Activity Breaks :: Activitybreaks Features: Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow...

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Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow...

Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow...

Few thrills match that of flying down a snow clad mountainside on skis or a snowboard.

Once the preserve of the rich, snow sports have become ever more accessible with the advent of cheap flights and increased demand.

Skiing was originally developed as a means of transport above the snow line in winter but during the twentieth century developed primarily into an entrancing recreational sport.

From Klagenfurt to charming St. Anton, Austria has miles of tried and tested pistes. Nearly three quarters of the country is mountainous and in winter it is transformed into a picturesque wonderland of snow and ice.

France is regarded by travel writers as the best place to ski in the world. The country's vast ski infrastructure is such that if all its ski lifts were joined they would travel from Paris to Cairo, albeit an unlikely destination for snow.

If you're not sure whether skiing is your thing, why not give it a try with a ski and city break in Salzburg. The three night break includes transport to the slopes each day but also allows time to explore the historic Austrian town.

For an alternative to alpine skiing, try cross country skiing in the Italian Alps, just 55 kms from Milan/Bergamo is the little village of Schilpario, where you will get a real slice of Italy with extensive cross country and snow shoe trails.

You should be healthy before taking part in snow sports and warm up before starting each morning, as it is a relatively high risk sport. Travel insurance should be taken before travelling as injuries can occur easily.

Before heading off should buy a ski jacket, water-resistant salopettes, gloves, ski goggles or sunglasses and ski socks. Most resorts will sell these.

Ab Editor