Switzerland

While some ski resorts in the Alps have to wait for the peak of the winter season to offer the good white stuff others are already in full swing.  So if you want to take an early ski break this winter, why wait when you can be on the pistes  before the madness of the height of the season.  We have found five resorts located above 2000m that have what you want for an early ski break.

HOTEL FARINET, VERBIER SWITZERLAND
Despite its exclusive reputation and sky-high prices, Verbier is still one of Switzerland’s most animated resorts.  Although it will never be cheap, these days it’s no longer all about paying 200CHF for bottles of vodka in over-rated nightclubs.  The main après-ski focus is at Hotel Farinent in a prime location close to the lifts.

I you are one of those that are willing to pay for an holiday experience where the cost is not an issue then we have found five that you would be interested in. Whatever you are interested in sun, snow or adrenaline rush adventure – with a bit of glamping. The locations include the Caribbean, Europe the southern hemisphere South Africa and New Zealand - as far as the South Pole.

Ski in Style Gstaad, Switzerland
For the holidaymaker looking for discretion, nothing quite beats dining in a vault once used to stash Swiss wealth during the Second World War.  And that’s exactly what guests can do at the splendid Gstaad Palace, nestled in the Alps, just a short drive from the country’s capital city, Bern.

Perched on the side of a hill above the village of Gstaad, the grand hotel belonging to the Scherz family celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.  The building is steep in tradition, although one of the more recent additions to the hotel is the large spa complex, with a steam bath flotation pool.  Guest are encouraged to relax in robes in a warmly lit room, while looking out across the heated outdoor plunge pool to the slopes, where skiers and snowboards can enjoy 250km of pristine pistes.
 

Street Luge
Presumably invented by lazy skaters who couldn’t be bothered to stand up, the extreme sport of street luge involves lying prostrate on a giant skateboard and hurtling, feet first, down a road at pant-wetting speeds.  Lugers can reach speeds above the ground, that feels even faster than it sounds.

With no hint of machine power in sight, lugers are sent crashing downhill by the force of gravity alone.  You steer around bends by leaning into them and brake by using your feet.  The fact that lugers must wear full motorcycle leathers and a crash helmet indicates that, yes, this pursuit isn’t without risk.  Street luging is popular in the States, Australia, Switzerland and Germany and UK.

Paragliding

The need to pick between a ski and spa break is slowly being removed as more ski resorts are mixing the best of both worlds.  Below we have highlighted places where you can double up your seasonal skiing trip to destination that have invested time and money to create the ultimate winter breaks. These spas utilise state-of-the-art technology to cure injuries and make you feel up to face the rest of the year.

Cheval Blanc, France
Cheval Blanc is a four-star luxury hotel in the heart of the Alpine Garden. It is the first hotel to feature a Givenchy Spa Des Neiges (Snow Spa).  Covering nearly 600 sq meters, the treatment centre offers specialised pre- and après-ski  treatments, intended to prepare and relax muscles in order to enjoy the snow and the skiing.
 

For this short break idea we have collated a list of marathon events around the world form the for north to the deep south with a mix of weather conditions.  This list offers a world of inspiring locations famous for their long distance races and their breathtaking attractions.

This short break idea takes you to different places around the world where worshippers of white water rafting make their pilgrimage every year. These are the Colorado River USA; Inn River, Switzerland; Apurimac River, Peru; çoruh River, Turkey and Tummel & Tay Rivers Scotland.

First it’s the çoruh River in the north eastern part of Turkey. The çoruh River offers a roller-coaster of rapids coming down from the Kaçkar Mountains. A good time to go is in May – June when the water levels are at their highest and the surroundings hills are a light with beautiful flowers.

The adventure allows time for you to stop in remote villages to meet and chat with the locals. If you are upto it you can trek to the Byzantine castles, you can also sleep in riverside tents to see the stars each night.