Info Austria

Does anyone know a cute winter gateway in Europe’s Alps?

I’m planing to rent a mountain cabin/lodge somewhere in Austria, Italy or Slovenia. Would like to spend a winter holiday there. I’m looking for something in a romantic small town near ski resort (something like European Aspen ). I would like to learn how to snow-board and still enjoy local culture and people. I don;t know where to start looking… please send sugestions. Thanx!

Skiing in Lithuania

There is a lot of people who associate winter holidays with Baltic states. The number of tourists visiting them in winter is larger in comparison to other seasons due to excellent natural conditions for practicing winter sports.

The biggest of three Baltic states is Lithuania with its capital Vilnius. Rather stable winters and well-groomed slopes and good infrastructure offer great possibilities for your winter holidays.
So if you wish to have excellent skiing vacation you should consider visiting Lithuania. Not only beautiful landscapes draw tourists there again and again. Skiing and snowboarding infrastructure is excellent and suited both for professionals, as well as beginners.

But you should not expect a direct flight landing at a ski resort. Major European airlines fly only to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. Then you should move further by land. No matter if you take a bus, train or a hotel shuttle, all those means of transportation can bring you to your destination. Ski resorts are situated in about 50 miles east of the capital.

Lithuanian winter resorts can offer you lots of slopes, lifts, equipment rentals and cross-country trails. There are very good opportunities for all ski lovers, so your skiing holidays should be a success. Facilities for all kinds of skiing and snowboard as well are open for you 24 hours a day.
This allows you to indulge night skiing. The slopes are romantically lit by custom lighting system.

Lithuania itself is also worth visiting. The ski resort in Anyksciai Kalita is especially popular among tourists. For further information, please, visit www.antour.lt. It is a tourist information guide, where you can find everything you need to know about accomodation and ski resorts. Information about desirable ski region can also be found here as well. For those who want to escape from the snowbound landscapes for a change it is highly recommended to visit Vilnius. The architecture and remnants of Russian and German presence are very fascinating. If you like nightlife you can find there plenty of nightclubs and other places of entertainment.

Skiing in Russia

Cold and snow are guaranteed in Russia. The Urals and the Caucasus belong to the largest ski areas of the country. The Caucasus is one of the most snow-covered areas in the world. The tall, long mountain ranges invite all dream runners. This country also provides many other possibilities. There we encounter an entirely different, colorful and exciting world. The word “hospitality” there is of a very great importance and despite usual suspicious interest to strangers, everything is done so that every traveler can feel comfortable. Sochi belongs to the Russian Riviera. There is a Russian dachas (summer houses) paradise over there. Besides, it is the place where people can make extra money for being close to the place where the Winter Olympic Games 2014 will be held. The Alpine Skiing competitions will be held in the Caucasus not far from Krasnaja Poljana. Another feature that attracts many people from abroad is banya, Russian sauna. Every skier dreams to visit one after a good day of skiing.

Unique skiing experience for those who seek for “Skiing Russia” dream offers the Caucasus. You will be raised on the top of a mountain by a helicopter and then you are free to jump down on your skis and enjoy speed and fast moving landscape around you while skiing down.

The Ural Mountains is a very popular travel destination, where the dream of “Skiing Russia” can become true. The most popular ski area there is the Absakowo, one of the largest ski resorts in the Urals. Everyone can find what he or she likes there. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a professional, if you like slow or fast slopes, you will find it there. The total length of the slopes is 15 kilometers. Numerous ski lifts, which can bring to the ski huts on the mountain up to 3.000 people per hour, can be found everywhere. Absakowo has also a spa, which consists of two parts. So it is both a ski resort and a health and sports complex simultaneously. There you can relax after skiing, have a healing bath or go in for fitness activities.

Another ski area, one for very well equipped and trained adventurers, is Kamchatka peninsula. It is situated in the far east of the country. Kamchatka can offer slopes of volcanoes where impressive ski resorts are located. A helicopter brings a skier to the top of a mountain and the next minute he can’t hide his emotions. The slopes are not prepared, but natural. One must reach the slopes only with experienced guides and this rule must be strictly obeyed.

Thus, skiing in Russia is not mere a dream anymore. It’s for real. And which concerns accommodation there it is not a big problem no longer. There are lots of guest houses and ski huts which can become your perfect home for the period of your vacation.

Hope it helps

Winter holidays in Val di Sole