THE MOST GLAMOROUS SEASONS IN THE WORLD TO GO SKIING

Today in Uller we want to talk to you about glamour and the best destinations in the world for skiing. We will depart from Spain and go to 10 destinations, being completely taken in by a list of comforts, pleasures and delicacies typical of royalty and Hollywood actors.

BAQUEIRA BERET (SPAIN)

Baqueira Beret, in Catalonia, is the first destination we want to highlight. It is the residence that the Spanish Royal family has repeatedly chosen for their winter holidays since 1974, this being the first trip in which the kings Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía fell in love with the Aran Valley, its beauty and the comforts it offers. The Resort La Pleta offered him. Hence, they returned with their family two years later to celebrate the arrival of the new year and the festival of the Three Wise Men with great enthusiasm from the whole family, especially the little ones, who at that time were Prince Felipe and the Infantas Elena. and Christina. Thus, it was established as the winter vacation residence of the Spanish Royal family, especially until the 1990s.

One of the Resort's chalets was ceded to the Bourbons every time they visited the valley, as well as its services, in order to promote itself as a tourist destination. Some time later, when the princesses Elena and Cristina formed their families, the chalet was enlarged to accommodate all the new members. Since the current King Felipe is with Leticia, there have been no visits to the chalet. But the current King Don Felipe has many childhood memories there. It is possible that any year the current Spanish Royal family will return to enjoy Christmas festivities.

The facilities of this hotel include restaurants, spa, heated pool, hairdresser and kids club. This and its location at the foot of the slopes have earned it the ski awards of 2018, 2019, 2020, and gives the resort a luxury plus that makes Baqueira one of the most luxurious resorts in the world.

COURCHEVEL (FRANCE)

In France, Courchevel 1850, in the Tarentais Valley, in the French Alps, are one of the largest ski areas in the world. Known as Les Trois Valleés, it has 600 kilometers of well-kept pistes, connected by 165 efficient lift chairlifts. It is full of luxury chalets, Michelin-starred restaurants and nightclubs, which is why it is considered the St. Tropez for winter sports and is visited by a long list of celebrities. Some examples of celebrities who have been seen skiing through the resort are: Prince William and Kate Middelton (the Dukes of Cambridge), Giorgio Armani, Madonna, Robbie Williams, George Cloneey, Christina Aguilera, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Geri Halliwell, Román Abramóvich , the Saudi Royal family or Donatella Versace.

KLOSTERS, GSTAAD, SERMATT AND SANKT MORITZ (SWITZERLAND)

Already in Switzerland, the places of beautiful mountains and select and credible ski resorts multiply, although the country is small in proportion to others, it has many more authentic offers such as Klosters, Gstaad, Zermatt and Sankt Moritz.

Klosters has had a past as a farming village that became known as “Hollywood on the Rocks” thanks to the fact that in the golden 1950s the hotel Chesa Grischuna was frequented by Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck or Gene Kelly. Little by little the town became very large and exclusive, but it has continued to preserve its traditional style.

Gstaad has been the ski resort chosen by artists such as actress Julie Andrews, who said the place was "the last paradise in a crazy world" or actor Roger Moore, the third to starring in the character of James Bond for the well-known and historical saga between 1973 and 1985. The actor, who was born in 1927 and died in Switzerland in 2017 from cancer, after falling in love with Gstaad moved here in 1978 with his family to offer peace of mind to his three children, who grew up there and learned to ski almost as a compulsory subject. . It is a quiet region where you can enjoy the mountains and privacy. It has many interesting activities such as the possibility of skiing on a glacier, a snowpark, winter hiking, cross-country skiing or riding fatbikes off-piste. But its distinguished visitors not only choose it for its slopes and activities, but also for the sophistication of the well-known designer boutiques, the pleasant atmosphere of a mountain village and its concerts in alternative bars.

Zermatt is characterized by avant-garde architecture and design, as local artist and architect Heinz Julen has already designed his own backstage hotel concept, with spacious loft-style rooms with huge stained-glass windows that they eliminate divisions of space in the interior and with nature. In addition, Zermatt boasts a large number of fine restaurants and the highest cable car in Europe (3.885 meters) that favors a descent of 13 km long.

St. Moritz is probably the most famous ski resort in the world with the longest tradition and facilities suitable for practicing competitive winter sports, as it hosted the Winter Olympic Games on two occasions. It has an Olympic ice rink, as well as a frozen lake where you can practice polo, cricket, golf, horse racing on ice, skiing, snowboarding and sledding.

Actors, artists, models and celebrities such as Hugh Grant, David and Victoria Beckham, Kylie Minogue, Elisabeth Taylor, John Lennon, Sofia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel or King Carl Gustaf of Sweden have visited or visit it regularly . Personalities of all generations pass through St. Moritz to ski and enjoy winter holidays, a concept originated by businessman Johannes Badrutt building a hostel in 1850 that would gradually become a luxury hotel. Its radiant light in winter also attracted tourism, to the filming of two of the James Bond films starring Roger Moore and which would be to blame for the actor knowing and choosing Switzerland as his new calm home. These films would be: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and A View to a Kill (1985). The station also attracted well-known personalities such as Alfred Hitchcock, Robert de Niro or Claudia Schiffer. On the other hand, luxury hotels, Michelin star restaurants and even a headquarters of the renowned art gallery Hauser & Wirth, give St. Moritz a aprè-ski of a very high level.

We find it remarkable that Coco Chanel visited this ski resort regularly during the winters of the 30s and that she used it practically as a showcase to show the sports line of her brand. With knitted sweaters, corduroy pants and in general garments designed for sports that allow movement and that at that time represented a great innovation.

MEGÈVE (FRANCE)

Megève , also in France, is a farming village transformed into a glamorous holiday destination by Baroness Noémi de Rothschield, who in 1914 decided that her country should also have her own St. . Moritz. There, famous people such as the Duchess of York, Catherine Deneuve with Roger Vadim, film director and Catherine's partner from 1961 to 1964, with whom they had their son Christian and his daughter, have been seen enjoying winter sports. , Nathalie Vadim. Also Audrey Hepburn, who in addition to filming the film Charade with Cary Grant in 1963 at this station, was with her husband Mel Ferrer in 1966. Always leaving us impressed with his extraordinary style that we would like to see resume on tracks. We are left with a version of combining dark colors in a daring way and that we love. What would the look that Audrey wore for the filming of the film in the same ski resort be like? Chocolate brown cold wool trousers, with a hood (fitted hood) and matching gloves, combined with the absolute black of a short astrakhan fur coat, a hat of the same material and oval glasses.

CORTINA (ITALY)

In Italy, Cortina, surrounded by the Dolomites, is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and one of the most chic ski slopes in Italy. He also knows how to alternate his steep peaks, with more than 1.000 kilometers of ski slopes; with the superior class of its bars and gourmet restaurants, boutiques and, in short, a pleasant and glamorous atmosphere.

ASPEN (USA)

The most famous ski resort in North America. Praised by celebrities and which has 193 skiable kilometers and, also in the opinion of many, the best snowpark in the world. The origin of the city was mining, with the discovery of the silver that was in the area. Its name, Aspen, is Alamoin English, a tree that abounds in the region. It began its activity in mountain sports in 1946 thanks to businessman Walter Peapcke who transformed the city into a resort destination and popularized skiing.

During the Christmas season, Aspen fills up every year with celebrities who show up with their family and also their most peculiar après-ski looks. So much so that, for a few years now, its own style of dress has been named and it is the Aspen look, which is very popular and is even worn in cities around the world. It consists of wearing, as celebrities do, a style full of comfort and protection against the cold. An Aspen look consists of decorated fur coats, extra long wool, cloth or fur coats, quilted anoraks, wool sweaters and winter or Christmas motifs, tight leggings and printed knitwear or even flannel or tracksuit pajama pants, boots resting with fur inside or wool socks sticking out, and accessories such as hats with large tassels, ear muffs, even hats and wool gloves. Finally, ski goggles to finish the look.

Kim Kardasian, Leonardo di Caprio, Paris Hilton, Gwenth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Golidie Hawn, Thalia, Maria Carey, Melanie Griffit with her daughter Stella del Carmen or Ivanka Trump, are some of the usual faces that have been seen by aspen. The luxurious mansions of Hollywood actors also abound, including that of Kevin Costner, that of the Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell couple or that of Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos.

NISEKO (JAPAN)

Niseko, Japan, has more snow than any other season. Its average thickness of 15 meters of snow makes it unique, as well as the illuminated slopes that allow you to ski at night as well, since the ski passes are active 24 hours a day. This really seems chic to us: being able to ski at night. We are also amazed by the passion for winter sports that they show and that they know how to make the most of what nature gives them.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

• WHERE CAN YOU SKI IN SUMMER?

In France: Tignes, Les Deux Alpes.

In Switzerland: Zermatt

In Austria: Hintertux

In Norway: Strin

In New Zealand: Wakapapa

In Argentina: Cerro Catedral

In Chile: The Colorado

• WHERE DO CELEBRITIES GO SKIING?

Baqueira Beret in Spain, Courchevel in France, ST. Moritz in Switzerland, Aspen in Colorado.

• WHAT IS THE LARGEST SKI RESORT IN THE WORLD?

The three Vallées in France, made up of the Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens valleys, which complete the 550 km of skiable slopes.

• WHAT IS THE HIGHEST SKI RESORT IN SPAIN?

Sierra Nevada is the highest in Spain and the most illuminated, since being to the south it has more hours of sunshine and excellent snow quality.

• WHERE DO THE KINGS OF SPAIN GO TO SKI?

Jaca in 2017 was the last snow destination visited by the Spanish Royal Family, with their daughters Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.