It is really enjoyable to visit ski resorts that offer the best slopes, comfortable chairlifts, and award-winning restaurants after a full day of skiing. But aside from the popular skiing resorts in Switzerland, France, and Canada, have you considered skiing in different and unlikely ski locations such as in Hawaii, Dubai, and South Africa? Most likely you haven’t, but sometimes it’s a wonderful thought to ski somewhere off the beaten track.
If you want to try skiing somewhere else aside from the usual and popular ski resorts you know, then read on because we are giving you a list of some of the unlikely ski locations you might want to try.
1. Mount Etna – Italy
If you’re looking for a thrilling experience, you can try skiing on an active volcano. Mount Etna which is located in Sicily has two main ski areas. One is Nicolosi which has three chairlifts and the other one is Provenzana which can only accommodate one. When you ski in this place, you might be lucky to see some ash and smoke rising from Mount Etna’s summit as you glide down the slopes. It is not a big ski resort but the views from its summit are spectacular. The snow season here is from November to April but remember that skiing is occasionally affected by volcanic activity.
2. Monte Kaolino – Germany
Monte Kaolino in Germany has slopes that are formed from Quartz sand and not from snow. A resident in the 1950s started to ski down the pile of sand which became the inspiration to transform it into a ski resort because of the fascinating similarity of the sand to snow. Only one lift will transport you to the top of the flagship 200-meter run which will provide you a wonderful skiing experience. The ski season in Monte Kaolino is from April to October.
3. Afriski – Lesotho
Afriski is located in Lesotho in Southern Africa. You may not think of it when it comes to skiing, but it is certainly a hidden gem. It is based in the Maluti Mountains and it is the only snow-sports park in Africa. It features quiet slopes and breath-taking scenery, making it a great destination for people who are looking for new and unique locations to ski. The snow season here is from June to August.
4. Mauna Kea – Hawaii
Mauna Kea will offer you a unique opportunity to ski on the island of Hawaii. However, they have no lifts, marked runs, or piste bashers here, making the experience suited for experts. To be able to get to the top of the mountain, you need to take an off-road vehicle on the roads which serve the observatories near the summit. The mountain is 4,270 meters tall. It does not have enough facilities for a complete ski holiday, but it can be an example that resort facilities are not always needed for adventurers to enjoy skiing. The snow season here is from December to January.
5. Cloudmont – Alabama
Do you want to experience a mix of warm summer and winter slopes on your next holiday adventure? If that’s the case, then Cloudmont is the best ski destination for you. This ski resort relies on artificial snowmaking which can take 20 to 35 hours to create the base of the slopes. They use eight snowmaking machines. Aside from skiing, they also have a 9-hole golf course and will also offer you breath-taking horseback ride. The snow season here is from December to March.
6. Troodos – Cyprus
People who spend their vacation in Cyprus usually go to the beach. But in Troodos, you can ski in the morning and sunbathe by the pool in the afternoon. Troodos is Europe’s most southerly ski destination and it can receive up to 2.5 meters of snow in its higher areas. It has four pistes and even though the resort is small, it has the cheapest ski passes in Europe which is great if you’re in for a low-cost ski weekend. The snow season here is from January to March.
7. Bohinj – Slovenia
Bohinj is located in the Triglav National Park. It has the biggest natural lake in Slovenia which results in some extraordinary scenery while you hit the slopes. Aside from skiing, you can also enjoy ice-climbing, paragliding, and sleigh rides in this place. After skiing, you can also visit Lake Bled if you’re up for some sightseeing. The snow season here is from December to April.
8. Ski Dubai – Dubai
Dubai has one of the largest indoor ski areas in the world which his Ski Dubai. It offers winter sports fans the chance to ski in the desert. Even though Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort, it has a functioning chairlift, five full ski runs, and a freestyle zone for experts who like to practice their tricks. You can visit Ski Dubai all year round.
9. Ben Lomond – Tasmania
Tasmania is best known for surfing and sandy beaches, but Ben Lomond will give you an opportunity to ski in this part of the world. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere and its slopes are an ideal location if you want to experience some summer skiing. This ski resort is only 1,570 meters high but snow cannons are used to keep the pistes skiable. The snow season here is from July to September.
10. Tiffindell – South Africa
Tiffindell in South Africa transforms from a summer adventure to a winter utopia yearly. However, the snow here can be unreliable because the resort can go a whole year without natural snowfall. It means that they rely on snow generating machines. But this resort offers a snow park that is fully equipped with rails and jumps. And you can also finish your day with an après ski by visiting the highest pub in South Africa.
11. Cerro Castor – Argentina
This is the world’s most southernmost ski resort and it is less than 600 miles from Antarctica. Because of its location, snow settles at sea level during the Argentinian winter and even small mountains have glaciers. It has 26 trails with different degrees of difficulty. Its highest point is 3,468 feet. There are also restaurants, tea rooms, and recreation facilities here. The snow season in Cerro Castor is from June to mid-October.
12. Daemyung Vivaldi Park – South Korea
In South Korea, people ski with bright outfits and loudspeakers that blast pop music usually through the night or into the early morning hours. Daemyung Vivaldi Park is South Korea’s most popular ski resort and it can accommodate up to 20,000 visitors every day. It features 12 slopes and as well as Asia’s first 8-seater express chairlift and 8-seater gondola.
13. Dizin – Iran
Dizin is just 43 miles north of Iran’s capital city, Tehran and skiing has been possible in this place since 1969 when the resort was opened. Dizin is located in the Alborz Mountain Range and it is one of the highest ski resorts in the world. They have ski lifts that can take you to an altitude of almost 12,000 feet above sea level. The slopes here and as well as the gondola are segregated, one side for women and one side for men. It is also illegal here for men and women to share a gondola.
14. Mount Ruapehu – New Zealand
Mount Ruapehu is also known as Mount Doom because of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. It is an active volcano that rises from lowland rain forest to a snow-covered, alpine zone. There are two ski resorts here, one is Turoa and the other one is Whakapapa. It has a breathtaking view and from the top, you can see down into the crater lake. Skiing in New Zealand is also very affordable compared with some European destinations. The ski season here is from early July to October.
15. Mzaar Kfardebian – Lebanon
There are six ski resorts in Lebanon and Mzaar is the country’s biggest and most popular one. It is only 28 miles away from Beirut. It offers 42 slopes and 50 miles of ski tracks during the four months snow season. After skiing, you can also visit other sceneries such as the Stone Bridge which is naturally water-crafted, the Roman temple ruins, and rock-cut tombs in nearby Faqra.
These are some of the unlikely ski locations you can visit on your next skiing adventure. These locations will definitely give you a new and unique ski experience. So, which of these ski locations would you like to visit soon?