Top 5 fairy-tale destinations if you want to see a real winter
In recent years a snowy winter has stopped being a given. The most demanding travellers are no longer looking for five-star accommodation and big resorts. They want guaranteed snow, a real winter and well-groomed slopes. The most beautiful winter destinations are small mountain resorts with charming wooden architecture and stunning views of snow-capped peaks. Because of climate change, however, lower-lying places no longer guarantee snow. In search of a real winter we head to the high Alps, which hide a few gems. Some choose the harsh north, where the northern lights are an extra attraction. Others fly to Japan to ski the slopes of Hokkaido. Which places will enchant us this winter? Here are five fairy-tale destinations that will take us to a dreamlike winter wonderland.
Livigno, Italy: winter without compromise
For years Livigno has been building its reputation as one of the most professional winter resorts in the Alps, and this status is confirmed by the fact that this year it hosts the Olympic snowboard and freestyle events. It has also recently joined the elite group of Alpine Ski World Cup hosts. In December the pistes of Livigno staged one of the key races of the season, the men's super-G. This distinction is no accident: it reflects the quality of the infrastructure, the reliable snow conditions (right through to May) and sports facilities that meet the requirements of international federations. Lying at 1,816 m, the small town has earned the nickname Europe's "Little Tibet" because of its unique microclimate and terrain. Livigno combines the fairy-tale feel of a small Alpine town with modern infrastructure, all seasoned with refined Italian style and a love of good fun and excellent food. Add the famous Italian "dolce vita", savouring simple things without hurrying in a resort true to its local culture and to traditions handed down from generation to generation, and you have the recipe for the perfect winter holiday. Fashion fans will find exclusive boutiques in the heart of the town, with the latest collections from top brands in their windows. After a full day of activity, the modern Aquagranda water park is ideal for recovery. All this makes Livigno a unique place on the map of the Alps, where not only groups of friends and couples but also families with children will find something for themselves.
Chamonix, France: winter in the shadow of a legend
Set at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is one of the most iconic winter sports resorts in the world. It was here, in 1924, that the first Winter Olympic Games were held. From the very beginning, skiing and mountaineering developed here in direct contact with the power of the mountains, which still sets the limits of human ability today. Six separate ski areas and about 170 km of pistes make Chamonix a byword for sporting challenge. The magnet for advanced skiers is the legendary Vallée Blanche, a 20-kilometre descent from the Aiguille du Midi across a glacier full of crevasses and seracs (a guide is required). Chamonix is not a typical ski resort: these are wild, majestic mountains that draw climbers from all over the world, while the town keeps the character of a mountain village with a rich heritage and the unique atmosphere of the French Alps.
Davos, Switzerland: winter, the luxury version
Davos is a byword for classic Swiss luxury and prestige. The highest town in Europe (1,560 m) has for decades attracted the elite of business, politics and culture, and the annual World Economic Forum it hosts strengthens its global image. The Davos-Klosters ski area offers as much as 269 km of downhill pistes spread over several mountains, excellent infrastructure and a wide range of entertainment, from exclusive restaurants and boutiques to a casino and lively après-ski. It is a winter destination for those looking for glamour, energy and top-level skiing.
Rovaniemi, Finland: winter at the end of the world
Unlike the Alpine resorts, in Rovaniemi skiing (although possible on Ounasvaara hill) takes a back seat to unique experiences (so-called experiential travel). The capital of Finnish Lapland is for those looking for winter in its harshest and most symbolic form. The nearby Arctic Circle, the Arctic silence and the fairy-tale landscape create an atmosphere that cannot be faked. The main attraction is the official Santa Claus Village, with the Arctic Circle line and a post office that receives letters from all over the world. This is the land of the northern lights, dog-sled trips and unique experiences such as ice floating (floating in a frozen lake in special survival suits). It is the ideal destination for anyone who wants to see winter in its original, northern form.
Niseko, Japan: winter, the exotic version
On the Japanese island of Hokkaido, winter takes on a completely different dimension. Niseko is the capital of so-called "Japow", the lightest and fluffiest snow in the world, of which an average of 590 cm falls here every year. It is a place for connoisseurs who want to combine powder skiing with the exotic. Night skiing is a unique experience here: the pistes are perfectly floodlit, and a run through birch forest with views of the Yōtei stratovolcano (known as the "Fuji of Hokkaido") is almost mystical. After a day on the slopes, skiing gives way to relaxing in traditional onsen hot springs and enjoying Japanese food in a traditional setting. It is the choice for those who want to experience winter in its exotic version. One of a kind.
Each of these places offers its own take on the winter experience and has its own unique atmosphere: from Italian luxury immersed in local character, through prestige and business energy or the stark beauty of the north, to sporting challenges in an exotic setting with relaxation in onsen hot springs.