Skiing off the beaten slopes

Have you ever skied on an active volcano while admiring the Mediterranean sea? Then head to Sicily and get ready to climb Mount Etna. Standing as the highest (3343 m) and most voluminous active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna offers a multifaceted landscape and a spectacle of colors. Imagine ice and fire, the green of the forest, beside the black of desolate lava fields, all in contrast with the white of everlasting snow-draped summits and with blue waters at the horizon. The summit has four craters, accessible from both the north and south side, that you can choose as primary itinerary, and two ski resorts (Linguaglossa and Nicolosi). 

Strength point: for those seeking the thrill of off-piste skiing, the absence of avalanches or crevasses make Etna your prime destination. 

White snow and cotton candy landscapes, the ski resorts of Hokkaido Island in Japan stand as a global haven for powder enthusiasts, with a very picturesque environment and amazing slopes. Here, the annual snowfall averages an impressive 8 to 15 meters, a pristine, fluffy powdery bounty bestowed by the frigid temperatures, even if the heights are not so elevated. 

There are more than 600 ski resorts in Japan; following ski patrol arrangements, riders can ski freely, even on off-piste routes. A trip to Niseko can give you a lot of excitement and an endless number of surprises, unreal landscapes and ancient traditions, some of the most flavorful après-ski eats and spiritual care, between futuristic cities and volcanoes buried in snow.

Go to the Lofoten Islands, in the Norwegian Sea, to admire unprecedented beauty and Aurora Borealis, while listening to ancient fishermen's stories against the backdrop of an iridescent coloured sky. Experience the thrill of skiing through untouched powder snow, descending from majestic alpine summits to the shores. Here you will be literally surrounded by the sea on all sides and the mountains will appear like pearls in the sea. On these trips you may also spot wildlife such as eagles and seals, and also, incredibly, puffins and seagulls.

Most companies in the region offer skiing tours with local mountain guides in the islands, so you can't go wrong and risk getting lost in the whitened peaks among 4.1 km of slopes. Then you can choose from a number of other special activities, such as exploring the red rorbuer, the old fishermen's houses built on stilts over the sea or delve deep into the art and culture of these magical islands.

Accordint to the Ancient Greek mythology, this Mount was the mansion of the Gods and primarily the home of Zeus, lord of thunderbolts, ruler of the sky and meteorological phenomena. So unsurprisingly, Skolio Peak, the ski-mountaineering summit of Olympus, is also the highest mountain in Greece and the Eldorado for skiers from all over the world. 

Here snow decides for its own sake. Indeed, if you are fortunate enough, the wind ceases, the fog clears and the sun will envelop you to gently accompany your ski descent.

World renowned, in 1966 Ski Portillo was the first South American resort to host the World Ski Championships. In 1978, a skier broke the 199 km per hour barrier. These two facts alone are enough to give an idea of what Ski Portillo has to offer: steep, fast slopes suitable for experienced skiers. Ski Portillo is located off the beaten path and three hours from Santiago in the northeast, nestled in the heart of the Andes. But the surrounding landscape is definitely worth the effort. 

The formidable challenges lie on the southern slopes of the mountain, served by the Roca Jack and El CaraCara lifts, which take skiers up to the majestic Ojos de Agua, a 4222-meter peak full of steep slopes and heart-pounding freeride lines. On the north side, the Garganta and Condor lift caters to those seeking the most demanding powder fields on the northern face. Whichever you choose, be prepared: Portillo is known for being steep and exciting.