Skiing is a great option for a family holiday, and thankfully Singapore is well placed in the region to access a wide variety of snowy destinations in every compass direction. Whether you’re aiming for a Northern Hemisphere destination around the turn of the year, or a mid-year trip to Australia or New Zealand, here’s some info to help you plan your next ski-trip.
Japan
Around seven hours from Singapore, Japan has a ski season that’s a favourite of many. On the northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is famed for having world-class powder snow – and loads of it! The mountain is split into four resorts: Annupuri, Niseko Village, Hirafu and Hanazono. Another popular spot is Hakuba, in Honshu’s Northern Alps. It receives over 10 metres of snow each season, and has slopes and ski terrain that both beginners and experts will enjoy.
Plan your trip for… November to May
Korea
Korea is another great destination for skiing, with Pyeongchang County in the country’s northeast being a particular hotspot (or coldspot!). It’s home to two well-known ski resorts, Yongpyong and Alpensia, the former with impressive slopes that cater more to intermediate and advanced skiers, and the latter with six slopes that are ideal for beginners, and pistes up to 1.4 kilometres in length.
Plan your trip for… November to April
New Zealand
Coronet Peak is just a 30-minute drive from Queenstown in NZ’s South Island, and it boasts terrain that caters to skiers of various levels. The beginner slopes are perfect for families, while adrenaline junkies can go all out and give heli-skiing a try. An hour’s drive from Coronet, The Remarkables mountain range is another great ski destination that will appeal to both beginners and advanced skiers.
Plan your trip for… mid July to early September
India
Looking for somewhere a little different? Skip the regular haunts and head to India for your next ski trip. Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the far north are becoming increasingly popular for skiing and winter activities. Head to Mount Apharwat in Kashmir and Jammu, and you’ll find some almost-vertical descents and fantastic off-piste routes. Solang Valley in Himachal Pradesh is another great place to explore.
Plan your trip for… December to March
Europe
From France and Italy to Austria and Switzerland, Europe is sky-high on the ski-trip radar. In Switzerland’s St Moritz, the three main areas cover over 350km of runs. Located three hours away from Zurich airport, it has free-ride slopes, beginners’ pistes and the world’s first yoga piste. Val d’Isère in France is great for both advanced and beginner skiers, with over 300km of beautifully managed slopes and 99 lifts. You can choose from group lessons at one of the ski schools or engage a private lesson.
Plan your trip for… December to March (April for France)
USA
America has some of the world’s most beautiful ski resorts. Boasting stunning lake and mountain views, Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Mountains is popular with both skiers and snowboarders, and has a massive 90 square kilometres of terrain, 500 ski runs and seven cross-country areas. Many resorts in the area offer ski lessons for kids. Jackson Hole is another well-known ski destination in the US, with Rendezvous and Apres Vous mountains offering more than 10 square kilometres of skiable area and 116 pistes to explore. Set in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Aspen has plenty of powder-laden pistes, including the enormous Snowmass.
Plan your trip for… December to early May
Canada
A two-hour drive from Vancouver, Whistler is one of the most popular skiing spots in Canada. It has over 32 square kilometres of terrain to explore and a reliable snowfall. There are family ski zones, guided off-piste routes and even heli-skiing. Banff and Lake Louise, both near Calgary in Alberta, are also great places to head to for a ski-trip, where you can expect powdery snow and an expansive terrain to explore.
Plan your trip for… December to March
Need some help planning your trip?
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This article first appeared in the July 2018 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
