Skiing is a recreational activity involving skis used to glide over various surfaces. One of the most common surfaces of skiing is snow.
Snow skiing is one of the oldest and most popular forms of skiing practiced today. Aside from being a recreational activity, skiing is also a competitive game played at tournaments.
Aside from the most common form of skiing, snow skiing, other forms of skiing are performed on different surfaces. Below are the various kinds of skiing:
- Water Skiing
- Grass Skiing
- Sand Skiing
While you can ski on any surface of your choice, some famous ski resorts in the world are known for their outstanding features. You can also check them out when you wish to visit a ski resort. Below are some of the best ski resorts in the world:
- Vail, Colorado
Vail is a single mountain ski resort, the third-largest ski resort in the United States, with over six bows and intermediate terrains within the Blue-Sky Basin. Opened in 1962, Vail is one of the most popular ski resorts with landscapes modeled after the Swiss Alps. The landscapes are ideal for skiing and include the varied back bowls and the front-side terrain, all of which combine to make it a skier’s paradise.
- Hakuba, Japan
The Hakuba is one of the most prominent mountains of the Japanese Alps that hosts one of the most famous ski resorts in the world. The resort is popular for its piste terrain, tree skiing, and a fantastic park and half-pipe. The snow quality is also excellent for skiing as Hakuba receives an average of 11-13 meters of snowfall each year. The snow is deep enough for your fat skis, so you need not worry about any damage to your skis while enjoying your time!
- The Kicking Horse, Canada
The Kicking Horse is famous for its steeps and rugged terrains. The resort is spread across five different bowls that offer various attractions. It also has numerous chutes or couloirs, tree runs, gulley, etc. The terrains are constantly patrolled to avoid risks of potential avalanche, they are also adequately marked, and the snow is also quality, with over 7m falling every season.
- Murren, Switzerland
Murren is one of the best ski resorts with stunning mountain-top views and two peaks towering over 4,000 meters. The resort has various black runs, an off-piste for expert skiers, and free riders. The condition of its snow is excellent, with lots of runs. The resort is one of the oldest resorts in Europe and the cradle of alpine skiing. The Slalom kind of racing was developed at Murren in 1922 and is now one of the recognized forms of skiing.
- Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Austria
This is one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria, with quality snow and incredible heights for skiing. It is famous for its challenging terrains, high-alpine off-piste, tree runs, etc., all of which combine to make it a skier’s dream. The towns are also known for their traditional charm, drawing tourists all around the year.
Skiing is a great recreational activity that allows you to explore your natural environments. When on your next vacation, you can visit any of the world’s best skiing locations listed above!