january-2012

Photo: Mark Lasseter
4 Over the top
Location: Swiss, Italian and
French Alps
For uncharted off-piste action,
Bond-style, leave the Alp’s hordes
far behind and get dropped off by
helicopter in the remote upper
reaches of the range. Swiss Ski Safari
runs fi ve-day ‘three valleys, three
countries’ trips, airlifting participants
to empty slopes in France, Italy and
Switzerland. Just watch out for
marauding evil henchmen.
Price: From €5,000 for a fi ve-day
itinerary (SWISSKISAFARI.COM)
Fly to: Geneva
Spread photo: Getty Images
Mount Hood, USA
6
Show me the monkeys!
Location: Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
After a day sampling some of Shiga Kogen’s 84 fi rstclass
runs, learn how to do après-ski from local
experts: Japanese macaque, aka snow monkeys, who
take the chill off as they bathe in nature’s own hot
tubs at Nagano’s Jigokudani Monkey Park. Homosapien
skiers can follow suit (in their own geothermal pools,
of course).
Price: Five-day pass from €196
(SHIGAKOGEN.GR.JP/ENGLISH)
Fly to: Tokyo
Photo: Corbis
Shiga Kogen, Japan
Las Leñas, Argentina
3
ADVENTURE UP
Andes off to a fl ier
Location: Las Leñas, Argentina
When the powder’s long gone in the
northern hemisphere, dedicated
European skiers up poles and fl y south
for another winter. Argentina has some
great Andean resorts, and the well-todo
from Buenos Aires fl ock to Las
Leñas. International visitors are
beginning to be attracted too by the
challenging slopes and breathtaking
South American scenery.
Price: Seven-day pass from €205
(LASLENASSKI.COM)
Fly to: Buenos Aires
5
Rise and Shining
Location: Mount Hood, Oregon, USA
It’s possible to hit the volcanic slopes
of Oregon’s tallest peak year round
thanks to the Palmer Glacier. Summer
attracts crazy boarders keen to try
out new stunts, but it’s not just the
temperatures that provide a shiver;
one of the resorts, Timberline Lodge,
was used as the hotel exterior in
horror fl ick The Shining.
Price: Daily pass from €41
(SKIHOOD.COM)
Fly to: Portland
Holland Herald 63