How To Plan a Ski Holiday: Everything You Need To Know

Have you inherited the role of party leader for your upcoming ski holiday? Need to know the 3 Valleys from the 4 Valleys? Is it essential that your accommodation is ski-in, ski-out? Want a catered chalet or an apartment? What’s more important, location to ski lifts or location to bars and restaurants? Or both? 

Booking a ski holiday or snowboard holiday can be a daunting experience, with many places to choose from and multiple factors to consider. Some resorts are ideal for beginners, while others are more suited for advanced skiers and boarders. Some resorts come alive once the lifts shut, while others solely focus on snow-based action. Are you planning on heading out solo? Are you keen to try ski touring or off-piste skiing more your thing?

Choosing the right pieces for your holiday can make or break your trip, so it’s essential to consider your non-negotiables. Our guide to planning the perfect ski trip will have you hailed as the ski trip Don long after your vin chaud headache starts to fade.

HOW TO PLAN A SKI HOLIDAY

Choosing the perfect ski resort

This is one of the make-or-break factors of the perfect ski trip. Pick the right one and be hailed forever as the party leader extraordinaire. Pick the wrong one, and you could spend your holiday carrying your skis down a steep slope after an exhausting day fighting the bumps.

Things to consider in choosing the perfect resort.

What time of year do you want to travel?

This is a pivotal decision to make early on. If you’re tied to a specific week due to work or school holidays, this may influence where you can ski, too.

• Early December can be a cost-effective option, with many resorts offering reduced-price lift passes. However, there is always the risk of poor early-season snow. Consider one of the higher, more snow-sure resorts like Val Thorens or La Plagne. Christmas and New Year breaks are perfect to avoid the stress of the holiday time at home. Have someone else baste the turkey as you kick back with brandy and mince pies.
• January is often a cheaper time to ski with some great last-minute deals once New Year’s week has gone. It’s usually a great month for snow, but it can be pretty chilly, and days are shorter than in the spring. But if you’re looking for excellent snow and no queues, this is your time. Many travel companies also run short ski breaks over New Year if you want to avoid committing to an entire week.
• February is peak season and probably the busiest month. With half-term holidaymakers hitting the slopes, prices shoot up as well. If you don’t have children, avoid these peak weeks with their high prices and busy pistes.
• With the arrival of March comes warmer weather, perfect for leisurely lunches and late drinks on sun terraces on the run back to the resort. However, these high temperatures can also mean slightly slushy conditions on the lower pistes.
• Once April hits, spring snow means spring skiing. Expect long sunny days, slushy slopes and BBQs aplenty. If you’ve got kids, Easter is your last chance to ski with quieter pistes than the February half term.

What’s the skill level or experience of your party?

If you’ve got beginners in your party, does the resort have adequate beginner areas and nursery slopes? Ideally, an area closed off with a magic carpet for ease of learning and confidence building. 

Or is your party more advanced and needs an expansive terrain to keep everyone entertained? Advanced skiers may love the steep slopes of Val d’Isère. Whereas beginners or intermediates will feel much more relaxed, cruising the extensive, perfectly groomed blues of which Courchevel is renowned.

So do your homework before you choose. Check the skill and experience level of your group and look up the stats of the number of green (gentlest), blue, red and black (steepest) pistes each resort offers to gauge what skill level each cater best for. Some resorts have a great mix of all three, perfect for a varied group.

Are you going with snowboarders? If there’s a lot of flat terrain, they’ll have to un-clip and push often. Tons of button lifts? These can be challenging for boarders. 

What’s your budget?

You’ll often pay similar amounts for breaks in different resorts, with some sky-high exceptions. The cost of each resort tends to differ from in-resort prices. Lift pass prices are a significant indicator, as generally, the resorts with expensive lift passes are also where you’ll need to re-mortgage your house for a mountain lunch. 

A week’s lift pass can vary by as much as £100 between resorts. And a pint can cost you 4€ in some and 10€ in others. Prefer the 4€ pint? You can go on a ski holiday on a shoestring.

What do you want to do after the lifts shut?

If your ideal ski holiday involves returning straight home for cake once you’re off the hill before cuddling up by the fire, then this may not be a significant concern.

If you’re coming with children or you’ve got non-skiers in your party, then they might need entertainment. It’s worth checking out what non-skiing activities are available. There could be a luge (sledging) track, dog-sledging, snowshoeing, bowling or ice skating rink. Or a full-on sports centre complete with an Olympic-sized pool and climbing wall. Some resorts have excellent facilities, others less so.

Likewise, big kids also need some entertainment once the skiing day is over. Are you looking for a lively resort with a banging nightlife and clubs open until the lifts do? Or would you prefer one cosy bar with live music during après before heading home for a relaxing night? Most resorts offer live music – with or without table dancing! – but there are some resorts which „do“ après better than others. So, if you’re looking for a lively scene, either early evening or late night, check what’s on before you sign up for a sleepy hollow.

Also, check to see what types of shops and supermarkets are available. Does this matter to you? Restaurants could be another deciding factor, especially if you’re considering a self-catered trip or are looking forward to gourmet mountain lunches.

Are you bringing the kids along?

If you’re wondering how to plan a ski holiday with kids, you’ll need to know what are facilities available for your little ones. Is there a crèche or dedicated children’s area? What are the prices for child care? Are there reputable ski schools in the area with lessons for children in English? Some resorts offer free lift passes for young kids. How easy is it to get to the slopes? This can be a much more challenging task with children, so look into it.

What type of accommodation are you looking for?

Skiing accommodation has come a long way from the hotels popular in the 80’s.

You can live it up in swanky modern apartments, luxury chalets or exclusive hotels. Or opt for a self-catered apartment, budget hotel or even hostel accommodation. What’s the difference?

Catered chalet – Some people love chalets. All the hard work is taken out of it with breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner all taken care of as long as you make it home for dinner.

Sharing – It’s worth noting that unless you book the whole chalet, you’ll probably share with others. Most chalet guests are like-minded folk, making for a fun and sociable setting. Just be prepared to mix and dine with other parties.

Self-catered apartment – Would you prefer the flexibility of choosing your meal times? To determine whether you cook for yourself or eat out? Although self-catered may seem the most cost-effective option upfront, if you plan on eating out frequently, high prices in the resort mean that costs soon add up. Chalets and chalet-hotels typically offer unlimited wine with dinner, which can mean a substantial saving on restaurant alternatives.

Hotel – Hotels frequently are bed-and-breakfast with the option to eat in the hotel restaurant in the evening.

Remember to check the location of said accommodation. Is it ski-in, ski-out? Is it close to the slopes or the bars? And if so, are you willing to pay the extra for these perks? Is the extra cost of a ski-in, ski-out location worth it to you and your party? If that’s not an option, then be sure to check the transport links and whether ski equipment can be stored in lockers or hire shops close to the slopes to save you from lugging them around.

How do you want to get to the resort?

Plane, train or car? Proximity to airports or train stations can help decide this one. Figuring out the best way to get to a resort differs for each person. For those travelling with young children, the success of your next family break depends on minimal time from the airport to the resort. If you fly, do you want to rent a car once you land to give you some freedom and flexibility? Or do you prefer to pre-arrange an airport transfer and not have to faff? How long is said journey from the airport to the resort?

If you’re flying and plan on parking at the airport in the UK, then Parkhero can help you save time and money on your trip. Say you’re looking for Manchester Airport parking. All you need to do is enter your travel dates and parking preferences, and this comparison platform will show you all your parking options. Easily find the best price and book in under 5 minutes with no need to make an account and no booking fee!

Do you want ski lessons?

Lessons or refreshers are great for beginners through to advanced. Whether you’re starting or keen on an off-piste adventure, some pointers and coaching will help you get the most out of your week. If you or anyone in your party is looking for some lessons or guidance on your holiday, it’s worth looking into the options before you book. Our best tip for how to plan a ski holiday is to book early. Ski schools get booked up in the summer months, so it’s best to book early to avoid disappointment.

What to ask for when choosing your ski school:

• Do they have a good reputation and reviews?
• Are their instructors fully qualified?
• What’s the size of their groups?
• Are their instructors English-speaking?

What equipment do I need to bring?

With ski hire prices increasing, many skiers or boarders ponder the age-old question of whether to hire or buy. This depends on how often you ski (and how much money you’ve got) and what level of skier you are.

Once you become an intermediate, a well-fitted pair of boots is one of the most vital pieces of ski equipment. Every foot is different, and hire boots aren’t moulded to your feet, often leading to an uncomfortable time on the hill. Believe it or not, ski boots can be comfortable, and anyone who has ever suffered shin bang from ill-fitting boots will stress the importance of owning your own – fitted by a professional boot-fitter. 

We recommend buying in-resort so that any niggles can be ironed during the week, ensuring optimum comfort. When it comes to skis, though, whether you need to invest in your pair depends on how often you ski and how you travel to the resort. The cost of ski carriage teamed with infrequent trips and the cost of servicing, means that for many, ski hire is a more viable option.

Critical gear you’ll need to bring include goggles, gloves, ski socks, thermals, mid layers, ski trousers, a ski jacket, and a buff or bandana. You can rent helmets if you choose to, but many people prefer to bring their own. Where to start when it comes to packing for a ski trip? Start here or here.

What else do I need to do before I go?

• Buy ski insurance – You can often get coverage through the credit card you book with, or you can opt for travel insurance.
• Exchange some currency – It’s always cheaper to do it at the bank beforehand than those kiosks in the airport. Or get a borderless account like Monzo, Revolut or Transferwise to exchange money into different currencies on your phone easily.
• Check the weather forecast – The weather is unpredictable in the Alps, so check the weekly forecast for your week so you can pack appropriately. And be mentally/emotionally prepared.