The largest ski resort in the world, without competition, is Les 3 Vallées in France with the major villages Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Meribel and Courchevel. Les 3 Vallées has 600 km of piste which no other linked ski area is close to.
In terms of general skiing conditions, the worlds' best ski resort has to be Whistler, one of the biggest and best in North America, attracting more skiers than any other resort in the world. The magnificent and highly developed all-round resort of Whlstler-Blackcomb, as it is now referred to, boasts two magical mountains full of amazing glaciers and bowls, incredible high-speed lifts, acres of expert and extreme skiing, together with a bright and vibrant village with immense charm - all key elements for the worlds' best ski resort. In Europe, a contender for the worlds' best ski resort would have to be Chamonix-Mont Blanc - its' notoriously challenging terrain comprising the worlds' biggest vertical of over 2,800m and the longest and best-known run in the Alps stretching for 22km. Some other notable challengers would be the ever-popular Vail, the largest single ski area in the US; Courcheval, offering the best skiing in the extensive Trois Vallees region; Kitzbuhel, for its major ski areas, combined with classic Tyrolean charm and accessibility, and Zermatt, with its' high altitude slopes and fairy-tale beauty.
Off the slopes, the worlds' best ski resorts for apres-ski would feature St. Anton and Val d'Isere for their young and lively non-stop party scene, and Aspen and Cortina, both towns known for vibrant and upscale establishments. For exclusivity and glamour, the worlds' best ski resorts would have to include Gstaad, St Moritz, and Lech - all known for a sophisticated atmosphere, jet-set image and stylish clientele. For all-round family-friendliness, the worlds' best ski resorts should feature the versatile resorts of Breckenridge, Les Arcs and Leysin, offering great facilities and plenty of varied terrain.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Me skiing @ Les 3 Vallées, France
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Kathmandu, Nepal - Swayambhunath Temple
Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. The Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Trees', for the many varieties of trees found on the hill.
For the Buddhists, Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it second only to Boudhanath.
The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose - but is the Nepali symbol of 'unity', in the main Nepali language dialect.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Me vs Annapurna
I think I've never posted a photo of me on Flickr but since I had this one I figured out why not.
1. I enjoy outdoors activities, hiking obviously one of them.
2. Since I made this awesome trek, I really want to climb a 7000m mountain !!!
3. As many people made the confusion during my last travel, I'm not nepali ;)
4. I can't get rid of the "Mantra of Avalokiteshvara" music from my mind since my return. This music can be heard everywhere, everytime in Nepal !!!
5. I live in Paris and I'm not a pilot, neither a traveler journalist ...
6. I don't like thinking of random things about me :-)
7. Ever since I got my D80, about 4 years ago, I've shot maybe 30 000 shots.
8. I love travelling. Maybe you do not know that :-)
9. I'm watching NCIS right now.
10. By the way, thanks for all your kind words and supportive comments on Flickr.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal - Frozen Morning
Annapurna is a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes 8,091 metres (26,545 ft) Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over 7,000 m (22,970 ft) and 16 more over 6,000 m (19,690 ft).
The entire massif and surrounding area are protected within the 7,629 km2 Annapurna Conservation Area, the first and largest conservation area in Nepal. The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to several world-class treks, including the Annapurna Circuit.
The Annapurna peaks are the world's most dangerous mountains to climb although, from figures since 1990, Kangchenjunga surpasses Annapurna's death rate. As of 2007, there had been 153 summit ascents of Annapurna I, and 58 climbing fatalities on the mountain. This fatality to summit ratio (38%) is the highest of any of the eight-thousanders. In particular, the ascent via the south face is considered the most difficult of all climbs.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Lisbon, Portugal - Monasterio de los Jerónimos de Belém
The Hieronymites Monastery is located near the shore of the parish of Belém, in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal. The monastery is one of the most prominent monuments of the Manueline-style architecture in Lisbon, classified in 1983 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Tower of Belém.
The church and the monastery, like the nearby Torre de Belém and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, symbolise the Portuguese Age of Discovery and is among the main tourist attractions of Lisbon.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Kathmandu, Nepal - Boudhanath Temple
Boudhanath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal. Located about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.
The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Lisbon, Portugal - Belém Tower
Belém Tower (in Portuguese Torre de Belém) or the Tower of St Vincent is a fortified tower located in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with the nearby Jerónimos Monastery) because of the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries. The tower was commissioned by King John II to be part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.
The tower was built in the early 16th century and is a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style, but it also incorporates hints of other architectural styles. The structure was built from lioz limestone and is composed of a bastion and the 30 meter (100 foot), four story tower. It has incorrectly been stated that the tower was built in the middle of the Tagus and now sits near the shore because the river was redirected after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In fact, the tower was built on a small island in the Tagus River near the Lisbon shore.