Where to Ski And Snowboard - New resorts from Crystal

New resorts from Crystal

30th July 2010, by Wendy King

Southern French Alps

Tour operator Crystal Ski’s new winter 2010/11 brochure is out now, and with it comes ten new destinations – many of which are smaller, less well-known resorts (or satellites to major ski areas).

In Austria Crystal will now offer ski and board holidays to Igls (near Innsbruck and great for a combined city break), Niederau and Obertauern – a purpose-built, much under-rated resort near Salzburg, and one of the country’s most reliable for snow.

In France, you’ll be able to head for Les Gets, as an alternative to Morzine in the vast Portes du Soleil region; or sample a very little-known resort much further south: Les Orres 1800 (where Crystal guests will receive a free lift pass). Les Orres is a modest-sized resort of 88km of pistes.

In Italy, the satellite resort of Pragelato is offered – linked by cable car to Sestriere and the Milky Way ski area – developed with new accommodation a few seasons ago. For the Brenta Dolomites, an alternative base to Madonna di Campiglio is Folgarida in the next valley. Purpose-built Folgarida is linked by gondolas into the Madonna ski area, sharing slopes with the resort and with neighbouring Marilleva. Another edition for 2010/11 is Santa Cristina in the Val Gardena valley, near Selva.

As well as various Alpine destinations, Crystal has also introduced New Hampshire in the USA, with five resorts covered by one lift pass, and Panorama in Canada.

Crystal has also extended its range of short break options, now to 44 different resorts, and introduced a First Tracks scheme (where guests can benefit from being first on the slopes).