5 great European trips for culture and skiing
If you like to ski – but don’t want to plan a trip that just goes to the Alps – try these unexpected combinations
Heading to Europe’s big cities after the Christmas markets have died down and before the flowers bloom is like wearing a suit on an overnight flight: People mostly tend to do it when they’re on business. From January to March, leisure travelt shifts from urban hubs such as Amsterdam and Berlin to Alpine hangouts like St Moritz, Lech and Megève.
But European cities can be magical in winter, so why not do both? Pairing the delights of experiencing a culture capital or historical site with the adrenaline of a few glorious days on the slopes is a travel twofer. Here are five such combos you might never have considered.
Go to Tbilisi … and ski in Gudauri
Is there a buzzier capital in Europe than Georgia’s Tbilisi? Travellers from around the globe have been captivated by its head-turning mix of old-world sights (like the fourth century fortress that lords over the city), unique culinary traditions, and Soviet-era architecture. While you’re there, check out Fabrika, an old sewing factory that now houses bars and artists’ studios – it’s a great example of Tbilisi’s booming art scene. Or find out why this is Eastern Europe’s hottest party city with late-night jaunts to Bassiani (abandoned pool turned techno hub) and Club Mtkvarze, on the Mtkvari River, offering an eclectic music selection, from hip hop to electronic.
Despite all its draws, Tbilisi is a compact city you can explore in a couple of days, which means it’s easy to fit in the two-hour drive north to Gudauri, one of Europe’s most exciting new ski areas. With only 30 miles (48km) of skiable terrain and seven lifts, it’s not the sprawling winter wonderland of your dreams, but it is Georgia’s highest and largest resort, with excellent cat skiing, heli-skiing, and night skiing options. This year an almost 5-mile (8km)-long cable car route will connect Gudauri to neighbouring Kobi, creating a unified ski area.
Where to stay: Rooms Hotels is a Georgian hospitality company that specialises in hipster-approved accommodation with mix-and-match design, up-and-coming art, and internationally inspired, sustainable dining (the one in the capital is new American and serves a fabulous Georgian steak fillet). Conveniently, it has great hotels in Tbilisi and the mountain town of Kazbegi. But if all you want is one great powder day, spring for a helicopter transfer from the capital to the slopes. It’s only a 30-minute ride, so you can hit first chair and get back to town in time for a pre-dinner massage.
Go to Cappadocia … and ski on Mount Erciyes