Ski vacations in the Alps are popular because the snowy mountains provide the perfect getaway, whether you are coming from another part of Europe or half way across the world. Many resorts include restaurants, general stores, pedestrian-friendly grounds, and dozens of different family activities, and honeymoon specials. Have you ever experienced the unparalleled comfort and hospitality of staying in one of the world's finest luxury ski resorts? That is something you may want to consider. Top luxury resorts such as Neilson Active Holidays offer luxury packages that are designed to include

• A welcome champagne reception
• Hearty cooked breakfast, or continental breakfast
• Daily snack pack for when you're on the slopes
• Afternoon tea with freshly baked cakes, cookies, tea and 'vin chaud'
• Aperitif and pre-dinner nibbles
• Four course evening meal six nights a week
• A selection of wines with dinner
• Fresh coffee and mints after your evening meal
• Luxury bathrobes, slippers, cosy duvets, toiletries and hair dyers in every bedroom

This is something to consider if your budget allows, but if not, there is still much fun to be had even with the most basic of budgets. There are numerous magnificent ski chalets and spectacular ski holiday resorts found across the Alps that you can experience on the basic budget, or a luxury travel vacation or honeymoon. Some resorts are within easy reach of the coast, so you can be skiing in the morning and soaking up the sun on a Mediterranean beach in the afternoon. You will find that just as every traveler has a unique personality, so do ski resorts.

Ski resorts are often more than skiing?

When most people think of ski resorts, they naturally picture mountains full of fresh fallen snow and people huddled around a roaring fire enjoying a cup of hot cocoa. People out side dressed in winter-wear, ski caps, skiers wearing goggles with ski poles in hands, some careening out of control while others showing perfect control zig zag seemingly effortlessly down the slopes. These are valid scenes, but the truth is that very many modern ski resorts offer far more than just skiing, such as: snowtubing, iceskating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobile tours and dog sledding, plus, Olympic style and cross-country skiing, bowling, movie watching, and more. Some may also enjoy the "sport" of people watching. Spending their time enjoying the antics of those that play in the snow, both young and old alike. Whatever you particular activity niche, it is certain there is lots of life and activity at a winter resort. Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy provide the widest range of skiing and snowboarding conditions found in the world with breathtaking vertical drops. Surely such scenes are are in the hearts of many a credit to the Creator of all things. But with the awe inspiring beauty of the winter mountainous setting needs to come the acceptance of personal responsibility. Any one, or a group of these sports can offer great pleasure, but with that fun the vacationer needs to have safety in mind because of the possibility of injury. The participants in the disciplines of skiing and snowboarding must realize that these sports have many dangers, and it is their responsibility to understand and accept them before participating.

Snow

There is no question that resorts in the Alps are among the "who's who" of European skiing and snowboarding, attracting international acclaim with royalty and celebrities as regular visitors. To meet royalty on a ski adventure can be an added plus for those among us who are the "rank and file" of life. Most of the ski resorts in the Alps are located in high mountain areas which offer the best snow coverage. Of major concern are an increasing number of days where it's too warm for snow to stay frozen. "You can make snow if it's cold enough, but you can't make cold," quoting Charles Shepard, CEO of Hoodoo Mountain Resort. Switzerland has 230 resorts, 85% of which are classified as snow-reliable. The term snow-reliable includes areas where the snow line is above 4000 feet. It is projected that snow could become unreliable at 5000 feet or more in the next 30 to 50 years, dropping the number of snow-reliable resorts in Switzerland to 63% (The Guardian, Dec. 3, 2003). In Italy, the guess is that only resorts higher than 5000 feet will be snow-reliable.

Money saving tips

You can save money at ski resorts by going online and signing up with them. You can also save money by staying in the middle of the week rather than over the weekend. Other tips might be to avoid the bar, or to take your own snacks when you are going on the slopes. Snacks can take the form of energy bars which can be easily carried in the pockets of your clothing. A few micro-waveable meals can take the place of the more expensive restaurant food. There are always ways to save on the budget if one puts their mind to it, which can help pay for the major expenses of both air and ground travel. Thus, making the dream winter vacation a doable reality for lower budget vacationers and honeymooners alike.

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By Greg DeHart

Gregory A.DeHart is the proprietor of http://www.AllPointsTravel.blogspot.com/ which is a travel guide and connection service. Please feel free to visit our site.

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