Ski Travel Checklist

You might be a seasoned skier, or heading to the slopes for the first time. Either way, it can sometimes be a daunting task with lots of questions to be answered. Our friends at Holiday Kingdom have put together a great checklist of things to think about before booking your next stay.

Whether you are planning a ski trip for the first time or simply want some tips for planning your next mountain adventure, we have you covered. In this article we will guide you through all the key things you need to think about, whether that is choosing a resort, deciding how you will travel there, picking the right accommodation, finding a ski school, deciding what to pack…the list goes on! 

While it may seem a daunting task, by the time you have reached the end of this article you will have easy steps to follow to create your dream mountain getaway.

Choosing a resort

Where to start when planning your ski holiday? Choose a ski resort! There are plenty of options out there from small, family orientated villages to huge resorts with several different villages in one area. Each one offers something a bit different and it can be tricky to choose one. With our questions below, your choice will be a lot easier.

What mix of slopes should you look for?

Not all resorts offer an equal balance of beginner friendly slopes and adequate challenges for the more advanced. If it is your first-time skiing, you will want to choose a resort with plenty of green and blue slopes for you to practice on. This will ensure you can quickly build your skills and not get bored from going up and down the same couple of slopes the whole holiday! Mixed ability groups should look for larger resorts with broader access to a variety of different slopes.

What atmosphere do you want?

While spending time on the slopes may take up most of your holiday, you will also spend a lot of time in the resort. It is therefore a good idea to consider what sort of atmosphere you want during your down time. If you are there just for the sport and want to relax in the evening, you probably don’t want to head to the lively resorts popular with younger skiers. If you are travelling with young children, you will also need to keep this in mind, as well as consider the child friendly activities on offer. If, on the other hand, the apres-ski scene is as important for you as time on the slopes, you will want to find a resort, such as Val Thorens where you can party all night.

What is your budget?

Ski holidays can be expensive, but you can enjoy a mountain holiday on a variety of budgets. If you are wanting to save money an easy first step is to avoid the busiest holiday periods. Do not travel during the school holidays or around the popular Christmas and New Years’ breaks. This is when the prices of everything are at their peak and you can make great savings travelling during the early and shoulder seasons. 

Another way to save is to stay a bit further away from the slopes. Accommodation at the centre of the resort always has the highest price tag, but by staying a short transfer away by bus or lift, you can easily make savings. Going self-catered can also help to keep your costs down. 

 How to get to your resort

Once you have chosen a resort, it is time to consider how you will travel there.

Flying

One of the quickest and easiest ways to reach the Alps is to take a flight to one of the region’s major airports. Geneva is one of the most popular choices and from there you can take a private transfer or a bus to your ski resort. Transfers from Geneva usually take between 2 and 3 hours, but you can also fly to Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery.

If you wish to save some money, make sure you book as far in advance as possible. This not only applies to flights but airport parking too. Many travellers overlook this potentially expensive necessity, despite most skiers travelling to the airport by car with all their ski equipment. 

Luckily, it is simple to find cheap parking! If you book in advance and use a comparison website, you can save up to 60% compared to booking on the day. Parkhero is a great example for UK travellers. This website allows you to compare the cheapest parking deals and make a booking in less than 5 minutes. Say you were looking for Manchester Airport Terminal 1 parking, all you need to do is choose your airport and enter your travel dates in the search bar. In seconds all your parking options will appear with the cheapest at the top. Hit ‘Book Now’ and in minutes you will have found a great deal and can turn up at the airport fully prepared. For similar websites for your country of departure, simply enter ‘compare … airport parking’ into a search engine.

 Taking the train

Travelling by train a great option if you are concerned about the environment or simply want to enjoy a more relaxed mode of transport. There are excellent connections available for most Alpine ski resorts, but you may need to take a private transfer or bus from the nearest train station to the resort.

Driving

For a more flexible mode of transport opt to drive to the Alps. It gives you the chance to stop at other destinations along the way and visit other ski resorts during one trip. Ski resorts are well connected to European motorway networks and are regularly cleared of snow and ice. You may need to fit winter tyres and purchase a vignette to travel in some areas.

Choosing your accommodation

When it comes to ski resort accommodation, there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you are looking for a budget dorm, a luxury chalet or something in between, you will find it in the Alps.

When beginning your search, you will soon see that the closer the accommodation is to the main village and slopes, the more expensive it will be. Ski-in-ski-out options are some of the most sought after as they are convenient and mean you are located in the centre of everything. A good way to enjoy being in the centre and not breaking the bank is to travel with a group and share a chalet or apartment. Chalets usually hold between 6 and 14 people and when the cost is split, they offer a reasonably priced, cosy accommodation option.

Consider what you value most when choosing the right accommodation. If you want to be close to the slopes, then opt for a ski-in-ski-out option in the centre of the resort, this will also mean you are at the centre of all the activities the resort has to offer. If instead you want to rest and relax after a day on the slopes, then consider accommodation a bit further out. 

You can usually choose from a dorm, apartment, hotel or chalet with both catered and self-catered services. 

Make sure to book well in advance to find the best early-bird deals. If you want something to look forward to at the end of the year, start planning now!

Finding a ski school

Whether you are a seasoned skier or completely new to the slopes, it is always a good idea to take some lessons from a professional instructor. No matter how patient your friends or family members are, you will always receive the best and safest guidance from a trained instructor.

Find the best instructor for your needs by doing some research beforehand. What is your learning style? Do you want a group lesson or a private lesson? How much do you want to spend on lessons? Make sure to check online reviews too, it gives you a better idea of what you can expect.

If you want to save money, opt for lessons that are not in the popular morning slots, book ahead for discounts and check if your accommodation provider can offer you any deals with local ski schools.

 Things to do off the slopes

A winter break is not just about the time spent on the slopes; it is also about the many other activities on offer at the resort.

You can enjoy some well earnt rest and relaxation with one of our massage services. These range from intensive sports massages, massages to help your tired legs and feet or a simple relaxing massage to get rid of those knots. You can also check out the resort spa or if you are lucky enough, spend the evening in your chalet hot tub!

For something a bit more active, you can try husky sledding, tobogganing, ice diving, cooking lessons, star gazing and a whole host of other memorable options. There is something for everyone at most resorts, but make sure to book in advance during the peak holiday periods.

Those wanting to party into the small hours will find lots of exciting options in the larger resorts. Après-ski parties can start as early as midday at some resorts and continue on into the early morning with world renowned DJs and artists being a common fixture. 

For the partygoers, the bigger resorts have a great selection of bars and clubs that are open into the early hours. World famous DJs are not unknown at ski resorts and there are some fantastic parties to check out.

If you do your research and choose the right resort, you will easily find plenty of different activities to keep you entertained during your trip.

We hope you have found our advice useful and that you have a fantastic mountain adventure, wherever you decide to travel. If you want further advice, make sure to check out our other blogs.