain, super light powder, stunning scenery and superb après ski. All superlatives combine together to create a superpower that few resorts can match for the last destination on the safari, Aspen. This world-famous resort is a world heritage site, offering some of America’s most luxurious accommodation in Aspen town.
How much? Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) has 14 nights including accommodation, flights and hire of an SUV from £1650pp, based on one night in a 3* in Denver, 4 nights at a 3* in Crested Butte, 5 nights in a 3* in Telluride and 4 nights in a 4* in Aspen/Snowmass.
THE SECRET’S OUT – Red and Whitewater Safari
Advanced skiers seeking out the ultimate powder experience need look no further than the less well-known Canadian resorts of Red Mountain and Whitewater. Set deep within British Columbia’s Kootenay Rockies, Ski Safari has introduced this new safari, because it offers some of the most compelling steep slopes, deep powder and diverse terrain in the world. In June this year, Red Mountain was granted permission to add a further 997 acres on Grey Mountain, increasing the total lift serviced area to 2,787 acres, which will be ready for 2013/14. Whitewater is up there with the best for its immense snowfall and exceptional terrain with around 88% of the 1200 acres billed advanced terrain. The only blott on the white landscape is that, in reality, Red and Whitewater may not be the most straightforward to reach logistically but the extra effort is worth every inch of powder!
How much? Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) has a 10 night ski safari including accommodation, flights and hire of an SUV from £1,599pp, based on 4 adults sharing a two bedroom condo at Red Robs, Red Mountain and two hotel rooms at the Prestige Lakeside Resort, Nelson.
And in other news:
- Breckenridge will be revolutionised this season, thanks to the largest terrain expansion in over a decade. The opening of Peak 6 will result in a 23% increase in terrain, creating a further 543 acres as well as an additional 143 acres of hike-to terrain and making Breckenridge the 4th biggest ski resort in Colorado.
- On selected dates in December and January, guests booking a skiing holiday to Saas Fee with Ski Safari will receive a free lift pass.
- The resort of Wengen in the Bernese Oberland has been introduced for 2013-14 and is well known for its stunning scenery, extensive intermediate skiing terrain and picture-perfect alpine village.
- The US resort of Sugarloaf will be launched for 2013-14, and the new back country expansion onto Burnt Mountain will make it New England’s largest ski area, with over 1100 acres of skiable terrain.
For all press enquiries please contact:
Lynsey Devon, Heaven Publicity
Phone: 44 (0)20 3544 1563
Mobile: 44 (0)7717 078862
@HeavenPublicity
Ski Safari
Established in 1996 Ski Safari has a passion for making every skiing holiday extraordinary, Ski Safari combines first-hand knowledge with a first-class service. Not only are Ski Safari holidays fully bespoke and fully protected, you can be sure our advice is bang up to date and based on personal experience – our dedicated team of skiers and snowboarders only sell resorts we have skied and stayed at ourselves. Free your imagination and discover the infinite world of Ski Safari with advice that ensures that you get the holiday you want. www.skisafari.com
Tags:
