Beyond La Tania: 3 of the Best Olympic Ski Resorts To Visit

After the success of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, the surrounding region started to receive a lot more attention from travellers seeking a winter getaway. In particular, the La Tania region capitalised on this interest and turned itself into a popular family-friendly ski resort destination. A lot of places around the world have seen similar trends emerge after hosting the Winter Olympics, which means that holidaymakers have a plethora of ski resorts to choose from.

#1: Whistler Blackcomb, Canada (2010 Winter Olympics)

One of those resorts is Whistler Blackcomb, widely considered one of the best in the world. Found in the stunning Coast Mountains of Canada’s British Columbia, this resort hosted events in downhill, slalom, and giant slalom back in 2010’s Winter Olympics. 

One of the best features of Whistler Blackcomb is the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. It spans an impressive 4.4 kilometres between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and even holds a world record. The distance makes it the longest unsupported cable car span, and as you might imagine, the views are incredible. 

Skiers and snowboarders of all abilities can find something suitable here, with the upgraded facilities post-Olympics now providing greater access to over 8,000 acres of ski terrain. These new upgrades include attractions like the Cloudraker Skybridge, one of the highest pedestrian bridges in North America.

#2: Chamonix, France (1924 Winter Olympics)

Next up is a ski town and resort near Mount Blanc in France, only a few hours from La Tania. Chamonix is situated in the French Alps, and it was the host of the first-ever Winter Olympics 100 years ago. The legacy of this site remains strong, with many visitors flocking to Chamonix’s slopes each ski season.

One major benefit of Chamonix is that it’s easily accessible, and cheap flights are almost always available owing to a multitude of airways covering flight paths to the area. It’s worth noting that, despite being in France, the nearest airport is actually Geneva Airport, which is renowned for being well-connected. When you look at flights with Opodo, for example, you’ll see plenty of flights on this route from carriers like Air France and Lufthansa. Upon arrival, you won’t have to worry about trekking far as Chamonix is only about 100 kilometres away.

Although Chamonix does offer a range of slopes suitable for all skill levels, it’s renowned for its challenging and extreme skiing opportunities. The famous Vallée Blanche glacier run is a perfect example of this, where skiers traverse a huge 20-kilometre descent. While beginners are welcome at Chamonix, it’s sometimes quite intimidating for novices, so it might be best to try elsewhere for your first ski trip.

#3: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy (1956 Winter Olympics)

Number three on the list is Cortina d’Ampezzo, located in Italy’s Dolomite mountains. This resort gained international fame when it hosted the Winter Olympics back in 1956, an event that marked a transformative period for Cortina.

Cortina is very unique, as is evidenced by the fact that UNESCO declared the region a World Natural Heritage Area back in 2009. The Dolomites region is generally well known for its dramatic scenery, and the diverse terrain of Cortina has created some very challenging skiing trails. This means that safety is important, including following any specific laws that the Italian government has in place.

Something else that’s interesting about Cortina is that it has also long been considered Italy’s winter playground for the elite. So, if you feel like rubbing shoulders with Italian high society, this might be the perfect resort for you.

The Winter Olympics has led to many different regions investing in infrastructure to bring tourists to the area with great success. Each resort mentioned offers something a little bit different, blending history and world-class skiing. Whether it’s La Tania or one of the others that you pick, it’s hard to go wrong.