During the winter months the rich and famous descend upon some of the best slopes for their annual skiing holiday, below are some of the top 3 European destinations to spot a celeb.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
In the Veneto region of Italy set among the Dolomite Mountains Cortina is Italy’s ski resort for the elite, famous for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1956, remnants of this still exist in the form of the Stadio del Ghiaccio (Ice Stadium), built for the Olympics which is now a public skating rink. Although skiing is now not the main focal point it does have some good runs especially for beginners with good lift access. If skiing is not your forte there are numerous high end designer shops such as Gucci, Prada, and Armani, hence the attraction for the rich and famous, like George Clooney.
Klosters, Switzerland
The renowned mountain resort of Klosters offers a unique combination of a romantic village-like atmosphere and the contrast of the metropolis of Davos which makes it a must for frequent visitors such as the British royalty, including Wills and Harry, their girlfriends and their father. In the tranquil setting of dark-wood chalets Klosters is also a family friendly resort with top notch ski trails, the Davos-Klosters region covers the famous Parsenn ski slopes and has over 300km of trails. For non skiers there are also plenty of activities including winter walking paths, horse-drawn sled rides and toboggan runs and there are also plenty of après-ski activities and nightlife venues in Klosters, and in nearby Davos.
Val d’Isère, France
Originally a small alpine farming village, Val d’Isere has kept many of its rustic features as well as become a modern alpine ski resort, with the quaint ‘Old Town’ that is steeped in tradition looking picturesque when lined in snow. A favorite for the privileged British and French, offering over 300km of marked pisted runs and unlimited off piste skiing making it ideal for skiers and boarders alike. There is also a wide range of restaurants and cafes serving local cuisine, and plenty of places to go out at night. Val d’Isere is also best known for its sports playground with a wide range of activities in both winter and summer.
Klosters
Picture Courtesy of andreaspopp
