New multi-centre itineraries from Maloob Active offer an exhilarating alternative to the standard ski holiday

Love the slopes but crave more excitement from your annual escape? This season, swap a week or two of the ‘same old, same old’ for a snow-fuelled ski safari.

 

New for the 2010 ski season, Maloob Active – the winter division of Baobab Expeditions - introduces a range of multi-centre itineraries across Europe, Japan, the USA and Canada that truly bring back the element of exploration to a winter sports holiday. Combining two or more world-renowned resorts in each country, a ski safari allows snow fans to venture further afield, either as part of a self-drive or fully-guided trip, and discover the exhilaration of some spectacular mountainous terrains.

 

Maloob Active is currently the only operator offering ski safaris in Austria (the Arlberg Region, Flachau, Gastein Valley, Kaprun Glacier, Kitzbühel, Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, Saalbach Hinterglem, Schladming, Silvretta Arena, Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental & Zell am See), France (Chamonix, Courchevel, Les Saisies, Megève & Val D’Isère) and Italy (Aosta, Alta Badia, Cervinia, Cortina d’Ampezzo & Courmayeur). Its European programme also features classic Switzerland, where Maloob Active’s choice of resorts includes Arosa, Davos-Klosters, Films Laax, St Moritz & Zermatt.

 

Looking for longer haul? USA options include Heavenly, Mammoth, Park City, Steamboat, Snowboard, Squaw Valley, Vail and Winter Park while Canadian choices range from better-known resorts such as Whistler/Blackcomb and Banff to the snow fields of Kicking Horse, Silver Star and Sun Peaks. Always wanted to try skiing or snowboarding in Japan? Maloob Active suggests a nine-night itinerary combining Shigakogen, Yudanaka and Hakuba, finishing each energetic day on the mountain with an open-air spring bath set against awesome oriental winter scenery.

 

Opt for a self-drive ski safari and set your own pace, ably assisted by Maloob Active which will book all flights, accommodation and extras according to the tastes and technical ability of the individual or group. As well as an all-terrain vehicle, each self-drive itinerary includes a detailed briefing of the route plus driving instructions and maps, offering independence but with an all important back-up plan.

 

Or why not treat yourself to a guided ski safari, leaving all the arrangements to an accompanying Maloob Active expert while you focus on perfecting parallels and enjoying on après ski?  Depending on the resorts chosen – and budget available – transfers can be either by 4x4, train, ‘plane or even helicopter, ensuring that on and off-piste enthusiasts spend as much time as possible at each set of slopes.

 

Maloob Active can tailor-make a ski safari to suit all abilities and most pockets, using accommodation ranging from characterful budget properties to luxuriously decadent hotels. The lead-in price for a two-centre self-guided itinerary this season is £918 pp (two sharing) including six nights’ half-board accommodation in Austria – three in St Moritz and three in Davos – a five-day lift pass and car hire. Flights are extra.