Tyrolean

VAL THORENS, FRANCE
At 2,300m Val Thorens is the hightest resort in Europe (slopes 1,260m-3,230m) – and with 99 percent of its ski area above 2,000m, the white stuff is guaranteed.  It’s part of the vast 600km Three Valleys area, but Val Thorens offers skiing for all levels across a 150km pistes.  The majority of runs are intermediate blues and reds; there is also some fantastic off-piste to be found. The powder is reliably good here, too. Try the famed Lac du Lou, 1,400m of vertical easily accessed from the Cime de Caron.

Austria is well-known as a skiing destination but not a lot is known about the ski resort of Ischgl in tyrol.  Tyrol is a lovely mountainous are in the western parts of Austria near the Alps and bordering with Italy, Germany and Switzerland.  In the spring and summer months it offers an excellent landscape for hiking and mountain biking.  But come winter, the area is changed, drawing a different set of trill seekers (the snow worshipers).

Ischgl is also known for its free open air concerts, which have featured headline acts like Elton John, Lionel Richie, Rod Stewart and Tina Turner; attracting over 20, 000 people. The concerts are staged as part of its opening weekends late November, so you never know who you will see from one season to the next.