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Cover Image: Zakopane, Poland | Above Image: Mt Parnassos, Greece

When most people think of skiing in Europe they think of the Alps and the famous skier resorts of Switzerland, France and Austria. But other European nationals have impressive mountains and wonderful ski centers. Here are a look at five European alternatives to skiing in the Alps.

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Image: Parnassos ski resort

Greece 

Skiing is probably not the first think that jumps to mind when thinking about skiing but on Greece’s Mythical mountain tops ski centers make Gods of mere mortals. On Mt. Parnassos, Zeus granted Deukalion’s wishes and the human race was created anew. Ski the runs on a mountain that stole the glory from Mt. Olympus as it was linked with the worship of god Apollo, and the establishment of the Oracle of Delphi.

Cost: An adult day ticket at the hight of the season will set you back $27 Euros.

Getting here: 15 ski areas are peppered across Greece making it easy to reach a slope from anywhere in Greece.

Bansko Ski Resort – Bulgaria

Bulgaria

Skiing in Bulgaria dates back to a 1896 when the ski resort Borovets unofficially opened. Today there are four main ski resorts in Bulgaria – BorovetsBanskoPamporova and Vitosha.

The majority of skiers hitting the slops in Bulgaria are Europeans looking for a cheaper alternative to the pricy resorts of the Alps. There’s a reasonable selection of on-mountain accommodation – some ‘old’ Bulgaria, some a little more modern.

Cost: A six day adult pass costs around US$160.

Getting here: Sofia is the easiest point of access for the ski resorts in Bulgaria.

Zakopane, Poland

Poland

The ski scene in Poland is fairly established but a lack of infrastructure keeps Poland flying under the radar of many skiers. But what the ski centers lack in infrastructure is made up for in cheap lift tickets, uncrowded slopes and some of the best vodka in the world. Check out this video of some backcounty splitborading from Poland – Powder Splitboarding in Poland?

Cost: Food and accommodation in Poland is still great value. Lift tickets = $9

Getting here: Most skiers choose to fly into Krakow and Katowice before heading up to the mountains.

Blafjoll, Iceland

Iceland

Most of the mountains in Iceland struggle to top 1,500 metres (about 5,000 feet) and are notorious for receiving wet/heavy snow.

The ski center of Blafjoll is located just a half an hour the the Icelandic capital, Reykjava­k. But the real reason to lug your skis to Iceland is to take in the stunning scenery and unique character of the place.

Cost: Lift tickets will only set you back around $20 but a beer might cost you more than half that.

Getting here: Iceland is an easy three hour flight from London and only a four hour flight from Boston.

Romania

Romania

Romania is one of the best value skiing destinations in Europe. Its mountains may not be as extensive as the Alps, but they do receive an abundance of snowfall that will stick around well into May.

The key ski resorts in Romania are Poiana Brasov and Sinaia. Both are located close to the city of Bucharest.

Sinaia is the bigger of the two resorts. Two cable cars take riders to the highest point of the mountain – just over 2,000 metres (6,651 feet), making the longest run home about 1,000 metres (3,280 feet) in descent and around 6 kms (9.6 miles) long.

Cost: A lift ticket in Romania starts at around $10, while nice accommodations will run you $50

Getting here: Bucharest is the main access point for ski resorts in Romania.

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