Clean fresh aim, bright blue skies and snow covered mountain tops, we love them.
Did you know, mountains cover 22% of the Earth’s land surface making them one of the most important environments on our planet, so appreciation is key.
Mountainous scenery is one of the major draws of a winter holiday for skiers and snowboarders alike.
We're not talking Everest or K2, these are the mountains that mean something to all us skier and snowboarders alike. Here are just five iconic mountains that will make you want to book your next ski holiday:
1. Black Tusk – Whistler, Canada
The distinctive appearance of Black Tusk near the Canadian ski resort of Whistler is what makes it one of the most popular mountains in British Columbia. A prominent spire formed of volcanic rock thrusts out the top of the mountain. Known as the Bishop’s Mitre, this peak makes the mountain the most identifiable in the region.
The indigenous Squamish people know Black Tusk as the home of the legendary 'Thunder Bird'. The mountain’s iconic appearance is said to have been formed when it was struck by black lightning.
2. Mont Blanc – Chamonix, France
As the tallest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc needs no introduction. At 4,810m, the peak is visible from many of the ski and snowboarding resorts in the Alps, especially in France’s Tarentaise region.
The best views of the mountain are visible from the cable-car stop at l’Aiguille du Midi, in the Chamonix resort. From this close perspective, the mountain towers over you, swamping your field of view and giving an excellent sense of the mountain’s sheer scale.
3. The Eiger – Grindelwald, Switzerland
The insurmountable North Face of the Eiger is one of the most feared and respected mountains in the mountaineer community. Climbers find the mountain notoriously challenging to ascend. For skiers on the other hand, the mountain is an incredible backdrop to what is already one of the most beautiful ski areas in the world.
The massive size of the mountain is often incomprehensible until a paraglider or helicopter swoops towards it and is steadily dwarfed by its hulking mass.
During the summer, you can take the train through tunnels carved into the Eiger, and you can even ski on the Aletsch Glacier along the back of the mountain.
Find a holiday to Grindelwald >
4. The Matterhorn – Zermatt, Switzerland
The Matterhorn’s iconic pyramid shape (and regular appearance on Toblerones) has made it one of the most recognisable mountains in the world. Daredevil off-piste skiers are singularly attracted to skiing on the Matterhorn.
The mountain is often much larger than visitors might be expecting, ta 4,478m tall, it is one of the highest mountains in the Alps.
The Matterhorn divides Zermatt from the neighbouring Italian ski resort of Cervinia so during favourable weather conditions, you can actually ski across the international border.
For the best views of the Matterhorn while skiing head to the top of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, where you will also find the highest pistes in Europe.
5. Valluga – St Anton, Austria
Valluga, the highest mountain in St Anton, won’t win any awards for its height or for its appearance, but actually for the opposite - once you reach the top and look back, the mountain falls away from you, providing stunning views across the Austrian Alps.
With incredible, steep slopes into St Anton, Valluga is most well-known for its epic off-piste itineraries and the mountain is a mecca for expert free-riders all seeking adventure.
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