Website Of The Week – 1Ski.com
WWW.1Ski.com is definitely the new guide to skiing on the web. It’s an encyclopaedia of up to date information on everything from flights to weather conditions through to the latest bargains, and covers pretty much all the resorts in Europe and North America, from Caingorm to Sugarloaf.
There’s all the stuff you’d expect to find in a guide book : would-be travellers can check out creche facilities and general child-friendliness, adjust themselves to the prices or decide what evening wear to pack (jacket and tie is de rigeur in St Moritz) all without leaving the computer.
Even better, each resort comes with a quick guide to the atmosphere, so if you want to join in the high life, head straight to Cortina, where they play polo, eat in fantastic restaurants and all take part in a ‘people-watching parade’. On the other hand, if what you’re looking for is the idyll of peaceful skiing away from hordes of tourists, you could try out Gressoney (so addictive that I know someone who turned up late for his marriage because he couldn’t bear to leave the slopes ). Or if you want to try the thrill of skiing at night-time why not go to Kranjski Gora? (It’s in Slovenia, and no, there isn’t a war on ).
Even if you’re a complete beginner and just want to find a somewhere where it won’t hurt too much if you fall over, this site can still cater for you as it lets you choose resorts according to difficulty level, and helps you to find out what the teaching facilities are like.
Still, this website isn’t quite perfect; but then, are they ever ?
The graphics are clear enough, but rather drab – in fact there are hardly any photographs – and it’s a struggle to remember how clear and wonderful skiing is while delving through all the terribly efficient lists and tables.
The Newsline verdict is : www.1ski.com is essential if you’re planning a skiing holiday – especially if it’s your first time on the slopes. Don’t bother if all you want to do is fantasise about snow and apres-ski while spending another Christmas at home with your parents in Lancashire. You’ll just get depressed as you remember exactly why you can’t afford to go abroad.