Ecuador,

Ecuador,
New Zealand, Peru and Morocco don’t immediately spring
to mind when you think of top skiing destinations. But then you’re
probably not Caroline Gleich, a professional skier who has a knack
for climbing remote, high-altitude mountain peaks… and then skiing
her way back down them.

The actual term is ‘ski mountaineering’, a form of extreme
skiing that gives even the most animated adrenaline junkies a
thrill. Caroline has been specialising in this type of skiing for
three years, with a total of ten years experience as a sponsored
professional athlete under her belt. Someone who, in her own words,
“always craves the unknown,” her passion for exploration has taken
her to some of the most unconventional ski slopes in the world. “At
some of the places where I’ve gone to ski, no one knows about
skiing at all,” she remarks.

While Caroline hasn’t yet conquered everywhere on her bucket
list (she still has mountains left to ski in Tajikistan, Russia and
Morocco) she’s certainly done her fair share of travelling. This
year alone she has been to Italy, Slovenia, Peru, Canada, Oregon
and Colorado.

“I just like the spirit of optimism,” says Caroline, adding:
“Empowering yourself to be able to get up the mountain, looking up
at the peaks around me – and not being limited to the ones which
have chairlifts or helicopters to take me to the top.”

Her packing essentials include Patagonia layers, Goal Zero solar
chargers for her camera – “I take a lot of pictures!” – and a scarf
or sarong that can be used as a dress, towel or blanket, depending
on the climate. Caroline says she’ll ski anywhere that has snow or
mountains, preferring of-the-beaten-track locations where she can
explore and immerse herself in local culture. With such an
alternative take on a classic sport, Caroline was an obvious choice
to compile a cool girl’s guide to skiing.

The best ski lodges or hotels

If you’re looking for a unique cultural experience with some
great powder, then Caroline recommends checking out the island
resorts in Hokkaido, Japan. But her all-time “amazing place every
skier should visit” is Hotel Portillo in Chile. Located right on
the border with Argentina, Hotel Portillo is tucked high in the
Andes Mountains and offers stunning views. The lodge has yoga
classes, a salon, a cinema, a pool overlooking a lake and a ski
school, for all those beginners who aren’t quite ready to take on
the massive peaks nearby.

Where to get the best food

While she was consistently impressed by the food in Ecuador, it
was on Caroline’s recent trip to Banff in Canada that Block – a
tapas bar-restaurant – made away with her heart. While you’re in
the area, Caroline recommends contacting Valhalla Mountain Touring
in British Columbia. The company will arrange for you to snowcat or
helicopter into a luxury lodge hidden away in the Valhalla
Mountains. A tour guide will take you hiking to your private hut
before you ski back down through breathtaking scenery. Thanks to
its remote location, the place remains largely untouched by human
hands, allowing you to really make the most of pristine
conditions.

An up-and-coming ski spot

Tucked away in northeast Italy’s Julian Alps, the Sella Nevea is
right on the Italian-Slovenian border. With a reputation as a place
for freestyle and backcountry skiers, Sella Nevea also offers
opportunities for climbing, snowboarding, trekking and sledging on
its miles of natural snow around Mount Canin. To make the most of
your visit, Caroline recommends mountain guide Enrico Mosetti.
“He’s the man,” she says. “He’ll show you some really cool
terrain.”

A place to go back year after year

Caroline describes her home range in Wasatch, Utah as an
“accessible place with lots to explore” and one of her all-time
favourite places to ski. The range runs across the Utah-Idaho
border and is renowned for its good conditions as well as
world-class resorts. Want something a little more advanced? Check
out Caroline’s other top pick, the Teton Range in Wyoming. She says
the rugged alpine terrain is “inspiring” and recommends the Jackson
Hole Mountain Resort near Teton Village for its beautiful
scenery.

The best place for an adventurous skier

With “Himalayan in scale” mountains that tower almost 9,000ft
into the air, Chamonix, France is a must for
any skier looking for a challenge. Situated by the Aiguilles
Rouges, Caroline recommends taking a cable car to the top and then
climbing or skiing from there. Be warned, there’s a lot of glacial
travel involved, so it’s best to use a guide unless you’re a
particularly experienced mountaineer.

If you’re not too tired after a day of literally moving
mountains, then it’s worth exploring Chamonix’s après-ski culture –
including the area’s numerous fondue restaurants and its fun
nightlife scene. Check out renowned hotspots Moo Bar and Elevation.
If you want a place to dance, Caroline recommends Les Caves, one of
the swankiest cocktail bars in town, known for its live music as
well as its sushi restaurant upstairs.