Let’s talk travel trends! What does 2015 have in store for us? I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek into Booking.com’s recent survey of the world’s most popular ski destinations for this year and I thought it would be rude not to share! With winter still in full swing, it’s not too late to hit the slopes so if you need creative ideas for your next ski trip, keep reading.
While European resorts are ranking top globally (no surprises there), with Les Menuires in Rhône-Alpes, France named the most lusted for resort, the survey has identified a significant shift towards more unusual skiing destinations. As it turns out, you don’t just walk the unbeaten path – you can now ski it too! Without further ado, here are the most unique ski destinations for 2015 from Booking.com’s list of top 20 resorts:
Pyeongchang , Gangwon-Do, South Korea
South Korea isn’t exactly the first place that comes to mind when we think about skiing, and yet, it turns out it should be! Ranked number 3 on the top ski destinations list, the resort is open all year round and is perfect for beginners as well as advanced skiers.
Perisher Valley, New South Wales, Australia
Step aside Great Barrier Reef, there’s a new hot destination in town (pun intended)! Coming up at number 4, the Perisher Valley is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Interestingly, the skiing season runs from June to the beginning of October, which makes the resort perfect for those who want to escape the hot European summer!
Jämsä, Länsi-Suomen, Finland
Coming up at number 15 is the snowy town of Jämsä in Western Finland. While Finland is certainly not short of snow and ski resorts, I don’t think many of you heard about Jämsä. I didn’t! Even after an extensive Google search, the resort remains a bit of a mystery to me – not much has been written about it. A perfect excuse to visit and explore? Definitely!
Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan
Japan is one of my favourite travel destinations of all time, so I was excited to see it on the list. Filled with restaurants, onsens and spas, Niseko blends sophistication with tradition and, yes, snow sports! A real treat for the romantics, Niseko’s slopes are the largest lit area in the country which means you can ski at night! Skiing at midnight, anyone?
What is your favourite unique ski destination? Le me know in the comments below – sharing is caring! 🙂
Photos courtesy of Booking.com
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Wouldn’t mind trying out the ski resort in Pyeongchang in South Korea:) You should put some of the Canadian resorts on your list as well, like Whitewater in Nelson:)
Jämsa is just the name of the area in Finland where the resort is, the resort itself is called Himos, and is one of the biggest resorts in Southern Finland, with 21 slopes. It’s a great place to go if you have young kids, as they can ski for free as long as they wear a helmet.
Thank you for clarifying this for me!