Maybe I am cynical, but these days raising money for charity is hard.Once upon a time (when you were a little school kid) all you had to do was put on a sticky label with a number on it, run around a field and all your friends would sponsor you 10p a lap. But this has all changed. People expect more in return. No longer is just the act of jumping out of a plane seen as a feat of utter lunacy that deserves significant charitable credit – instead you have to either be a celebrity, really push the boundaries or do something extraordinary.

To make some serious money it seems that you need to run 5 day mega marathons around the Sahara desert (as one of the Crystal team did recently) or do many mini events leading up to the main event. Bake sales, charity quizzes and bring and buy events are all great ways of helping bolster the minimum donations required. People want you to really work hard for their donations these days.

DSUK

One of the charities closest to our hearts at Crystal, is Disability Snowsports UK (DSUK). If you have been on a ski holiday with Crystal over the last few years, there is a good chance you may have been persuaded to part with a few pennies or Euros, for some madcap antics from our resort teams to help out this awesome charity.

DSUK’s tagline is ‘Together we can make skiing accessible to everyone!’  They work to make sure that anyone with a disability, may it be learning, sensory or physical, can ski or snowboard alongside other people. Welcoming anyone of any levels of skiing and fitness, they cater from complete novices all the way to experienced Armed Forces men and women.

Over the last few years we have seen our partnership grow phenomenally. Since 2009, Crystal have helped raise over £120,000 (and that’s before we count the pot raised over last winter) via a number of different events for DSUK. Our overseas team have used pub quizzes, head shaving and just the gift of the gab to help squeeze a few extra donations – and one of the best ways to donate is via lift pass deposits.

Crystal Ski also helped host 4 adaptive activity skiing weeks all across Europe over the 2013/14 winter season. Back in the UK, DSUK regularly hold special events – Santa Runs, the 5 peaks challenge and the upcoming 666 Skiathon. For the more adventurous there are also a number of pretty ambitious events worldwide including a Kilimanjaro trek.

The Skiathon

The event I want to talk about here is the 666 Skiathon. Now in its fifth year, teams of six skiers or boarders head to one of six indoor ski slopes and attempt (as a team) to complete 666 runs in six hours.

Let’s break this down into numbers.

666 runs between 6 people means 111 runs each.
111 runs in 6 hours means 18.5 runs per hour.
18.5 runs per hour means one run every 3.24 minutes.

This in itself as a purely downhill event would be a pretty hard challenge. But let’s be honest… Indoor ski slopes are not renowned for their high speed 6 man chairlifts. In reality – especially for snowboarders like me – the real challenge is the 111 ascents on a button lift. So that means this is a pretty full on day whatever your ski ability.

I competed 2 years ago (I had to sit last year out due to a torn ACL) at Milton Keynes SNO!Zone and there were plenty of opportunities to ‘earn’ extra runs by partaking in mini competitions and games along the way. Also competing that day was a team from the RAF and the British Disabled Ski Team (BDST); both teams beat us. Colin Jackson – who wasn’t at the time a very good skier, but is now much improved – joined our team for a bit to help rack up the runs. I even had a chance to test out a sit-ski (the highlight of my day).

With this in mind, not every team completes the 666 runs (we missed by about 30) but they sure have fun trying, and raise a shed load of cash for a really worthwhile charity whilst doing it.

This year I am back and raring to compete hard. The theme is superheroes. Our team is made up of members of the Crystal Product and Sales departments. We are already raising money.

If you fancy getting a team together to challenge us and yourselves then check out the DSUK website for more info on how to get involved. Alternatively, why not donate to Team Marvel-lous here?

Check out this video of last year’s skiathon: DSUK Skiathon 2012

The post ’666 The number of the piste’ – DSUK Skiathon appeared first on Ski-buzz.

Here, to dispel the myths and inform expectations, is our guide to ski and snowboard holidays for beginners.

What’s involved in a ski holiday?

Winter sports holidays are all about having a fantastic time, surrounded by incredible scenery. A lot of it is about the skiing and the boarding, being out on the slopes all day and making the most of amazing snow conditions. As a beginner, you’ll want to take lessons and as you progress, you’ll become as keen as everyone else to get on the slopes.

You can expect to be cold too. But not that wet, dreary cold we get here in the UK – be prepared for a nice, dry cold that might even fool you into thinking it’s warm. Don’t be tricked by the temperature when it comes to the sun; even in cold weather you’ll need your sun-cream (or risk the never-popular goggle tan). When the snow falls, be prepared for a ‘white out’; this is where the snow is so heavy that you can’t see past it, meaning an early end to your day – and an early opportunity for a hot chocolate or vin chaud (hot wine).

But ski holidays aren’t just about the sport. Whether you’re part of a group, a couple, a family or travelling alone, you’ll experience what it’s like to be a part of the resort and all that comes with it. Activities off the slope include ice skating, spas, swimming pools, cinemas, shopping, ice climbing, walking – all within beautiful mountainside surroundings.

Then there’s après ski (French for ‘after ski’). Après ski is the term used for the socialising that happens when the skiing is done and usually takes place in bars, restaurants and social areas in your hotel/chalet.

What can I expect my first experience to be like? Will I enjoy it?

Learning to ski or snowboard can be frustrating at first

Learning to ski or snowboard, like any sport, can be frustrating at first. Don’t give up though – the first couple of days may be tough but most people find their feet very quickly. If you’re keen to avoid this feeling then it’s worth taking a few lessons before you leave the UK in one of the many indoor ski slopes around the country. Do make sure you get yourself lessons in-resort too and you’ll be off to an excellent start.

The first few days will be physically challenging too, so expect to be tired. Day 3 is typically the hardest; you’ve been challenged by the new experience and your body will probably ache. Plus ski boots can get really uncomfortable. Remember this and make the effort to push through though – it’s all worth it in the end. Beginners who go away for a week can typically expect to be fairly competent on the slopes by the end of it – have lessons every day and you’ll see huge improvements.

When it comes to equipment, trust the person doing the fitting for you. Ski boots are uncomfortable and they’re meant to be tight so expect that – that’s how they support your ankles. Make sure you wear your ski socks for your fitting to get the best possible fit.

Everyone starts as a beginner at some point and everyone gets scared. Keep smiling!

What do I need to pack?

Try Sports Direct for ski gear that won’t break the bank

Take a look at our ‘what to pack for a ski/snowboard holiday’ blog for a comprehensive list of everything you’ll need.

The world of winter sports has a fashion sense all of its own. Nowhere else will you find such brightly coloured jackets and trousers and nowhere else is it acceptable to wear that bobble hat! It can be tempting to get carried away with all the things you could buy, but that gets pricey… here are the essentials you’ll need:

-          Waterproof jacket

-          Salopettes or snowboard pants (waterproof trousers)

-          Gloves

-          Socks

-          Goggles/sunglasses

-          Thermal layers (not cotton – proper thermals)

Borrowing from friends can be useful if you’re not sure about buying your own kit, or check out Sports Direct for good value ski and snowboard clothing that’s perfect for beginners.

It’s also useful to think about changes of clothes for the evening. Snow boots or moon boots are worth taking a look at as they tend to have better grip than a lot of shoes and are easy to slip on and off – which is great when you want to change out of your ski boots. Leave them in your locker and pop them on before heading to the bar for added après ski comfort…

http://www.sportsdirect.com/skiing-and-snowboarding

Do I need to take lessons?

Parallel turns are one of the first things you’ll learn at ski school

Yes. Definitely. If you can, take them before you go as well as while you’re there.

Indoor and dry slopes

There are loads of indoor slopes in the UK where you can learn the basics with qualified instructors on real snow. There are also lots of dry ski slopes where you’ll learn on a special material which behaves like snow. Take a look at the Ski Club of Great Britain’s map of indoor and dry slopes. It’s also worth checking out Snowsports England’s Go Ski Go Board initiative for some great deals for beginners.

Ski and snowboard lessons in-resort

Attending ski school may feel a bit daunting. Perhaps you’ve even got mates that could teach you for free. But there really is no substitute for the professional tuition you’ll get with proper ski school lessons.

Crystal Ski offers various first-timer bundles which include ski and snowboard lessons; make sure you book in advance to secure your place. You’ll learn to ski as part of a group, or privately if you prefer, and follow a series of lessons that help you progress from beginner to confident skier/boarder. If you can, take lessons for at least your first week on the slopes to get the most out of them.

Top tips for beginners

Everyone falls over at some point…

1)      Be prepared to get physical.
Skiing and boarding are sports, so making sure you’re in good physical shape will help you out on the slopes. Keep this up in-resort too; a heavy night of après might seem tempting when there are so many bars to choose from, but no one skis well with a hangover…

2)      Take lessons.
Getting some practice in on an indoor slope will help your confidence on the mountain. Take lessons in-resort too, for at least the first week, and you’ll soon be skiing and boarding with the best of ‘em.

3)      Wear thin layers – it gets warm when you’re skiing/boarding
And don’t choose cotton. Proper thermals, like those sold in Sports Direct, will keep you warm and dry. Try hiking socks or proper ski socks – not only do they keep the heat in, they’ll give you extra padding to make you more comfortable.

4)      Find a hotel near to the ski lifts and/or make use of lockers.
Getting a hotel/chalet near the lifts will make your life a bit easier when it comes to carrying your equipment up the mountain. Try to find somewhere within easy walking distance or with a good shuttle bus service and you’ll find it much easier to get around.

Most resorts will provide lockers for you to keep your stuff in during the day too. Make use of them. Carrying too much stuff up the mountain can be cumbersome and uncomfortable, so leave that packed lunch/change of clothes/good luck teddy bear behind!

5)      Remember you’re a beginner
You will fall. It might hurt. And your ski boots will be uncomfortable. We all started there at some point and you will get past it; don’t expect to be James Woods (UK Slopestyle competitor) within your first week and you’ll do just fine.

Do you have your own tips for beginners or beginner experiences to share? Feel free to do so in the comments below.

To find out more about beginner ski holidays and to find yours now, take a look at Crystal Ski’s beginner ski/snowboard holidays page and look out for the ‘good for beginners’ logo throughout the website.

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Ski/Snowboard Holidays appeared first on Ski-buzz.

When I speak to people who haven’t been skiing or snowboarding before I hear the word fear a lot. They talk about a fear of falling over and of hurting themselves, a fear of not enjoying it, of not being able to stop or of going down the slopes too fast.

But the good news is, some fear is good for you. And it’s natural. Everyone starts this great sport of ours with exactly the same feelings.

Any experienced skier or boarder will tell you (if they can remember that far back and are modest enough) that the first time they ever clipped in they thought they were going to fall over (and they probably did). Gentle bunny slopes (what beginners start out on) looked like sheer death defying runs, and turning? Well that was just impossible.

But after a day or two of practising their ‘Pizza & chips’ or the ‘Falling leaf’ (names given to beginner techniques) they soon found a confidence that let them move on.

Day 2 or 3

The only thing is, once you have got past those initial fears – your instructor throws you on to steeper runs (blue or maybe even red in your first week), maybe a chairlift or two and maybe even the freestyle park – some fear is always there.

Pain is only temporary, quitting is forever

Now, I say some fear is always there – many ski veterans don’t actually get scared on the slopes anymore. Mostly because they have reached the pinnacle of their comfort zone, know their limitations and are happy pootling along at their pace.

But there is always room to push yourself harder – if you want to.

Even Vonn is scared at times

Harakiri – Austria’s steepest groomed slope

As a beginner, it’s important to understand your limits. Believe me when I say there’s plenty of advanced (and scary stuff) out there for you to try with a few weeks of good quality piste time under your belts. A great example is the Harakiri run in Mayrhofen, Austria. I think the photo above says it all.

Do you think the likes of Shaun White (probably the best snowboarder ever) and Lindsey Vonn (probably the most famous female downhill skier in the world ever) have never had the fear? Of course they have. These guys push themselves to the limits every time they compete – where even the slightest error could see them in some serious trouble (Vonn is currently recovering from her worst injury to date). I would bet good money that little Lindsey on her first day on the slopes was at least a little bit anxious.

Fear is essential for adrenaline sports

• Fear makes you cautious
• Fear makes you concentrate
• Fear stops you doing anything too stupid

So, I am not saying go out and try something way over your skill level… This is when serious mistakes or injuries can happen. Take every success a step at a time.

Overcoming your fear is the best feeling. Completing your first full blue run or just making it off the nursery slopes gives a real sense of achievement.

My advice: give it a go and don’t let the fear beat you.

You never know, if you continue to confront your fears, Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White might one day be asking for your autograph.

The post Beginners – Are you scared of skiing and boarding? You should be. appeared first on Ski-buzz.

In the final of our series of blogs – where we highlight some of the reasons why we ‘We love Bulgaria’ - (located here, here and here) we will show you why Bulgarian resorts are up there with the best for nightlife in Europe.

Amigos – Bansko

Why is Bulgarian après special?

First of all, it’s important to note that après ski doesn’t happen in Bulgaria in the same way as most other European resorts. In Austria for example, everyone hits the bars straight after the slopes. There are still some great places to go for a few après drinks, but you won’t see people dancing on tables in their ski gear at 4pm. Nevertheless, in each of the resorts you will find lively bars, and quiet ones where you can enjoy a drink after a great day on the mountain. The real après in Bulgaria starts after 9pm, and goes on way in to the early hours.

One thing to look out for is that the measures for short alcoholic drinks are double to what you’re used to at home. A single measure is 50 ml and a double is 100 ml. So pace yourself!

Tip: If a Bulgarian orders vodka and coke they expect the drinks to be served separately. Although most places would understand what you meant if ordering this (especially in a UK accent), it might be worth mentioning it to your bar tender that you want the drink mixed.

Most of the bars have happy hours – so, you could create your own happy hour bar crawl and move from one bar to another when the happy hours kick off. If “shots” are your thing, then you’re in luck. Shots are generally cheaper in Bulgaria than virtually any other European ski resorts. If you’re more of a lager drinker, did you know you can get a beer for the equivalent of just under £1 in Borovets? Yeeeehaaaaaaa!

Euphoria – Bansko

Borovets

Borovets is often referred to as “Ibiza on snow”, and this buzzing resort really does come alive at night. For early doors après drinks, ‘Mamacitas’ is the place to be. They have the best live band in the resort that start playing for you in the early afternoon. Franko’s Bar is perhaps the most popular place for après drinks after you return from the slopes, but this place really kicks in very late at night.

If you fancy a quality pint, but you want somewhere a little less crowded – head to the Harp Bar next to Hotel Ela. BJ’s Bar also tends to get quite busy after skiing. It is situated at the cross roads opposite Samokov Hotel and just across from the base station of the gondola lift. The music goes right up after 10pm, so this is a place you might want to return to for a late night session. The Titanic bar is a small, cosy place, which mainly does meals but people like to pop in, even just for a quick drink, as the staff are great and so are their prices.

If you want to sing a song or just have a laugh at everyone else trying, don’t miss having a drink or two at the Black Tiger. Their karaoke list is enormous and this is normally a fun night out.  Later in the night, if you’re looking for some dance music, Franko’s has two DJs and both of them will always put on a great set for the crowd and get everyone in the mood. The Buzz Bar is our favourite place to finish a night off in Borovets. Head there after 11.30 and you’re bound to be on the dance floor until the early hours.

Franko’s Bar – Borovets

Pamporovo

Pamporovo is often a little less crowded than Borovets, but it can offer some great, lively nightlife. As soon as you’re done on the slopes, head to the Markony. It’s really cosy, and great for getting some hot chocolate to warm you up. It’s situated opposite the ski centre, so it’s really convenient to pop in before you jump on the bus back to the resort centre. The lobby bar of Snezhanka hotel is always packed and you can rarely find a seat after skiing. It’s probably the open fireplace that makes this place so cosy and welcoming, and everyone seems to stop for a drink or two before getting ready for dinner. If you’re looking for a lively place for a few pints after the mountain, then make sure you pop in to the imaginatively titled ‘Apres Ski’  Bar in the centre of resort. It’s also a great spot to go back to after dinner as well. Restaurant Chanove 2 has a great new bar inside, which attracts skiers and boarders after the slopes with its cocktails, but the real party starts here with some dj’s and karaoke after 10pm.

If you want to check out how the locals party (a scene you really shouldn’t miss), then visit ‘Sogo’ Bar on the ground floor of Murgavets Hotel. Yes the music is local (and a little cheesy), but it’s still incredibly fun. A modern club, which tends to get busier after 11pm is the Spider Bar in Perelik Hotel. If you like your cheesy pop or chart tunes, this is the spot for you. Finally, we mustn’t forget one of the most famous places in resort; Dak’s Bar in Snezhanka Hotel – the live band are amazing and the bar is packed with plenty of locals who love to party. There’s a great atmosphere and will keep you up ’til the early hours.

SOGO club – Pamporovo

Bansko

Après ski and night life in Bansko? It’s not famous for it, but Bansko will surprise you. But don’t bother wasting time researching it, here’s some insider’s tips on Bansko après ski and night life.

The Happy End is an interesting place to check out. It is situated opposite the Gondola and looks like a traditional Austrian après bar. People say that the drinks tend to be relatively overpriced here, but make sure you go for at least one drink, as the interior and atmosphere is really impressive. We like Amigos for both après ski in our ski gear, or for a post dinner night out. The place is built in a shape of a massive alpine house and has an upstairs section too. The live bands start after 9pm and they usually get the crowd going. Make sure you make a stop at the Irish Bar in the Sport Hotel at least once after skiing during your week. The place is modern, with friendly staff and normally there are plenty of people having fun and dancing around. The Lions Pub in Bansko is always packed, both inside and outside. As the name suggests, at this place you are mostly likely to bump into other Brits. This, for many people, is what makes it a great place to hang around after the mountain or later in the evening.

In the old town of Bansko you’ll find more late night spots but they cater mainly for the locals. This does not mean that tourists are not allowed, but the music is mostly geared towards the locals. Nevertheless, a very modern bar you may want to try late at night is called Track Bar Drink and Dance – you might want to throw a smart shirt on for this place. The club, situated in the centre of resort, is the place where the locals will dance to their favourite Balkan Music. It goes on all night, and the club generally closes when the last person walks out. A couple of clubs you could consider are ‘Euphoria’, a very trendy new bar, with a cool design, which is definitely a place where people go to be seen. Most go for a meal, but later at night they put on a brilliant live band and the place becomes livelier and more relaxed. Another great bar you don’t want to miss out on whilst in Bansko is ‘Oxygen’ – it looks like a snow cave and it mainly attracts a younger, “baggy skipants” crowd. The drinks are great and so is the music, so definitely worth checking this one out.

Virtual Oxygen – Bansko

Bulgaria is famous for its nightlife for a good reason, and in this blog we’ve tried to show you the most famous, as well of the best unheard places to party. We’d love to hear from you if you’ve been to Bulgaria, so join in the conversation on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

The post ‘We love Bulgaria’ – and we love the nightlife appeared first on Ski-buzz.

Banff, voted no.1 by our customers.

As the season draws to a close and most of the resorts start turning their chair lifts off for the summer, we’re going to look at the big winners from last season (2011/12) as voted by our customers.

Our awards cover the best holiday destination, where the best value is and where’s best to avoid the queues.

Best overall resort

This is the big one. Our version of the Best Film at the Oscars. These are the resorts our customers voted as the best place to go skiing. When it comes to a ski holiday it’s a completely personal experience, but the below 5 resorts got the best possible scores from our customers, and if you don’t have them on your ‘must-ski’ list, they need to be there.

Banff has fantastic slopes, as well as a lively town centre.

• 1st Place – Banff, Canada
  A non-ski-in/out resort takes the big prize. But does it come as a surprise Banff scored so highly? Absolutely not. While the resort is commonly criticised for it’s lack of ski in/ski out, we don’t think it’s too much of a problem.The buses to the slopes work like clockwork, and if one bus fills up (and by that we mean the seats, no one ever has to stand) then they’ll put on an additional bus, following right behind. It couldn’t be easier and as you are in one of the most beautiful spots in the Canadian Rockies, your journey to the slopes will pass jaw dropping mountain ranges. The size of these are impossible to explain – they really have to be seen to be believed. Plus, you get to see elk and long horn sheep wandering around. Whether you are on a ski bus, a skidoo, a dog sled or even just walking around, the views here are nothing short of spectacular. Then you have the skiing. There are 3 superb resorts to explore, with Sunshine Village and Lake Louise being the two biggies – unlimited skiing for any ability and also incredible ski schools to boot. The town of Banff is great fun in the evening, with superb restaurants which are inexpensive and a number of lively bars. In the evenings it can get quite raucous, but you’ll always be able to get enough shut-eye for first lifts the next morning. Banff’s high season is over the summer, hence you always get great prices in winter as the locals see it as off-peak – you could spend two, three times as much visiting here in summer – we can’t help but love the winter and what our customers have been saying suggests you’ll feel the same.

• 2nd Place – Selva, Italy
  A chocolate box village which is surrounded by spectacular views of the Dolomites.  Although not a big name on the ski circuit, the ranking is well deserved. The skiing is incredibly varied and whatever your preference there is something for you. Like long ‘uns? There’s a 10.5km run into the nearby resort of Ortisei . Like off piste? The head over to Colfosco ski area where you can find fresh-lines between the trees days after the last snow hit.  Just want to go fast? Selva’s runs are a collection of reds – whizzing around this area for any standard of skier is bliss. As the day comes to an end, unclip your skis and jump into one of the après ski bars, always complete with cheesy euro pop and a fun atmosphere. The small town is a great place to unwind in the evening, it doesn’t have thumping nightlife, but some fun bars and great restaurants too. If you want to explore the Dolomites, one of the greatest ski areas on the planet, then this is the perfect base – and now you don’t even have to just take our word for it.

• 3rd Place – Whistler, Canada
  Seeing as Whistler has made the top 5 categories for advanced skiing, off-piste skiing, snowboarding, après ski and shopping, it’s no real surprise that it’s popped up here also. It gets voted pretty consistently the number 1 resort in North America by Ski Magazine. It actually wins so many awards it’s got an entire page dedicated to it. So why is it so good? First of all, it has massive terrain –  a recent survey that looked at the total kilometres of runs had Whistler coming in 5th in the world. In an “average” season  it also gets nearly 12m of snow. Terrain for everyone, and we mean everyone – from amazing, gentle greens to insane double black diamond runs. Plus a village with great après, night life and restaurants to die for. It’s got the whole package and we love it.

• 4th Place – Grindelwald, Switzerland
  With a ski area of over 200km Grindelwald has a fair amount of terrain to explore – and sitting in the middle of the Jungfrau region the views ain’t too bad either – lots of runs are overlooked by the Eiger. The pistes are just sublime – there’s plenty of beginner and expert terrain, but for an intermediate or good skier who just loves blasting around the slopes, then the endless red runs are just absolute perfection. Couple the astonishingly large ski area with the pretty, Swiss, chocolate box village and you get the full package for those after that classic ski holiday, with great skiing at your doorstep. As I’m sure you can imagine a lot of the accommodation here isn’t too shabby either, but compared with a lot of its sister resorts in the country, it still represents great value for money. If you want a picture perfect Swiss ski trip then you’d struggle to do better than Grindelwald.

• 5th Place – Zurs, Austria
  Zürs is an exclusive resort with a whole host of top quality 4* and 5* spa hotels to choose from, and the town itself is extremely pretty. You may spot a few paparazzi around the town too as it does tend to attract a few celebs. At 1,720m it’s one of Austria’s highest ski villages, and is higher than neighbouring Lech. The resort’s had good investment and high-speed chairs; heated seats are the norm now, with queues a rarity. With 7m of snow in an “average” season, whether you’re shooting down groomers or hitting the off piste you’re pretty certain of great conditions. For those that like to take things easy then there’s a 22km scenic trail called the “White Ring” ski circuit. If all of that isn’t quite enough then the lift pass also covers nearby St. Anton and Sonnenkopf – a total of 270km piste at your disposal.  The on mountain dining is superb, from traditional Austrian huts to fine dining. In the evening Zurs is quiet compared to some of its sister resorts, but there’s still some lively après, and pubs and clubs partying on into the wee hours.

Overall value

So, you want to ski but you’re on a budget. Where should you go? A lot of people will think Bulgaria, but there are other places out there with fantastic value. There may be a couple here that take you by surprise.

Kranjska Gora offers fantastic value, and doesn’t look too bad either.

• 1st Place – Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
  Quite simply, compared to any other Eurozone country in Central Europe, Slovenia offers the best value for money – and has real quality to boot. First things first, the holiday package. You’ll struggle to find better priced, but what Kranjska Gora offers you is one of the most spectacular spots. It’s just up the road from Lake Bled, with superb service and excellent hotels. In resort you’ll find things cheap, from the excellent (all English speaking) ski school, to eating and drinking whether you’re on or off the slopes. You can ski to and from your door with many of the hotels here too, which means no faffing with buses in the morning. The Slovenians are incredibly welcoming and offer superb service wherever you go. We absolutely love Slovenia, it’s a less well known area, but absolutely worth a visit – especially for those who are new or reasonably new to the sport.

• 2nd Place – Borovets, Bulgaria
  This is a great little resort just an hour and a half from Sofia airport. Well known for great value, Bulgaria sometimes gets a bad rap and it is completely unfair – the quality of accommodation is superb. Some of the big hotels aren’t particularly beautiful from the outside –  but inside they are as good a standard of any of their counterparts in other countries. Plus, thanks to the size they usually have a huge range of facilities. If you want a bit of luxury, then hotels like Lion and Yanakiev are lovely properties, again offering great value. Breakfast and dinner are included with all the hotels we feature here, and eating and drinking is really cheap – a pint of beer will cost you just over a quid. First Time ski packages cost from £184pp (lift pass, rentals and lessons) which is just staggeringly cheap. You’d struggle to find anything for less than Borovets.

• 3rd Place – Bansko, Bulgaria
  This is the most modern of the resorts we offer, with lots of development over the noughties and a whole plethora of new hotels popping up. Now the cranes have gone, you’re left with brand new hotels of an excellent standard – hotels like the Kempinski and Premier Luxury Mountain Resort would be a top 5* hotel wherever you put them. For the standard you won’t get such a great hotel for such a small price anywhere else. There’s some great 3* and 4* options too, all of them central to the main town centre which offers an impressive range of bars, restaurants and shops. Prices aren’t as cheap as Borovets here but you’ll still get a beer for under £2, and compared with other ski resorts it’s still a bargain. It’s the largest ski area in Bulgaria too. The trail map doesn’t do Bankso justice, as it’s a big mountain with a modern gondola system whisking you up. More experienced skiers will love this, as will beginners.

• 4th Place – St Wolfgang, Austria
  If we told you that this resort is 1 hour and a quarter from the airport and offers 150km of skiing, we’re pretty sure your ears would prick up. The ski area is huge, and is split between two areas. The Postalm is perfect for beginners with a great ski school, while Dachstein has the majority of terrain with 141km of slope split across all abilities – a great all rounder. There’s great value hotels, all of a high standard, and eating and drinking is cheap too. So – what’s the catch? You do have to get the shuttle bus to the skiing and it isn’t that close (45mins Postalm / 1.5hrs Dachstein) but for the price we think it’s worth it. Clearly our customers agree!

• 5th Place – Alpbach, Austria
  Although not one of the cheapest areas we offer, Alpbach is one of the most beautiful resorts in Austria. Given what you pay for this sublime setting, it is exceptional value. Voted as ‘Austria’s most beautiful village’, the scenery is just astounding, a quaint green steepled church is the centre point of the village, alongside traditional houses and hotels. Eating and drinking here is inexpensive too, whether you’re in town or on the mountain. There’s lots to explore on the mountain as there’s a newly extended 142km of piste accessible from Alpbach. In the future prices will inevitably start creeping up, but on the face of everything, Alpbach is incredible value.

No queues

The bug bear of any skier or snowboarder is queuing – no one likes them, it’s a simple as that. So if you don’t like a scrabble for the lifts, read on to discover the best places to avoid them.

The quieter slopes of Hochgurgl.

• 1st Place – Hochgurgl, Austria
  Sitting at a whopping 2,150m, this is Austria’s highest altitude resort with season long guaranteed snow and 110km of piste. The ski-in/out village only has half a dozen hotels, so Hochgurgl is never going to have a big backlog of skiers waiting for the first gondola in the morning. Add to that an efficient and well-placed network of high-speed chairlifts to disperse skiers around the mountain, and up to the magnificent ‘Top Mountain Star’ restaurant – which could persuade any would-be skiers with its scenic delights. After you have torn yourself from your coffee and views, head onto the Top Express gondola to Obergurgl. From here you can explore more equally fantastic skiing, including the off-piste powder trap delights of the Valley of the Kings. Again, there are plenty of high-speed chairs and impeccable pistes throughout. Bliss.

• 2nd Place – Gressoney, Italy
  Part of the Monte Rosa ski area, but less well known than its neighbour Champoluc. The expansive 180km of piste can be accessed from a number of spots and as Gressoney is a quieter village you never get any crowds – queues here are very, very rare. Once you’re up there’s an expansive ski area, even if you don’t visit other resorts. The off-piste is phenomenal – voted in 3rd place to go for off-piste in an earlier Crystal Awards post, and it just doesn’t seem to end. It’s always worth getting a guide to properly explore. While the other nearby areas can be a little busier, for such a snow-sure, massive ski area you just don’t find many queues. Combine that with incredibly inexpensive on-mountain food and spectacular views and you’ve got the whole package – a true hidden gem and worth a visit for any keen skier.

• 3rd Place – La Thuile, Italy
  La Thuile is well known for amazing food and proper Italian hospitality. When it comes to skiing you have a huge number of options. You can ski over to nearby La Rosiere in France, Pila (amazing tree runs) or even Courmayeur. You can’t get bored of the skiing here, it’s impossible – especially as you get killer views of the Matterhorn too. But the reason it makes it onto this list is that it’s also queue free. During the week days you’ll jump on the lifts with little to no queuing. This can change a little on some weekends, when the locals from Milan and Turin head to the mountains to ski, but the Italian weekend ski mentality will mean for the majority of your stay it is just you and the piste. And great Italian food of course.

• 4th Place – Claviere, Italy
  Under 2 hours from Turin, Claviere is a charming little town which sits right on the Italian French border. Even though it’s close to such a big city (as above) the Italians tend not to ski during the week in vast numbers, so you have the place to yourself. As it’s a small town even at peak times, there is rarely any kind of queue for the lifts, and when there is it’s extremely organised. Hence the great reviews from our customers. Add to this access to the Milky Way’s 400km of skiing and you wonder why anyone would ski anywhere other than Italy.

• 5th Place – Ruka, Finland
  Ruka has already appeared on a number of the Crystal Award posts, finishing in the top 5 for beginners skiing, families, snowboarding and kids ski school. Now it gets another for having very few queues also. If you’re a family, with beginner snowboarders/skiers and kids taking ski school, and you don’t like queues (FYI if you are new to the sport, take it from me – you don’t like queues!) then this is for you. Queues are almost non existent as the resort is small and not everything is focused around the skiing.  There are a massive range of winter activities – this keeps the slopes quiet and you’ll never have to stand in line – which is perfect for learning to ski. In January you have the slopes absolutely to yourselves, it’s like a private resort – the only thing to stop you will be your own legs and the phenomenal views.

We’d love your feedback on what you think of the winners and what we said about them – tell us on Facebook.

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