{"id":57332,"date":"2024-04-29T10:11:27","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T08:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowtrex.de\/magazin\/?p=34916"},"modified":"2025-06-26T14:36:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T12:36:15","slug":"world-wonder-of-skiing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowtrex.co.uk\/magazine\/holidays-winter-sports\/world-wonder-of-skiing\/","title":{"rendered":"Gigantic! The 7 wonders of the skiing world"},"content":{"rendered":"

The classical wonders of the ancient world were gigantic structures. They were so large and unique that their construction by human hands literally borders on a miracle. However, there are not only some incredible construction projects and impressive landmarks on and off the slopes at these historical sites, but also in modern ski resorts. Reason enough for SnowTrex<\/a> to select the 7 wonders of the skiing world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n \"The<\/a>
\u00a9 Olga Danylenko\/shutterstock.de<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
The Matterhorn is one of the world’s most famous mountains and therefore also the symbol of Switzerland<\/div>\n <\/div > \n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n
\n Index\n <\/div>\n
\n 1. Mountain fascination – The Swiss Matterhorn<\/span><\/a>2. Icy accommodation – The Ice Hotel in Sweden<\/span><\/a>3. Pretty hot – Get your sauna on in the gondola<\/span><\/a>4. Superlatives on a cable – The largest gondola in the world<\/span><\/a>5. Desert, camels, skiing – The indoor ski centre in Dubai<\/span><\/a>6. Piste beast – The biggest piste groomer in the world<\/span><\/a>7. Endless freestyle – The longest half pipe in the world<\/span><\/a>FAQ’s on the wonders of the skiing world<\/span><\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n

1. Mountain fascination – The Swiss Matterhorn<\/h2>\n

Hardly any other mountain in Europe fascinates as much as the 4,478 metre-high Matterhorn. Switzerland’s landmark with its striking peak characterises its surroundings and the ski resort of Zermatt<\/a> like no other. No matter where visitors are here, whether in the valley or directly in the ski area, the mountain can be seen from almost everywhere and was even shortlisted as a World Natural Wonder in 2009. At that time, the “New 7 Wonders of Nature” foundation called on the world’s population to nominate candidates for the 7 Wonders of Nature. A panel of experts led by former UNESCO Director Federico Mayor selected the Matterhorn as one of the 28 finalists. And even though Monte Cervino, as the Matterhorn is known in Italy, did not ultimately make it onto the official list of the 7 Wonders of the World, it is undoubtedly a geological wonder for all keen mountaineers.<\/p>\n

2. Icy accommodation – The Ice Hotel in Sweden<\/h2>\n

The mother of all igloo villages is located in Jukkasj\u00e4rvi, Sweden. The “Ice Hotel Jukkasj\u00e4rvi” has been built by international ice artists every winter since 1989. Everything in the imposing building is made of ice: the entrance hall with thick pillars, the richly decorated hotel rooms, the beds and furniture inside, the ice bar with tables, chairs and even the glasses from which the thickly wrapped guests take their drinks. They end up sleeping on animal skins at minus 5 degrees.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"An<\/a>
\u00a9 karenfoleyphotography\/Shutterstock<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
An extraordinary art suite at the Ice Hotel in Sweden<\/div>\n <\/div > \n

3. Pretty hot – Get your sauna on in the gondola<\/h2>\n

In the Yll\u00e4s ski resort in Finnish Lapland, a very special gondola takes skiers up the mountain. The world’s first and only sauna gondola is clad in wood and has tinted windows and an infusion boiler inside. Up to four people can enjoy a sauna during the ascent. After 15 minutes, the sweating passengers reach the top station, where showers and changing rooms are available in the “Caf\u00e9 Gondel”. The unusual gondola was installed back in 2008. Unfortunately, this beneficial trend has not yet arrived in the Alps.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"In<\/a>
\u00a9 Jamo Images\/Shutterstock<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
In the Yll\u00e4s ski resort in Finland, the ascent to the summit in a sauna gondola is guaranteed to be an experience<\/div>\n <\/div > \n

4. Superlatives on a cable – The largest gondola in the world<\/h2>\n

The “Vanoise Express” in the French Alps is the largest double-decker cable car in the world. The two gondolas can accommodate an incredible 200 people with skis, poles and luggage – on two floors. The two cabins need just four minutes to cover the 1,824 metre route with the tractive power of a TGV train. This makes it not only one of the largest, but also one of the fastest ropeways in the world with a “top speed” of 45 km\/h. The design of the “Vanoise Express” is also unusual: there is no classic bottom and top station. This is because the start and finish are located in Plan-Peisey (1,612 m) and Montchavin (1,548 m) and therefore almost at the same altitude. It is also impressive that the steel suspension and haulage cables run the entire length from La Plagne<\/a> to Les Arcs<\/a> without any supporting pillars.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"The<\/a>
\u00a9 Peter Gudella\/Shutterstock<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
The “Vanoise Express” in the French Alps is the largest and fastest double-decker cable car in the world<\/div>\n <\/div > \n

5. Desert, camels, skiing – The indoor ski centre in Dubai<\/h2>\n

Skiing in the middle of the desert, with camels nearby and at 50 degrees outside? It’s possible in Dubai! “Ski Dubai”, one of the largest indoor ski facilities in the world, has around 6,000 tonnes of artificial snow and numerous attractions. Built in 2005, the facility set new standards in indoor ski centre construction. Five pistes with a total area of 22,500 m\u00b2 offer fun on the piste at all levels of difficulty. A 4-seater chairlift takes skiers up to the pistes, which are lined with real trees and covered with thick artificial snow.<\/p>\n

What does it look like in one of the world’s largest indoor ski centres in the middle of the desert? The following video answers this question:<\/p>\n

<\/div>
Welcome To Ski Dubai<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>