European and US ski resorts have been bracing themselves for one of the worst seasons for a generation, but with early snow has come good news as the ski slopes have filled up over Christmas and New Year.

Nearly six foot of snow before Christmas encouraged skiers in Europe to hit the slopes and forget their financial woes - much to the relief of the ski holiday industry.

And the good news for ski country Andorra comes as two of her resorts have been named in a leading ski internet site’s top ten - something which might help Andorra win a bigger share of the European ski market this year.

The skiing holidays site suggests nearly a million Brits alone will be hitting the slopes this winter, but with the economic recession other leading travel ski holiday internet sites think this figure will be revised down.

The good news for the Andorra resorts comes firstly because of Arinsal.

Arinsal topped the poll and won because, with some sixty per cent of British skiers fitting in the novice category, the Andorra ski holidays resort is perfect for them. Away from top class skiers, the whole village atmosphere makes for happy new skiers - and happy new skiers are likely to continue skiing in future years, boosting the ski holidays industry not just in Andorra but with other resorts too.

As well as friendly ski slopes, Arinsal has a good mix of accommodation. Hotels are from hostel standard to four and five star luxury, while there is self catering too with aparthotels, privately available apartments by the week, and the occasional chalet too. Arinsal offers ski instruction in either groups or on an individual basis from novice to advanced.

The second piece of good news for Andorra is that a second resort also makes the ski holidays travel sites’ top ten - an accolade in itself.

They place Pas de la Casa at number four of its top ten ski holiday areas and praise the Andorra resort for its low prices, adding ‘The happy hours, discos, lively cafes and restaurants also give the Andorran resort of Pas de la Casa its reputation as one of the liveliest resorts in the mountains.’

Pas de la Casa is Andorra’s highest ski resort, and consequently has the earliest and deepest snow, with well known Soldeu at a slightly lower altitude.

Andorra started to develop her ski resorts for tourists back in the 1980’s. For the first decade Andorra decided to go for the budget skier, and was able to provide ski holidays at a lot less cost than neighbouring France, and other ski countries in Europe including Austria and Switzerland.

But now Andorra has moved away from the image of the poor man’s Switzerland for skiing to one that is pretty upmarket, with ski resorts such as Soldeu, Arinsal, Pal and Pas de la Casa attracting serious skiers to her slopes as well as novices. In Soldeu for example there is a good choice of Andorra hotels, including four and five star ones, while spa hotels are dotted around the country.

And while the skiing fraternity might be a bit more upmarket with money to match, so are the new residents who move to Andorra to live there full time and take up residency in Andorra.

While Andorra property averaged between three and hundred thousand Euros a few years ago to new residents, the average now is closer to double that. Not because Andorra has seen her property prices rise that much necessarily, although it is true to say it has risen close to fifty per cent in the three years preceeding the current worldwide recession, but because more and more people are choosing Andorra over Monaco as a tax haven.

Andorra might be a small country, but her economy might not do too badly in the year ahead.

We’ve seen a good article at the Daily Telegraph’s UK internet site on skiing and safety - click here to read it.

As we go into the new year both Crystal Ski and Thomson Ski are doing some good deals for Andorra skiing holidays and also ski holidays in France

Memories of a ski holiday spent trudging around heavy equipment and struggling to get to a resort are just that, memories - ar at least it is if you choose to go skiing in Austria this winter…

Budget airlines, package tourism and massive discounts make ski holidays more affordable - now they’re even more convenient. Austrian Airlines recently launched a Skibus service that connects skiers directly to Innsbruck. This service is designed to offer seamless service from the airport to St. Anton, Ischgl and Soelden.

The Skibus offers a timely alternative to other forms of public transportation. For example: passengers leaving London at 6 a.m. will arrive at the resort of their choice shortly after 1 p.m. and may be on the slopes withn the hour.

Ski Holidays In The Tyrol

Tyrol is located in western Austria. The state itself is easily identified by its two parts: North Tyrol and East Tyrol. Along the northern border is Bavaria, with Vorarlberg to the west and Italy and Switzerland to the south. Salzburg Austria is directly to the east. Carinthia also shares a border with East Tyrol.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and one of the most popular ski areas on Austria. The two primary sports in the area are skiing during the winter and hiking during the summer. Several ski resorts and glacial skiing make this one of the few areas in the world to offer year-round skiing. Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice. The first was in 1964 and again in 1976. Only two other areas have had the privilege of hosting the Winter Olympic Games twice: St. Moritz, Switzerland and Lake Placid, New York.

Bidding has begun for the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics. Innsbruck recently became a finalist in the battle to host the first of many Winter Youth Olympic Games.

St. Anton

As one of the more populated areas in Tyrol, St. Anton has a busy nightlife and even busier ski slopes. The St. Anton area is well-known as a resort for ’serious skiers.’ Although it has a reputation for being a hard core ski resort, families and beginners are coming to enjoy all there is to St. Anton. Ski instruction is available for beginners or those wishing to simply improve their abilities.

Ischgl

What was once a farming village is now one of the largest ski areas in Austria. Situated near Vorarlberg, the village of Ischgl has changed its entire image in the last two decades. Travel to the village can be strenuous, and those travelling by car should keep in mind that the village is surrounded by very high, snow-covered mountains. Appropriate snow equipment is necessary to ensure a safe journey. Ischgl has three large ski lifts, intermediate ski runs, great hotels and a busy nightlife.

Soelden

Situated at the base of the Tiefenbach and Rettenbach glaciers, Soelden offers lots of off-slope ski action. Winter and summer skiing are available here due to the location of the glaciers and popularity of ’ski-in, ski-out’ convenience. Soelden doesn’t have the nightlife some of the other Austrian ski resorts may have, but for skiers looking for great year-round glacial skiing, it’s perfect.

Ski Holidays in the Alps

The Alps have a long-running and well deserved reputation for being some of the best ski territory in the world.  Beginners and experienced skiers alike can find the ideal ski terrain to fit their ski style. Ski resorts in the Alps often get the opportunity to work with skiers year round, so they understand what skiers want and how to deliver it in the most convenient way possible for them from the moment they arrive.

The US and European ski holidays industry is understandably nervous about its prospects for the 2009 season - it’s the first time for over a decade that they have entered the start of the year with a full blown global recession, and how many people will be taking ski holidays is very much an unanswered question.

With the majority of ski holidays not booked until January and February, it will be a while before resort owners and hotels can measure the impact the recession has had on the ski holidays business this year, but they are bracing themselves for a sharp decline in visitor numbers and spending.

And many skiers who do book early might hold off this year to see when the ski holiday companies cut their prices, which many will do if sales have been slow up to mid January.

But among the gloomy headlines of economic woe and predictions of doom for the ski resorts in Andorra, France, Austria, Switzerland, Canada and the US has come some good news - the snow has fallen early, and the ski resorts in both Europe and North America have opened early - in Europe’s case it’s the first time in four years the snow has fallen early enough for the ski season to start in full swing, and not having to rely on the snow making machines.

Andorra for example opened her ski facilities for the weekend of November 22 and 23, and thousands of Spaniards flocked into the tiny Principality to take full advantage of the first of the 2008/9 skiing - and in the process got Andorra’s tourism off to a flying start at the time she needed it most.

Andorra is a small country in the Pyrenees, and has borders with both France and Spain. Skiing is a major part of the country’s revenue. Andorra ski holidays started in the early 1980’s as a cheap alternative to ski holidays in France, but in recent years Andorra has spent millions on improving her infrastructure.

Included in the upgrade of facilities for Andorra has not only been public spending on roads and improved access to the skiing areas, but private capital investment in some very good quality hotels, with many hotels in Andorra now recognised as of a good international standard and achieving 4 or 5 star status. Other than skiing Andorra is also a tax haven, with many people taking residency and buying Andorra property.

Andorra’s big neighbour France is also worried about her prospects for the ski holiday seasons ahead - but of all the countries that have a good amount of ski tourists France has been least flexible on her opening dates. Perhaps the French tourist authorities know something no-one else does, but certainly they know they have some great ski areas.

La Grave for example is a diverse French ski holidays area in the south-east of the country and the location of ‘La Meije’. Three summits comprise La Meije with the highest summit being 3,984 metres. Mountaineers and rock climbers challenge themselves to reach the highest summit of La Meije. The very first successful climb was by Emmanuel Boileau de Castelneu and Pierre Gaspard and his son on August 16, 1877. Glacier climbing or ice climbing is a very popular sport in La Grave as well as more conventional skiing and snowboarding.

Much of the La Grave la Meije ski area is glacier and considered dangerous. Guided skiing is recommended. Extreme skiers find a great deal of fascination and appeal in La Grave la Meije due to the enormous vertical drops and extreme ski conditions.

If it’s a first time ski holiday then the La Plagne area might be a better option for a French ski holiday.

Nestled atop a magnificent glacier on Mount Bellecote, La Plagne is a world class ski area. Surrounded by the majestic Vanoise Massif Mountains in the Graian Alps, La Plagne beckons both the experienced and novice skier. It is spread over an altitude of 1250 to 3250 meters.

The resort was built in 1961 with the hope of attracting tourism money. It was largely conceived in the interest of four small mountain villages. The fledgling towns were dying and hoped to capitalise on the gorgeous natural beauty of the area. Today’s La Plagne is comprised of many different and distinctive villages. All are linked to one another by ski lifts and trails for those who prefer cross country skiing. The villages continue to expand, giving it a competitive edge when it comes to tourism revenue.

Even the non skier will find something to love about La Plagne. Non skiers may choose from over 50 pubs and restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. After dark visitors can hit one of the resort’s many night clubs for an evening of dancing and partying. Numerous daytime activities entertain and engage those who choose not to ski as well.

But with a good amount of snow already in the area, doing some skiing at least might prove too hard to resist!

Andorra’s 2009 ski season is just around the corner, and her ski resorts are planning to offer free ski passes for children less than 14 years of age if the package is booked through an English or Irish tour operator. Andorra’s resorts are also looking to broaden their market beyond skiing, snowboarding and other popular winter sports. In fact they are planning to build the Pyrenees’ first every ice hotel. The Andorran ice hotel would be the most southerly seated ice hotel in the world.

Ice Hotels Around The World

Ice hotels are quite simply what their name implies: hotels carved out of ice. All ice hotels are reconstructed every year. The construction and operation are dependent on sub-zero temperatures. All walls, carvings, sculptures and furniture are made entirely out of ice. Furniture that requires assembly is held together using snice, a substance that takes the place of mortar in “brick and mortar” buildings.

Ice Hotels in Norway

The Kirkenes Snow Hotel hosted its first full season during the 2006-2007 winter season. For the 2008-2009 winter season, the hotel has 21 rooms and is considered the largest snow dome in Norway. The newest addition to the Kirkenes Snow Hotel is the Scandinavian Sauna by the lake.

The Ice Lodge is part of the Bjorligard Hotel in Norway. Due to its altitude of 1,250 meters above sea level, the Ice Lodge is enjoyed much longer into the winter season than other ice hotels. The lodge includes carved, spacious rooms with glistening ice surfaces and a bar. The Ice Bar is a great place to mingle with other Ice Lodge guests and enjoy the drink of your choice.

The Alta Igloo Hotel first came into existence in 2000. Located in the Finnmark region of Europe, it is the northernmost of all currently existing ice hotels. With 28 regular rooms and two suites, it is decorated with ice sculptures and furnishings. The hotel also has an ice chapel, gallery and bar where the drinks are served in ice glasses.

Ice Hotel in Sweden

The world’s first ice hotel was created near Jukkasjarvi, Kiruna, Sweden. The idea to create ice hotels was actually almost accidental. One night, in 1990, French artist Jannot Derid held an art exhibition inside an igloo in Sweden. There were no hotel rooms available in the nearby town so some guests requested permission to sleep in the exhibition hall. The very first guests of the future Ice Hotel slept in sleeping bags on reindeer skin. The first major media attention may have been drawn to the hotel in the late 1990s when the rock group Van Halen recorded their video to the song ‘Without You’ in the newly built Ice Hotel.

Ice Hotel in Canada

The first Ice Hotel in North America was built in January of 2000. The original was built in the Duchesnay resort area and had only 22 bedrooms. The latest versions have had more than 80 rooms. One thing that sets the Duchesnay Ice Hotel apart from others is its chapel where several weddings are celebrated each season.

Ice Hotels in Finland and Romania

Finland’s Mammut Snow Hotel is not necessarily an ‘ice’ hotel. This hotel is created entirely of snow. Most of Mammut Snow Hotel’s furnishings, decorations and sculptures are created of ice. Similar ice decorations and sculptures are also on display in the Lainio Snow Hotel in Finland. The Mammut Snow Hotel is within the walls of the SnowCastle of Kemi, the biggest snow castle in the world. Also encased in the SnowCastle are The Castle Courtyard, The Snow Restaurant and a chapel for weddings.

Near Saariselka is the Hotel and Igloo Village Kakslauttanen. It is a small village of sorts created with snow igloos, glass igloos, an ice chapel, ice gallery and a restaurant made of snow. The impressive snow restaurant has seating to accommodate 150 people.

Balea Lake in the Fagaras Mountains of Romania is home to Eastern Europe’s first ice hotel. The hotel was first created in 2006 and is at an altitude of 2034 meters above sea level. This ice hotel has enough room for more than 150 guests and features attractions such as bobsledding and ice fishing.

Andorra to Offer More than Winter Sports

In addition to the inclusion of an ice hotel,  Andorra hotels and resorts have made more than 20 million euros worth of upgrades to existing ski areas. Improvements and additions include low-cost helicopter sight-seeing flights, tubing slopes, new ice rinks and a snowmobile circuit. For the 2008-2009 winter season, Andorra’s resorts plan to provide much more than meets the eye for her ski visitors.