With a vibrant culture, gourmet delights, and awe-inspiring landscapes, Europe is worthy of your bucket list all year round.
But for those of us in Australia, a mountain winter in Europe truly is an experience like no other.
A mountain winter in Europe isn’t just a ski holiday – it’s an experience: warm, crackling fireplaces in log cabins, snowflakes dancing from the sky and blanketing the streets, beautiful powders for skiing, and chalets aplenty where you and your loved ones can warm up with crepes and a mug of hot chocolate.
Of the hundreds of reasons a European mountain winter should be on your bucket list, we’ve narrowed it down to our top eight…
8. The most authentic Alpine experience they’ll ever have
Club Med Valmorel Chalets
As the creators of ski and ski culture, a European mountain winter is as authentic as you can possibly get.
From the chalet décor and atmosphere to the cobblestone streets, snow holidays in Europe are the perfect place to experience mountain art de vivre – that is, the mountain lifestyle – at its finest.
7. THE TRUE MAGIC OF A white Christmas
Christmas morning in Club Med Peisey-Vallandry
A dream for almost all Australians since childhood, Europe is the perfect place to have a white Christmas.
With warm, cozy log fires, fir trees in every chalet, holiday lights adorning the streets and a traditional French Christmas Eve dinner of oysters and champagne, the holiday season in Europe holds a certain charm that can’t be replicated.
6. Come for the snow, stay for the sun
The European Alps are plentiful in snow, but what’s less common knowledge is that the sun is just as spectacular.
Against the backdrop of beautiful white powder, the mountain sky is vibrant with bright blue hues and the sunbeams radiate into one’s very soul.
And if your clients are looking to catch some Instagram-worthy sunrises and sunsets, the ski instructors from the Ecole du Ski Francais (French Ski Academy) know both the best slopes to bask in the morning rays and the perfect pistes for a spectacular sunset.
5. Something for everyone
Snow Shoeing in Chamonix
Beginner? Europe boasts some of the best ski and snowboard instructors in the world, including the renowned French Ski Academy, as well as the National Italian and Swiss ski academies.
For experts, with dozens of snowparks and over 300 black diamond runs, they will have endless slopes to conquer.
Paragliding in Valmorel –by @DanAvilaPhotography
And, for those who prefer, the diversity of the European winter means there is literally something for everyone.
Europe’s mountain winters boast alpine skiing, snowshoe walks, snowboarding, Nordic walking, snow scooters, paragliding, snowmobiles, dog sledding, cross-country skiing and snow gardens for children…need we say more?
4. It’s all about the “après ski”
Club Med Val d’Isere- 5 tridents luxury space
As the name suggests, Europeans invented “après ski” – and it’s no secret that they do it better than any other country in the world. Europe’s après ski scene is nothing short of extraordinary: sipping a coffee or mulled wine on a sun terrace, snacking on crepes, soaking in a steaming outdoor pool with a view of the magnificent Mont Blanc in the distance… Unique “photo moments” to collect.
3. THE Taste OF THE TRUE MOUNTAIN GASTRONOMY – INCLUDING LOTS OF CHEESE!
Tartiflette: a must try baked dish of potatoes and cheese – carb alert!
As far as cheese is concerned, it’s impossible to top the French and Italians. Served cold with crackers or melted into fondue, there are endless ways to savour one of Europe’s most indulgent treats.
For something unique, raclette – a Swiss and French cheese dish – involves heating cheese over a grill then drizzling the melted cheese over bread and a selection of dried meats.
Tartiflette, another traditional French dish, is made by combining potatoes, onions, and bacon with melted cheese in the oven for a perfect winter dish.
Charcuterie and red wine: what else?
Plus many specialty restaurants, like the Trattoria in the Club Med Pragelato Via Lattea Resort, have a special gastronomy shop so you can bring the best of Europe back home.
2. Breathtaking scenery at every turn
Club Med Valmorel, French Alps
With towering snow-capped mountains, beautiful fir trees, pristine white powders and the twinkling lights of skiing villages with snowy roofs, Europe’s mountains are awe-inspiring at every turn.
But don’t take our word for it – these amazing images showcase just how photogenic the Alps truly are.
Club Med Pragelato Via Lattea, Italian Alps
1. World-class skiing and snowboarding
La Plagne – Paradiski ski domain
Europe isn’t just home to amazing cuisine and beautiful landscapes – it’s home to some of the world’s most extensive and diverse ski domains.
Val Thorens, Europe’s highest Snow Resort, offers access to “les 3 Vallees”, the world’s largest ski area, home to over 600km of amazing pistes for skiing and snowboarding. The Via Lattea or ‘Milky Way’ in Italian, Europe’s second largest ski domain, boasts a vast 400km of slopes and 42 black diamond runs across six Italian snowparks – and includes an Olympic downhill. Chamonix Mont-Blanc in France is often touted as the birthplace of alpine skiing and is home to one of the world’s highest slopes at over 3000m in altitude. For cross-country skiers, Paradiski in France has over 425km of ski runs including 44km of cross-country skiing and is accessible through La Plagne or Peisey-Vallandry villages.
In other words, if you’re looking for world-class, you’ll find more than 4,500km worth in the European Alps.
Have your client tick a European mountain winter off their bucket list! Club Med is the absolute expert of outstanding and hassle free Ski Holidays in Europe with 23 resorts in France, Italy and Switzerland.
Book your clients’ stay before 22 June and save them up to 30% off Club Med Snow Resorts .
All information on our brand new Travel agent portal: www.clubmedta.com.au
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