Travel blogger Lamtom: Skiing on the rooftops of Europe.
I embarked on a special trip to Switzerland, exploring the peaks of the Alps. According to mountain maps, the trail from Schynige Platte leads to higher mountains and peaks such as Grindelwald, First, Kleine Scheidegg, Eiger, Mönch, and finally Jungfrau – the roof of Europe and the pride of Switzerland, offering climbing opportunities of all levels, from easy to difficult, for both amateurs and professionals.

I gradually became accustomed to the altitude, the biting cold of the monsoon winds, and, most importantly, the signposts with specific symbols for mountaineers. At the beginning of each mountain trail, there are signs indicating the length of the trail, the time required, and symbols. Depending on their ability, health, and equipment, mountaineers choose a trail that suits their capabilities and available time.
Schynige Platte is attractive because it boasts a diverse vegetation with over 600 species of wildflowers characteristic of the Alps and Switzerland. It is also an ideal vantage point for admiring panoramic views of the "three peaks" Jungfrau (4,158 m), Mönch (4,107 m), and Eiger (3,970 m).


From Schynige Platte to the summit of First, it takes 5 hours and 20 minutes to traverse a verdant landscape, a fairytale setting with wildflowers and grasses everywhere, providing a backdrop for the snow-capped Jungfrau peak dominating the horizon. Of the 23 mountain trails in the Grindelwald region, First includes one for professional climbers (First Schwarzhorn Via Ferrata) and 16 others of medium difficulty. First also marks the end of a day of scenic mountain climbing; we returned to Interlaken to prepare for the more "important" day: the trek to the legendary Jungfrau peak.


As the altitude of the trail gradually increases, the patches of green grass and flowers disappear, replaced by the cold gray of the cliffs and melting ice forming waterfalls like strands of hair cascading down the mountain slopes. For skiers, Jungfrau Peak is a "paradise" where they can satisfy their passion for skiing even in the summer. The journey to this summit came to a halt, giving me the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking scenery amidst the snow-capped mountains, to hear the legend of the mountaineers Hieronymus Meyer, Johann Rudolf Meyer, Alois Volken, and Joseph Bortis who conquered Jungfrau on August 3, 1811, and especially the cogwheel railway project to Jungfraujoch initiated by Adolf Guyer-Zeller in 1893, which now averages 5,000 visitors per day, bringing in over $1 million USD in transportation revenue for the Swiss railway and tourism industry. Standing atop the mountain, looking around in all directions, close your eyes and listen to the sound of the wind and snow, feel the bone-chilling cold of the ice, then open your eyes and feel what is called freedom, like birds spreading their wings and flying in the blue sky. It's truly wonderful, isn't it?

Tour: You can experience the journey up Jungfrau mountain with Saigon Tourist's France - Switzerland - Italy tour (10 days), departing from Ho Chi Minh City. Price: from 86,990,000 VND. Hotline: 1900 1808.
Travel blogger Hoang Thi Mai Linh: Snow season in Hokkaido
I arrived in Hokkaido—an island in the far north of Japan—during the first snowfall of the season. Locals call this place a paradise of love. Because of the cold and tranquil atmosphere, it seems everyone wants to share warmth and be closer to each other.

Skiing is the most enjoyable activity in Hokkaido when you visit in winter. Snow falls early here, with the heaviest snowfall occurring between mid-November and January. Hokkaido's snow is dry and fine like powder, a distinct advantage compared to snow in other parts of the world. If you're traveling with family, you should choose a suitable ski resort with beautiful scenery and views, offering beginner-friendly options like Sapporo or a combined resort like Niseko.
For young people and experienced skiers, Otaru Tenguyama offers longer and more challenging slopes. Here, you can enjoy some warm sake while admiring the sparkling white city lights at night.



The Sapporo Snow Festival is held annually in February in Sapporo City. Here you can admire vibrant and intricate snow sculptures. The themes of the snow sculptures change each year or to reflect prominent events.

Tour: You can enjoy winter skiing in Hokkaido with Topten Travel's Hokkaido - Otaru - Sapporo tour (4 days), departing from Ho Chi Minh City. Price: from 25,900,000 VND. Hotline: 0901 330 019 / 0912 921 525.
Travel blogger Huyền Chi Bùi: The ancient town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Having had the opportunity to visit the ancient town that is the "birthplace" of skiing, I was truly impressed by its picturesque natural beauty. Located 80 minutes by train from Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a wonderful place to relax and fully explore the beauty of the Bavarian mountains in southern Germany, nestled in the Alpine range. Throughout the winter, the slopes surrounding the town are covered in snow, making it the ideal time for skiers or those who enjoy snow-covered landscapes. The ski season runs from December to April, but it's worth noting that Zugspitze is open until the beginning of May. You should consider purchasing a combined ski pass, such as the Top Snow pass, which includes access to the Tylorean area within Zugspitze.


Beyond its fresh, peaceful atmosphere and dreamy mountain town scenery, Garmisch-Partenkirchen also captivates visitors with its unique houses featuring flower-filled windows, built in the style of ancient Bavarian architecture. Visitors should take the time to visit the village of Garmisch-Partenkirchen to participate in activities beyond skiing, all in true Bavarian style. Garmisch offers many other exciting activities such as ice skating, figure skating, and sporting events that attract large crowds.

Tour: Travelers can satisfy their passion for skiing with a special 9-day, 8-night tour through 5 European countries: France - Luxembourg - Germany - Belgium - Netherlands offered by Trang An Travel, priced from: 45,990,000 VND, departing on December 26, 2018. Hotline: 0901 700 500 / 0982 140 909.
Travel blogger Rosie Nguyen: Skiing in the desert
Ski Dubai – the only artificial ski park in the Middle East and the largest in the world – is located right in the heart of the Sahara Desert and is a must-visit destination if you're in the "Golden City" of Dubai. Ski Dubai has five slopes with varying levels of difficulty, height, and gradient. The longest slope is 400 meters long with a drop of approximately 60 meters.

Here, you won't need to worry about clothing or equipment for skiing. Ski Dubai not only provides these, but also offers winter clothing and snowboards. If you're traveling with children, you can choose Snow Park, located within the Ski Dubai complex. This park covers approximately 3,000 square meters and includes snowmobile tracks, sledding hills, and a snow cave with countless fun games for kids, making it impossible for them to leave. Visitors should also not miss the free penguin parade and show in the park.


Especially if you visit during the festival season, you'll feel like you're experiencing a fairytale skiing adventure with twinkling lights, reindeer, and Santa Claus pulling sleighs along the pathways, creating a truly eye-catching sight.

Tour: Travelers can experience the only artificial ski park in the Middle East with YoloTravel's 6-day Dubai tour, departing from Hanoi on November 28th and December 5th. Tour price: 22,900,000 VND. Hotline: 024 7309 6828 / 028 7309 6828
Travel blogger Nhi Dang: Playing in the snow in Val D'Aran
Bordering France to the north, Val d'Aran, with a population of 5,000, is a land covered in majestic nature and blanketed in snow every winter. After a four-hour drive from Barcelona, the car stopped in front of Hotel La Pleta at 10 PM (4 AM Vietnam time). The bone-chilling cold hit my face as soon as I opened the car door and stepped out. Oh my god, snow covered everything under my feet... I only remember eating a little soup, something else, and climbing into bed to sleep in the jet lag of my second day in Spain. Like a dream, the next morning the three of us Vietnamese girls happily went skiing at Beret Ski Resort. The first basic exercise was learning how to balance and ski down a gentle slope of about 100 meters. I felt a surge of confidence because this was my second time skiing, after my trip to Iran.

After that, we continued to experience the speed of the Husky dog sleds. Each sled could carry a maximum of three people, and I sat in the front holding the camera to record everything. About a dozen Huskies were incredibly adorable and excessively energetic; as soon as they heard a long whistle from the driver, they would sprint like rockets, and when tired, they would roll around on the snow playing like little children.



The following day, they continued their snowmobile adventure to Banhs de Tredos, a spa located high in the Pyrenees, where they could enjoy hot spring baths even in winter.


I was looking forward to the last day because the forecast predicted snow. But even if it didn't snow, the super-expensive caviar at Vielha tonight calmed me down. On the last day, we were each equipped with a pair of specialized snow rackets, which looked like rackets, designed for walking on snow (to increase contact surface and prevent sinking). We continued walking and taking pictures, falling down and getting up and down, the camera fogging up like a frozen bottle of water but still working continuously. It, like me, was seeing with its own eyes, touching a world to know its existence, a land called Val D'aran.


Finally, it started to snow, just as we stopped at a bend in the road, overlooking the town. The snowflakes gently brushed against our faces. It was a beautiful sight that, for a moment, we all gazed upon in silence, without a care in the world.

Tour: You can experience skiing in Val d'Aran or celebrate Christmas in Western Europe with many different tour options, departing from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. In particular, to reach the Val d'Aran ski area, you can seek assistance from the Catalonia Tourism Board, Torisme Val d'Aran, and Singapore Airlines.
Facebook user Nguyen Thu Huong: Gangwon, the skiing paradise of South Korea.
Known as the winter sports capital of South Korea, Gangwon is the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics, and most of the country's most renowned ski resorts are located there. Whether you're an amateur or a professional skier, you can find a suitable slope in Gangwon.
I'd heard Gangwon was stunningly beautiful in all four seasons, but I'd only ever seen snow-covered Gangwon. My first time there was also my first time touching snow. It was an amazing experience, especially trying out skiing. My two young companions and I were amazed by the enormous snow slopes and the cheerful crowds in colorful ski suits gliding effortlessly down the mountainside. The scenery was unique and incredibly captivating for most tourists from tropical countries.

My mother and I chose the Elysian Gangchon ski resort, which offers slopes for beginners and short ski lessons. After just 15 minutes of instruction and half an hour of practice, I had mastered the basics and was ready to enjoy the snow. Besides the fun snow experiences, we also spent time strolling through traditional hanok villages, visiting the ancient Sinheungsa Temple nestled in the legendary Seorak Mountains, the thousand-year-old Woljeong Temple, and the Ojukheon literary hall... and, of course, enjoying the typical Korean cuisine.
Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort is open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 AM the following day. Ski lift tickets range from 12,000 to 70,000 won. Ski equipment rental fees vary depending on the time of year and are charged separately.

Tour: Travelers can experience the skiing paradise of South Korea with a South Korea tour from Hanoitours, departing from December 29th to January 2nd, 2019, flying with Eastar Jet. Price from only 11,500,000 VND/person. Hotline: 093 439 9009.

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