iBooknow.com Announces Room Availability For The 2012-2013 Ski And Snowboarding Season In The Alps

iBooknow.com has instantly confirmed hotel accommodations across the Alps for the 2012 - 2013 ski and snowboarding season. Book early and get the deepest discounts available without any hidden charges or fees. Secure a room slope side and enjoy a world class winter sports holiday.

iBooknow.com knows that as summer draws to a close, the autumn air starts to chill, and the anticipation of the first snows of the year approach, skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts start to plan their ski season holidays. What better place to go skiing then in the picturesque Alps. Stretching across Europe from Austria and Slovenia through the continent to France, the Alps provide skiers with hundreds of resorts both large and small. Being the home to the winter Olympics in France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria this region is world renowned for its challenging winter sport.

The Alps are also rich in history and the various cultures within their region. The old styles of farming, cheese making, wine and schnapps production, and the preparation of national foods have always been a part of why over a120 million tourists a year travel the Alps, as well as the winter sports.

Tourists first began frequenting the Alps back during the 19^th century. At that time summer activates were a major draw with spas, mineral springs, and health clinics being popular destinations. As technology advanced, and it became easier for visitors to get to the higher elevations in the Alps, the ski industry flourished as the 20th century began. The first ski-lift was installed in 1908 above Grindelwald. Alpine skiing got a further boost of notoriety when the 1924 Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France; the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland; and the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. In later years the Winter Games have been held in St. Moritz (1948), Innsbruck, Austria (1964 and 1976), Grenoble, France, (1968), Albertville, France, (1992), and Torino, Italy, (2006). Each of these towns is a great destination for skiers. Not only can they ski the same slopes and trails as the Olympians did, the facilities and attractions in these destinations are some of the finest to be found across Europe and the Alps.

There is a very good system of cooperation between most of the ski areas in the Alps and multi-access passes to the ski areas can be purchased that allow for enthusiasts to ski more than one area. Some areas are so large that they are accessible from more than one village. Many skiers like to go on a ski “safari” and visit several ski areas on one holiday.  Here is a brief list of what some skiers consider to be some of the best areas in the Alps:

• Zermatt, Valais: Zermatt has always been on every skiers list of places to go. A unique feature about Zermatt is that no cars are allowed within the village and this makes for a very nice authentic atmosphere. Zermatt also has good high elevation which assures good snow throughout the season. The Matter Horn is also nearby.
• St Anton, Austria: With claims on being one of the oldest ski resort areas in the Alps, St Anton has been a skiers mecca for decades. It is also home to the first ski club in the alps, having been established in 1901.
• St Christoph, Austria: This area is located in the Arlberg Road region, and it is known for its ski training center and luxury hotels and restaurants. Two other ski resorts within this common area are Lech and Zürs.
• Innsbruck, Austria:  Innsbruck is a place for skiers and non-skiers alike. The slopes are predominantly for intermediate skiers, and those who are beginners or experts tend to ski elsewhere. Innsbruck is also popular because it has easy access to its airport, the city is rich in history, it is the capitol of the Tyrol and the food is some of the best Alpine fare anywhere
• Megeve, Haute-Savoie: Better known for its quaint Alpine look, high-end shopping and food, this village is great for families who.l, and wish to spend time doing other things and not just skiing. Tyro
• Avoriaz, Haute-Savoie: Another village where cars are not allowed and the village is a part of the ski area itself, Avoriaz is a favorite of the younger crowd and teenagers.
• Chamonix, Haute-Savoie: Chamonix has been famous since the Olympics were held there. Some of the highest elevations for skiing in the Alps have attracted expert skiers for decades. The views of Mount Blanc are worth the trip in and of themselves.
• Flaine,. France: A purpose-built ski resort, Flaine sits at a high altitude that ensures good snow and skiing and boarding conditions throughout a very long season. With a network of over 80 lifts at Flaine no one wastes their precious holiday time waiting to get back up the mountain. Flaine is also home to one of the largest snowboarding parks in all of Europe, and the entire area has over 265 kilometers of trails, slopes and boarding runs.
• Courchevel 1850, France: Named Courchevel 1850 because it is situated at an elevation of 1,850, it is the highest of five resorts which comprise the resort Courchevel. Because of the numerous runs and slopes within this large resort it is a great destination for skiiers of all skill and a great place for families who wish to vary each days skiing form the next.
• Champery, Portes du Soleil, Valais: Connected to one of the largest skiing complexes in Europe, Les Portes du Soleil, this area is popular with skiers who like to ski as many different runs in a day that they can. This area is so big that parts of it are in France, and some in Switzerland.
• Les Arcs, Bourg Saint Maurice, Savoie: Encompassing a large area that is home to the five separate villages of Bourg Saint Maurice; Les Arcs 1600; Les Arcs 1800; Les Arcs 1950; Les Arcs 2000. Because this area is so vast good skiing is most always available. Skiers need only check the daily weather forecast and choose the area with the most snow.
• Verbier, Switzerland: Famous for its nightlife, and one of the largest ski areas in the Swiss Alps, this ski resort is very popular with people from Geneva.
• Crans-Montana, Valais: Also in Switzerland, this resort is popular for its extremely high altitude skiing and its laid back people.
• Leysin, Vaud: On the smaller side for Alpine resorts, this area is in close proximity to Lausanne and Montreux. Popular with teens for the easy to ski slopes in the winter time, this resort is also a great destination in the summer time because of its music festival.
• L'Alpe-d'Huez, Isere: Known for good skiing, this destination is also a part of the famous Tour de France bicycle race.

A Comprehensive List of Alpine Ski Resorts by Country:

iBooknow.com invites all skiers and boarders to log on to their website and checkout the deeply discounted hotel deals that are now available across Europe and the Alps. Make your holiday plans before the snow flies and assure that you wake up every morning slope side, and within a few minutes of the lift.

AboutiBooknow.com

iBooknow.comwas established in 2008 as a one-stop destination for people wishing to book holidays and business trips around the globe. iBooknow.com offers a wide range of services to our customers, including discounted hotel bookings, car hire and exclusive promotional pricing not found anywhere else through our industry network and partnerships.

From the start, iBooknow.com has always been more than just a travel site. The staff at iBooknow.com care deeply about the reputation of the company, and they will always go the extra mile to ensure that you have a great stay as you travel around the world.

Unlike other travel sites, the prices that iBooknow.com offers include all fees and charges up front. With iBooknow.com, what you see is what you get. iBooknow.com will always make sure that you are getting the cheapest possible room rates, so there is no need to trawl through dozens of sites to find the best available deal.

iBooknow.com has continually grown and progressed to servicing a worldwide clientele who travels globally, but they still treat every customer as if they were a guest in their home. iBooknow.com’s experience servicing traveler’s needs and requests is philosophically local, but global in scope. Travel and Hospitality are their passions.

###

Subjects