#kranjska-gora

#kranjska-gora

The Theth-Valbonë trail in Albania connects two breathtaking national parks via a scenic mountain pass, suitable for all kinds of hikers.

"The glacier itself has since 1996 melted continuously. Today the glacier is 300 meters (1,000 feet) from the original lift entrance, and there is now a large lake between the glacier and the original entrance. You would need a boat to access it in summer."

The race is a 7.3-kilometer race that combines a downhill component with uphill sprints and an obstacle finish at the end, attracting 555 skiers and snowboarders.

The pond skim in Slovenia was marked by a chaotic moment when an inflatable boat crashed into an Elan Sports tent, yet everyone involved seemed to be just fine.

Albania is a hidden gem in Europe, known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality. From the pristine beaches of the Albanian Riviera to the rugged peaks of the Accursed Mountains, there's something for every traveler.

"At the top of that lift, I met my travel companion ( Travel + Leisure's own Nina Ruggiero), where we dined at Schafalm, a ski hut so charming, you'd think it was a movie set thanks to its crackling fireplace in the center, cedar walls, and lederhosen-wearing staff. "Are you guys going to the concert tonight?" three more strangers-turned-friends asked as BSB blared over the speakers, sitting down to join us for our cocoa break."

The Olympic version is a fast-paced race that typically lasts three to four minutes. It's a combination that consists of an ascent with skins - grippy, removable strips competitors use on the bottom of their skis - a section of steep terrain in which competitors carry their skis, and a final fast descent on a manicured, gate-marked slope featuring jumps, bumps and banked turns.

Italy's finest ski resorts are often overshadowed by their French and Swiss equivalents. Pity really, as their piste-side rifugi lunches are a divine alchemy of Mediterranean and Alpine cuisine, their hotels, chalets, sunny terrace lunches and ski passes sit at a more civilised price point than the wildly expensive Swiss and French resorts, and their well-connected ski areas wiggle across great swathes of map.

The city is remarkably walkable - there will be no need to take public transit or taxis once you've dropped your bags at your hotel - but there are a few key things to know when visiting Skopje, including the best places to get rakija, the historical sites that'll help you understand the country better and where to find the best speakeasy-adjacent casinos.

Both avid and casual skiers know that winter requires preparation. If you want to ski as many days as possible, you must have a game plan. After all, skiing is an expensive sport, so budget is typically one of the top considerations. But before you book flights, hotels, and lift tickets, or decide if you want to invest in an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, you'll need to identify which ski resorts you want to explore over the course of a few months.

World Cup leader Marco Odermatt had a chance to effectively secure the 2025-26 season Giant Slalom crystal globe ahead of the Finals, but Lucas Pinheiro Braathen spoiled those plans with a commanding performance, claiming victory and dramatically tightening the discipline standings.

Although these attractions are beautiful, the crowds they drew during my trip put a damper on the experience. I preferred sights like the Lagazuoi Tunnels, Monte Civetta, and Cinque Torri, all of which were less touristy but still had equally showstopping views and hikes.

Whitefish/Kalispell, Montana: United Airlines has expanded its direct service from San Francisco to Glacier Park International Airport, a short drive to world-class Whitefish Mountain Resort and the smaller, family-owned Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. You won't find either on the Epic or Icon passes, which means fewer skiers and shorter lift lines. The proximity to Flathead Lake, even larger in surface area than Lake Tahoe, also means stunning views and a phenomenon called snow ghosts when ice crystals form on the pines.

Report from February 12, 2026 Deep. Not much else needs to be said. Oh, and 5/5 (Extreme) avalanche danger.

Mt. Baker is the PNW's snow vacuum. It's close enough to the Pacific to get storm after storm, and the North Cascades do what they do best: force moist air straight up, wring it out, and bury everything in sight. Maritime storms roll in wet and heavy, then pile up fast when they hit terrain.