SNOW & SUN

Sink or Swim

It’s not too early to tan, nor is it too late to ski. So where will you be heading this spring? By Caroline Milns

MARCH and April may traditionally herald the changing of the seasons, but for the canny traveller these months present a fantastic opportunity to make the best of the old and get a first bite at the new. Spring is not only a chance to enjoy sun-soaked skiing and long lunches on high mountain peaks, but beach fans can get a headstart on base tans.

AT VAL THORENS YOU CAN
EXPLORE FAR AND WIDEThe first rule in late skiing is to aim high – head for the glaciers or the frozen north. Sun-lovers, meanwhile, should fly south in search of deserted beaches, crystal-clear waters and early tanning opportunities.

Val Thorens

Europe’s highest ski resort is always a safe late-season bet. Many of the slopes are north-facing, meaning they hold their snow well. The resort itself sits up at 2,300m, but the skiing drops down to 1,800m in the local area and 1,300m across the Three Valleys, giving you about 2,000m of vertical.

In good conditions, you can explore far and wide but, if the snow is limited, you’re in the right place. Check out the tartiflette for lunch at the Chalets des 2 Lacs (tel: +33 (0)4 7900 2854) and swig an afternoon beer at the Red Fox.

Malta

DIVE THE CRYSTAL-
CLEAR DEPTHS OF THE
MEDITERRANEAN

Spring in Malta and its sister islands, Gozo and Comino, means either admiring the stunning scenery – in the footsteps of St Paul – and admiring 7,000 years of history, or relaxing on the beach and diving into the crystal-clear depths of the Mediterranean Sea.

Culture fans can check out the megalithic temples and Rabat catacombs, while those of a more sporty persuasion can get an awe-inspiring aerial view by paragliding along the coast. Foodies should check out the Sunday morning fishing market at Marsaxlokk.

Cervina

Cervinia is a late-season favourite for intermediates looking for mile after mile of cruising on long, wide groomers. There’s not much to really test the expert skier, but there are a couple of excellent mountain restaurants – the Chalet Etoile is a must-visit. The snow-sure link with Zermatt is a real bonus and when there is no snow on the shared Klein Matterhorn glacier in April, it’s time for us all to pack up our ski boots for good.

Developed and renamed by Mussolini as a symbol of Italy’s fascist strength (previously it was called Breuil), modern life in Cervinia is far more welcoming. Though the resort is not an alpine beauty, being high above the tree line at over 2,000m, there are little pockets of aprèsski warmth like the Dragon Bar, tel: +39 (0)166 948085, and the Yeti, tel: +39 (0)166 949196, and the standard of restaurants is high. Make sure you check out the pizzas at the Casse Croute, tel: +39 (0)166 948783.

Cool Gear

Burton Audex Dipstick Hat

€57, www.burton.com Ski to the beat and keep your head warm with this new dipped beanie from Burton.

Motorola T4502 Twin Pack

€40, Buy it on board! p.117 Ditch your mobile and use a two-way walkie-talkie to track down your mates on the slopes. They’re much more reliable up mountains where mobile signals may vary — and the novelty factor is unbeatable.

Salomon X-Wing helmet

€179, www.salomonsports.com This 2-in-1 terrain helmet features removable ear pads and a neoprene mask for adapting to any mountain challenge.

Pulgia

Sitting quietly on the Adriatic coast on the heel of Italy, Puglia is an unsung hero of off-the-beaten-track tourism. As well as having crystal-clear waters, it is home to thousands of olive groves, producing two-thirds of Italy’s olive oil.

Historically a vital trading post and a port of call to Crusaders heading east, today it is defined by timeless cities and a beautifully untouched stretch of coastline.

Head south to the wonderfully preserved baroque city of Lecce or carry on to the tiny fishing village of Santa Maria di Leuca, known as the “end of the world” in ancient times. Having been conquered by everyone from the Spanish to the Greeks, today it’s a great place to avoid invasions of the tourist variety.

SPRING IS DEFINITELY THE
TIME TO VISIT AS THE RESORT
COMES OUT OF ITS MIDWINTER
CHILL

Hemsedal

Norway may be more famous for cross-country skiing, but Hemsedal has the best downhill skiing in the country, along with some steep terrain, well-served by an eight-seater chair. It’s a great place for learning to ski, but also has one of the best terrain parks in Europe.

The main park has a vertical of over 600m, with two half-pipes and a quarter-pipe, while the secondary park is good for learning the ropes. You can also take part in snowmobiling and dog-sledding. Spring is a good time to visit, as the resort comes out of its mid-winter chill.

The après-ski is quiet during the week but gets lively at the weekend with visitors from Oslo. Check out the Skogstad Piano Bar, tel: +47 3205 5000.

SWIM WITH THE FISH AROUND
THE VOLCANIC ROCK
FORMATIONS

Tenerife

Long renowned as a winter sun favourite, there’s a lot more to the island than the Playa de las Américas. On land, Masca is a must-visit village, and a beautiful sight at its perilous position on the side of a ravine. Alternatively, check out the hikes on the remote north of the island away from the tourist beaches.

You can surf the waves off the black sands of Roque Beach, or swim with the fish around the volcanic rock formations. To get a taste of local food, rub shoulders with the locals over a glass of Tenerife wine at any of the low-key “guachinches” eateries.