{"id":3558,"date":"2021-12-02T14:32:50","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T14:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/?p=3558"},"modified":"2021-12-02T14:32:53","modified_gmt":"2021-12-02T14:32:53","slug":"8-lgbti-friendly-gateway-cities-for-winter-sports-that-are-super-chill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/?p=3558","title":{"rendered":"8 LGBTI-friendly gateway cities for winter sports that are super chill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The cozy cabins, the bubbling hot tubs, the endless supplies of hot chocolate\u2026 Indeed, that otherworldly sensation of being in a remote location is synonymous with skiing and snowboarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But travelers are constantly looking to maximize their experience \u2013 so why not combine the thrill of sport and the relaxation of apr\u00e8s-ski with the buzz of a city break?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, we look at eight such gateway destinations for your consideration, all accessible from London\u2019s Heathrow Airport<\/a>\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1 Geneva<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Country: <\/strong>Switzerland<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population: <\/strong>194,565 (2015)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation: <\/strong>375m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switzerland\u2019s second-largest city after Zurich epitomizes the country. Culture, cuisine, and cleanliness are the order of the day, with the stunning 580\u00a0km\u00b2 Lake Geneva serving as a backdrop. The sight of The Alps blending into the clouds is unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another of Geneva\u2019s selling points is its close proximity to equally suave neighbors. The lakeside Lausanne and Montreux are, respectively, half an hour and an hour away by train. The capital, Bern, is less than two hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also within driving distance are\u00a0countless picturesque ski resorts \u2013 Praz de Lys, La Clusaz, and Le Grand Bornand to name but three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2 Salzburg<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Country: <\/strong>Austria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population: <\/strong>146,631 (2014)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation: <\/strong>424m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immortalized in all its sun-drenched, full bloom beauty in 1964\u2019s The Sound of Music, Salzburg is even prettier in winter \u2013 especially at Christmas, when the markets come alive and snow envelops this immensely walkable town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hilltop 11th-century Hohensalzburg Castle is a must-see, as is Mozart\u2019s birthplace from the 18th century. For a modern art infusion among all the history, head to Museum der Moderne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pitztaler Glitscher, Ischgl and Goldegg are just three local ski areas. Furthermore, Salzburg straddles Austria\u2019s border, so you could use it as a base for skiing in Germany, Switzerland or even the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3 Salt Lake City<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Country: <\/strong>USA (Utah)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population: <\/strong>193,744 (2016)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation: <\/strong>1,320m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flanked by the grandeur of the Wasatch Mountains, SLC is known as a religious capital while also being famously LGBTI-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pride festival is one of the biggest in the state, attracting over 25,000 participants annually. The town also boasts an openly gay mayor, Jackie Biskupski!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The largest city in Utah, and host of the 2002 Winter Olympics, offers close proximity to 14 ski resorts. Alta, 25 miles away, gets the heaviest snowfall in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4 Turin<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Country:<\/strong> Italy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population: <\/strong>899,455 (2014)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation: <\/strong>239m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Alps lie to the north and west of Turin \u2013 another former host city of the Winter Olympics (they were held here in 2006).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turin is the fourth largest city in Italy after Rome, Milan, and Naples, with a sizable metropolitan population of 1.7 million, and is unsurprisingly steeped in culture and history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the sphinxes and mummies at Museu Egizo and the manicured gardens and stately rooms of the Palace of Vernaria one day before heading to nearby resorts such as Valle di Susa and Sauze d Oulx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5 Innsbruck<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Country: <\/strong>Austria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population: <\/strong>124,579 (2014)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation: <\/strong>574m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The smallest city on our list, Innsbruck is another chocolate box-perfect European city, a couple of hours from Salzburg and nestled on the German border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s known for its impressive ski jump, Bergisel, which stands tall at an amazing 746m, as well as the opulent\u00a0Goldenes Dachl, built-in 1500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We flew into Innsbruck last winter, before driving two and a half hours to the gorgeous\u00a0arlberg1800 RESORT \u2013\u00a0read our review here<\/a>. There are 465 resorts within three hours drive of Innsbruck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6 Vancouver<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Country: <\/strong>Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population: <\/strong>647,540 (2014)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation: <\/strong>82m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2010 host city for the Winter Olympics is one of the most picture-perfect in the world. Vancouver\u2019s good looks are no doubt elevated by its coast-and-mountain-side setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top attractions include the interactive Science World, the retro Playland amusement park, and of course the beaches \u2013 which are dotted all over the city!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snow rarely falls in Vancouver, but conversely, it\u2019s sprinkled over the next-door Grouse Mountain (1,231m). Head here with or without skis for the best views of the city!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7 Grenoble<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Country: <\/strong>France<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population: <\/strong>155,637 (2010)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation: <\/strong>215m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back across the Atlantic and to France, the most popular country in Europe for winter sports, and also home to the Alps\u2019 highest point: Mont Blanc at 4,810m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grenoble is located in the south of the country at the foot of the Alps. Like many of the cities on this list, snow-capped mountains are part of the furniture here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore the city\u2019s many museums \u2013 such as Arhome, Museum of Industrial Innovation, and Domaine De Vizille, the French Revolution Museum \u2013 before heading to the slopes. There are 24 ski resorts in the Arrondissement of Grenoble in total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8 Denver<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Country: <\/strong>USA (Colorado)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population: <\/strong>682,545 (2015)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevation: <\/strong>1,609m<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s slightly bewildering that one of the best bases for US winter sports enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year \u2013 but then, it\u2019s also bewildering that snowboarding and skiing often leave you with a tanned face!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located near the very center of America, Denver is immersed in rugged, mountainous Coloradan scenery. The snow-capped Pikes Peak, for example, measuring 4,302m, is visible from multiple points of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Echo Mountain,\u00a0Loveland Ski Resort, and Eldora Mountain are all roughly a one-hour drive from downtown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With over 35 bars, restaurants, and cafes, including the new Gordon Ramsay Plane Food outlet, and dozens of designers stores, Heathrow is the perfect place to start your holiday or business trip. To book your trip, visit\u00a0go.heathrow.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The cozy cabins, the bubbling hot tubs, the endless supplies of hot chocolate\u2026 Indeed, that otherworldly sensation of being in a remote location is synonymous with skiing and snowboarding. But travelers are constantly looking to maximize their experience \u2013 so why not combine the thrill of sport and the relaxation of apr\u00e8s-ski with the buzz of a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3558","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3558","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3558"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3558\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3558"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3558"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/4guysmagazine.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3558"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}