Quirky Guide

There are lots of reasons why people usually choose to head for the famous mainstream resorts when they want to go on a skiing retreat. The facilities are generally top notch, and the slopes are usually magnificent. Also, it can be quite inexpensive to go to more established resorts; especially with firms like Alpine Elements offering deals to places like the French Alps if you book online (visit their site for ski holidays).

However, if you want to go somewhere a little more unusual, there are some really pretty wacky ski resorts out there if you look hard enough. Here are some of the more exciting examples.

If you are after a real James Bond style skiing experience, Pic du Midi in the French Pyrenees is just the place for it. At the top of the mountain is a giant space age observatory that looks every inch the secret hideaway of some evil genius or other. The building has quite a history, and was involved in the Apollo moon missions, although nowadays most of the building has been converted into holiday apartments.

Mount Olympus on the island of Cyprus might be more famous as the home of the Greek gods, but it is also home to an excellent ski resort, with four surface lifts named in honour of Zeus, Hermes, Aphrodite and Hera. People have been skiing here since the 1930s, with no reported thunderbolt incidents to date, although you can never be too careful when Zeus is around!

Morocco is not exactly famous for its ski resorts, but it does have Mischliffen, sometimes known as the Aspen of Morocco. The king of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has one of his palaces here, and while the facilities are astonishingly basic, the slopes themselves are in great condition and are well worth a visit for the more adventurous skier.

If you really want to get off the beaten track, though, you should check out Hole in the Wall in Mammoth, California. This stunning geological formation can be a little hard to access, as there are no chair lifts, but if you can get there, the scenery is truly astounding and the skiing experience is truly unique.