The skiing destination – near and far – you’ll find us at this winter…

Short Haul

Mzaar, Lebanon

An hour outside of Beirut you’ll find Mzaar, Lebanon’s most popular – and scenic – ski resort. Here, the mountain peaks are covered in an impressive blanket of snow from December until early April, providing the perfect backdrop for some 80kms of runs. Whether you get your thrills skiing or snowboarding, this ski resort is filled with largely easy runs for you to take on as you soak up the surroundings, with some more moderate and a small selection of difficult slopes for the experienced winter sports fans.

Stay: Situated right on the slopes, the five-star InterContinental Mzaar Hotel offers ski-in, ski-out comfort so guests are right in the heart of the action. Couple that with a best-in-class spa, indoor swimming pool, four lane bowling alley and even a private cinema, and you’ve got yourself a spectacular snowy escape.
Doubles from Dhs423, icmzaar.com

Get there: Fly from Dubai to Beirut with flydubai from Dhs1,700 return. flydubai.com

Gudauri, Georgia

While Georgia might not be the first country that comes to mind for your winter ski trip, this Eastern European destination has become increasingly popular with UAE residents looking to make the snowy peaks their playground thanks to its affordable accommodation and close proximity to the emirates. The country’s best ski resort is Gudauri in the Greater Caucasus mountains, thanks to its high elevation and impressive snow depth reaching 2.5 metres. But outside of skiing there’s plenty to enjoy, with exhilarating experiences like snowtubing, heliskiing and free riding all on offer on the slopes. Then there’s the burgeoning food and wine scene to experience, with a growing influx of hotels, restaurants and bars adding to the area.

Stay: In the heart of this winter wonderland, Gudauri Lodge offers a cosy mountain stay but with a lively vibe. After a day of getting your thrills on the slopes, retreat to the pampering comforts of the spa with an afternoon in the bubbling jacuzzi, or ski straight onto the terrace for warming comfort dishes backdropped by the snowcapped mountains.
Doubles from Dhs884, gudaurilodge.ge

Get there: Fly from Dubai to Tbilisi with flydubai from Dhs1,375 return. flydubai.com

Amirsoy, Uzbekistan

Amirsoy might just be the next best ski destination you’ve never heard of. While it might not have the biggest offering, with 15km of slopes to tackle, this ski resort in the Tashkent region is a modern, underrated destination for snow-based fun. Gondola, chair and belt lifts transport those spending their days sliding down the mountain side on skis and snowboards. The area is still under development, but you can check in to one of 38 Alpine-inspired chalets, relax in a zen-inducing spa complex, and dine at a choice of two restaurants. So, for a short ski break, you’ll have everything you need.

Stay: Offering a cosy, Alpine-inspired aesthetic, the wooden abodes at Le Chalet by Amirsoy were designed for group getaways, with chalets for four, six and eight set along the mountainside. Each comes with a TV, minibar, and flickering fireplace indoors, while the private terrace is the ideal space to gather and admire the views of the snowy peaks that surround you.
Chalets from Dhs890, amirsoy.com

Get there: Fly from Sharjah to Tashkent with Air Arabia from Dhs2,210 return. airarabia.com

Long haul

Megève, France

What Megève lacks in elevation, it makes up for with fabulous scenery and incredible cuisine. Skip the starriest French ski resorts for this quaint resort on the southeast border, that has managed to retain its old-world charm despite its increasing popularity. It’s a winter wonderland of 450 kilometres of slopes spread over four massifs, so there’s runs for all abilities, and with relatively low elevation, much of the skiing takes place on beautiful tree-lined slopes with spectacular views of Mont Blanc. Off the pistes, party people can look forward to a regular rotation of events at La Folie Douce, and some 60 restaurants await gourmands, from Michelin star meals to festive dinner parties at favourites including Verde and Le Piaf.

Stay: A magical getaway in the Alps doesn’t come much more exciting for snow-seekers than Four Seasons Hotel Megève. With ski-in and ski-out access first unveiled in 2021, you’d think it couldn’t be easier for winter sports fans to make the most of the snowy peaks on their doorstep. But Four Seasons’ guests even benefit from a unique ski concierge to handle all of their ski-based needs. After a day on the slopes, take a dip in the indoor pool with awe-inspiring views of Mont Blanc, taste your way through the 15,000 vintages in the wine cellar, or simply snuggle up with a hot chocolate.
Doubles from Dhs6,618, fourseasons.com

Get there: Fly from Dubai to Geneva with Emirates from Dhs3,015 return. emirates.com

Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Long considered among the capitals of five-star skiing the twin towns of Crans and Montana have been the ski destination of choice for celebrities including John Travolta and Robert De Niro. The ski area is split into four areas: the family area, fun area, glacier area and the nature area, and at its highest the Plaine Morte Glacier peaks at 3,000 metres. Away from the skiing, there’s ample other experiences to try, like dog sledding with huskies and hiking the breathtaking glaciers. There’s a vibrant social scene to discover too, with 20 restaurants and a legendary apres-ski scene at Cry d’Er Club d’Altitude.

Stay: A glitzy new arrival on the Crans-Montana hotel scene is Six Senses Crans-Montana, debuting this December. Stick to the brand’s roots and retreat tired legs to the Six Senses Spa, where facilities range from a rooftop hot tub to bio-hacking programs. Dine at Wild Cabin, a ski-in, ski-out all-day brasserie on the open-air terrace, or break from the winter wonderland at Byakko, an ode to contemporary Japanese cuisine.
Doubles from Dhs5,249, sixsenses.com

Get there: Fly from Dubai to Geneva with Emirates from Dhs3,015 return. emirates.com

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

A destination that looks as though it’s been plucked straight from a movie set, Cortina dAmpezzo brings La Dolce Vita to the Dolomites. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a 120km ski area of 86 pistes, the majestic peaks of this stylish ski resort draw crowds from late November until mid-April. There are three unmissable ski areas: Faloria-Cristallo, Tofane and Lagazuoi-Cinque Torri-Giau, each with its own personality, so whether you’re new to the sport or wishing to take on the slopes of the Women’s World Cup, you’ll find runs to put through your paces. After a day on the snow, it’s straight to the legendary street of Corso Italia for its brilliant retail therapy, excellent wine bars and endless array of restaurants.

Stay: A luxurious Nordic retreat in the heart of the dolomites, Faloria Mountain Spa Resort fuses Italian hospitality with local traditions. Guest rooms are comfortable and contemporary, there’s a romantic restaurant serving regional Italian cuisine, and when you’re not skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering or snow trekking, there’s an aperipool for drinking in the surroundings, cocktail in hand.
Doubles from Dhs1,102, faloriasparesort.com

Get there: Fly from Dubai to Venice with Emirates from Dh3,115. emirates.com

Images: Supplied and Getty