Prince William Kate jet off on romantic skiing holiday in SwitzerlandKate and William on a trip to Klosters back in 2008. Photo: Rex


Prince William is treating the Duchess of Cambridge to a skiing holiday in the exclusive resort of Verbier - to make up for a being away for six weeks.

After being deployed in the Falklands with his search and rescue crew, the prince decided to cheer up his wife by booking a trip to Switzerland.

The royal couple were reunited on Wednesday at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

A source told the Mirror: "William missed Kate terribly when he was away. They spent Valentine's Day apart and he has been thinking for some time how to make it up to his wife.

"He wants a reunion in the most romantic possible fashion.

"They've had some brilliant times skiing, and William decided a getaway in Switzerland, where they can wear goggles and hats and go around unnoticed, would be perfect.

The Duke and Duchess have a well-documented love of skiing, being first pictured on the slopes of Klosters in Switzerland together back in 2004.

Then, two years later at the same resort, they kissed in public for the first time.

Verbier is a hotspot for many top skiers, and is often noted as one of the premiere off-piste locations in the world.

The village is found in southwestern Switzerland in the municipality of Bagnes, and lies on a terrace at about 1,500 metres facing the Grand Combin massif.

Meanwhile, thousands of tourists and royal fans are expected to flock to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join the Queen for a carriage procession to mark the end of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

In their first formal carriage ride since they were married, Kate and William will join the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in a procession through the streets of Westminster via Parliament Square, Whitehall, Horse Guards and The Mall to Buckingham Palace, on the 5 June 2012.

Best value ski resorts 2012

  • Garminsch-Partenkirchen, Germany
    <p> This pretty resort was first put on the ski map when it hosted the Winter Olympics in 1936, and it continues to be a hotspot for pros. In 2011 it hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships, so it's perfect for speed freaks!</p> <p> TripIndexcost per day: &pound;183.11</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;116.11. Ski hire: &pound;23.47. Ski pass: &pound;30.91. Meal: &pound;9.85. Beer: &pound;2.77</p>
    Garminsch-Partenkirchen, Germany
  • 8. Ordino Arcalis, Andorra
    <p> Andorra's newest ski area nestles in one of the country's most beautiful mountain valleys. It offers modern lifts and&nbsp;some of the more challenging skiing in the area &ndash; so it's perfect for the more experienced skier.</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;167.53</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;114.51. Ski hire: &pound;12.24 Ski pass: &pound;32.63. Meal: &pound;6.87. Beer: &pound;1.29.</p>
    8. Ordino Arcalis, Andorra
  • 7. Oberstdorf, Germany
    <p> Germany's most southerly resort sits in beautiful Bavaria and is closely linked to the huge Austrian ski area Kleinwalsertal - so you can ski two countries in one day. Perfect for mixed ability groups.</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;166.94</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;101.28. Ski hire: &pound;19.18. Ski pass: &pound;34.35. Meal: &pound;9.62. Beer: &pound;2.52.</p>
    7. Oberstdorf, Germany
  • 6. Bled, Slovenia
    <p> The beautiful lakeside resort of Bled is close to three ski centres which are linked by a free bus. With a number of floodlit pistes, it's perfect for fans of night skiing.</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;154.17</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;101.65. Ski hire: &pound;15.46. Ski pass: &pound;26.19. Meal: &pound;8.53. Beer: &pound;2.34.</p>
    6. Bled, Slovenia
  • 5. Pas de la Casa, Andorra
    <p> This little place is part of the huge Grandvalira ski area, so it offers access to 192km of piste liked by a high speed lift network. Perfect for lovers of lively apres-ski.</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;153.92</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;99.61. Ski hire: &pound;12.24. Ski pass: &pound;36.92. Meal: &pound;3.65. Beer: &pound;1.50</p>
    5. Pas de la Casa, Andorra
  • 4. Serre Chevalier
    <p> Serre Chevalier is part of a huge south-facing valley offering access to the second-largest ski area in the world, so there's enough skiing to keep all levels happy.&nbsp;Perfect for families.</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;153.70.</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;81.98. Ski hire: &pound;18.03. Ski pass: &pound;36.67. Meal: &pound;13.45. Beer: &pound;3.57.</p>
    4. Serre Chevalier
  • 3. Berchtesgaden, Germany
    <p> Perched on the edge of a beautiful national park close to the Austrian border, the majestic peaks surrounding Berchtesgaden provide 50km of downhill pistes, some of them floodlit. Perfect for scenic skiing.</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;150.31</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;97.96. Ski hire: &pound;15.46. Ski pass: &pound;25.07. Meal: &pound;9.16. Beer: &pound;2.66.</p>
    3. Berchtesgaden, Germany
  • 2 Etna, Sicily
    <p> It may have been a tad active in recent months, but skiers still delight in taking to the slopes. The north run ends at the pretty resort of Linguaglossa, and south which leads to Nicolosi. Perfect for a weekend ski break.</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;117.73.</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;72.73. Ski hire: &pound;14.86. Ski pass: &pound;19.75. Meal: &pound;7.30. Beer: &pound;3.09</p>
    2 Etna, Sicily
  • 1 Bansko, Bulgaria
    <p> Bansko boasts the best snow record and longest ski season of&nbsp;all Bulgarian resorts - and, as it recently benefited from a multi-million euro investment, it's&nbsp;<em>the</em> place for budget skiers this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;108.59</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;67.90. Ski hire: &pound;13.17. Ski pass: &pound;2195. Meal: &pound;3.95. Beer: &pound;1.61</p>
    1 Bansko, Bulgaria
  • 10. Soldeu, Andorra
    <p> This small but busy village offers the widest and longest slopes in the Pyrennes.</p> <p> TripIndex total cost per day: &pound;184.11</p> <p> Hotel: &pound;121.53. Ski hire: &pound;18.63. Ski pass: &pound;36.92. Meal: &pound;5.58. Beer: &pound;1.72.</p>
    10. Soldeu, Andorra



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