The world is not our oyster at the moment, but the travel times we dream of may not be too far off now. In the phased plan out of the pandemic announced last month by Scott Morrison, a cautious return of outbound international travel to countries considered safe will be introduced when we hit 80% of the population vaccinated. Although it might seem a faraway fantasy as we endure another lockdown extension we could be heading to some of our favourite Northern Hemisphere resorts in early 2022.
So which destinations will be considered safe? Travel bubbles are most likely only to be introduced with countries that have high levels of local vaccinations and ongoing safety protocols in place.
We are already receiving booking enquiries from eager and optimistic travellers keen to ensure they don’t miss out on the coming season. Read on for our snow travel experts’ top five picks of the resorts expected to bounce back fastest – the destinations that are likely to be the most in demand with Australians, with comprehensive safety plans and high vaccination rates.
We would love to help bring your snow dreams to life. Reach out for a free travel consultation on [email protected] and be ready for when borders open!
OUR TOP PICKS OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESORTS AUSTRALIANS WILL TRAVEL TO IN 2022
Niseko, Japan
One of the best known and largest ski areas in Japan, Niseko comprises four resorts – Grand Hirafu, Hanazono, Niseko Village and Annupuri, which are interlinked and can be accessed by a single lift pass. One of the big drawcards for Australian snow lovers is the copious amounts of light, dry powder and an average annual snowfall of 15 metres, which makes it a holiday haven for beginners and thrill-seekers alike. The resort has some remarkable back country skiing with off-piste touring, wide open bowls and tree runs. The main village at the base of Grand Hirafu, boasts everything you would expect in an international resort – an amazing choice of dining options, from upmarket Michelin star restaurants to small family run izakaya’s, all serving the very best of Hokkaido’s local produce. There are plenty of activities to be enjoyed in the Niseko area including snow tubing, snow shoeing and traditional Onsens. The majestic Mt. Yotei dominates the skyline, making the scenery something that will stay with you long after you return home.
To really make up for that lost time on the snow, we recommend combining your trip to Niseko with a stay at the nearby resorts of Rusutsu and/or Tomamu. There are also some incredible day tour options from Niseko to the smaller resort of Moiwa.
Whistler, Canada
A firm favourite with Aussie travellers, Whistler’s unmatched alpine terrain, rugged Canadian beauty, the endless options of the village, a passionate community and refined experiences give it a magnetic pull that keeps us coming back again and again.
The legendary snow mecca, and down-to-earth mountain town is just a two-hour drive from Vancouver along the awe-inspiring Sea to Sky Highway. It’s a place of striking natural beauty and world-class infrastructure, with incredible accommodation offerings, two side-by-side mountains with the largest area of skiable terrain in North America, world-class shopping and dining, and a huge range of off-mountain activities for the whole family including dog-sledding, tube parks, ice-skating, zip lining and sleigh rides.
Zermatt, Switzerland
This internationally renowned resort with the iconic Matterhorn dominating its skyline has managed to retain its rustic charm with narrow streets of boutique shops, restaurants and chalets. The village is cosmopolitan and stylish, with a ban on cars contributing to a magical atmosphere of twinkling lights and horse drawn sleighs. The skiing in Zermatt is varied with an even balance of gentle and difficult slopes with breathtaking black runs offering exhilarating powder skiing and off-piste terrain, while the gentler slopes are wide and groomed to perfection. For winter 2020, Zermatt introduced the new Kumme lift which is the first fully automatic gondola in Switzerland, running from Tufternkehr at 2215 metres to the Unterrothorn at 3103 metres.
Aspen, USA
As one of North America’s largest combined ski areas, Aspen offers world-class skiing and snowboarding for all levels, an incredible ski school, kids ‘Elk Camp’ with tubing and mountain coaster, and a dedicated beginners mountain, Buttermilk. People flock from around the world to enjoy the famous après ski bars and dine in world class restaurants, as well as experience high profile events such as the Winter X Games which take place every winter.
Aspen is comprised of four incredible mountains – Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, all accessible on the one lift pass and connected by free shuttle. One of our favourite things about Aspen and why we recommend it to our travellers is the consistently good weather -Winter temperatures are very mild (typically above 5ºC) and Colorado averages over 300 days of sunshine and blue skies annually.
Hakuba, Japan
One of Japan’s premier alpine destinations, Hakuba Village is the gateway to ten amazing resorts set in the heart of the Japanese Alps, all accessible with a single lift pass. With access to over 200 runs, Hakuba Valley offers world-class skiing and snowboarding for all levels, with amazing powder runs and exceptional groomed runs.
Beyond the incredible skiing and amazing scenery, Hakuba is blessed with abundant geothermal activity, and has some of the country’s best natural hot spring baths. Relaxing in the soothing mineral waters of an outdoor natural onsen while snowflakes flutter down from above truly is the best way to end a long day of skiing, sightseeing or shopping.
An easy Shinkansen ride from Tokyo, Hakuba is close to the exciting regional city of Nagano and nearby to a number of other incredible resorts in the Japanese Alps, including Shiga Kogen, Myoko Kogen, Nozawa Onsen and Lotte Arai – meaning there is a vast array of options for an extended stay exploring all this incredible region has to offer.
