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Christmas is almost upon us, but perhaps even more exciting is the prospect of the start of ski season! As Milan quietens down over the Winter break, we tell you the best places to get away for a few days of skiing and perfect powder.
Here are Flawless Milano five favorite ski destinations for Christmas Holidays.
St Moritz | 2:45 h
It’s hard to think of a more glamorous getaway than St Moritz. Long regarded as the winter getaway for the well-heeled and well-traveled, St Moritz boasts more than its fair share of luxury resorts, high end restaurants, extravagant nightclubs. If you really feel like it, you can even ski there! With 350km of pistes, most of which are blessed with natural powder this time of year, you won’t be disappointed. We highly recommend sacrificing a few hours sleep to be the first on the ‘white carpet‘, Corviglia’s virgin ski slopes that open at 7.45. Beyond that, Corvatsch is the highest station on the Eastern alps, and can all but guarantee powder perfection this time of year. Like its name suggests, Diavolezza offers some of the most devilishly difficult slopes for skiers and snowboarders alike. Enjoy the King’s Club in the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, the oldest club not only in the region, but all of Switzerland. For lovers of gambling there’s the famous Casino of St Moritz, while Dracula Club is the perfect place for a drink and dance until late at night if you need to drown your sorrows after an unsuccessful day at the Poker tables!
Cortina d’Ampezzo | 4:45 h
Style and skiing go hand in hand in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a town that once played host to the 1956 Winter Olympics. Easily one of Italy’s most luxurious ski resorts, the town is almost as famous for its buzzing nightlife as it is for its 120 km of spectacular slopes. Cortina’s ski runs are dotted with little rifugi – small huts that were built to house shepherds and travelers during snowstorms that have now been converted to bars and restaurants serving low-key luxury to skiers needing to refuel for some of Europe’s more grueling ski runs. After enjoying an aperitivo at Villa Sandi and a romantic dinner at Al Camin Choose to crash out for the night in one of the town’s many 5 star resorts, or party on into the wee hours at the Bilbò, VIP Club, or the Molo Pub.
Courmayeur | 2:30 h
Nestled at the base of Europe’s tallest peak, Mont Blanc, Courmayeur boasts some of Italy’s best pistes and powder. With over 30 ski slopes to choose from in the area, Courmayeur offers something for every level of skier or snowboarder, but also offers freeride and heli-skiing activities for the more accomplished. Once you are done sampling some of Courmayeur’s 100km of slopes, we definitely recommend resting your aching muscles in the town’s most famous spa, the Pré Saint Didier.
Madonna di Campiglio | 3:45 h
The main point of access to the Brenta Dolomites, Madonna di Campiglio offers 57 lifts and 150 km of ski runs. While Madonna di Campiglio may lack the glamour and nightlife of Cortina or St Moritz, it more than makes up for it with charm. The town boasts a gorgeous car-free center, with buildings predictably all finished in cutesy alpine style. The powder is stunning, but skiing is not the only activity you can do out here with dog sledding, ice climbing and ice skating also on offer. Aperitivo at the bar Suisse, starred dinner at the Stube Hermitage and then dancing all night long at Des Alpes or Zangola, historical nightclubs in the area.
Megève | 3:30 h
Megève has for decades attempted to establish itself as the French Alps’ answer to St Mortiz. It may not have the banging nightlife you find in St Moritz, and it may lack some diversity in terms of difficult ski runs, but for old world glamour and stunning scenery, Megève is hard to beat. There’s a reason why this stunning resort has been favored by France’s élite for almost a century!