Ski Resorts

Choosing the Best Ski Resorts

Choosing the best resort for your ski holiday can be a headache, which is why we’ve done the hard work for you. Get the resort right, and you can rest assured you’ll enjoy the very best ski or snowboard holiday ever. When choosing your resort, it’s very important to take into consideration a variety of factors:

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Cost

Not just the cost of accommodation and getting there, but also the cost of expensive extras such as:

• Lift passes
• Tuition
• Equipment hire
• Restaurants
• Bars and supermarkets

Costs can vary dramatically. Somewhere such as Courchevel 1850 will cost as much as €35.00 for a burger, fries and beer on the mountain. Compare that against Obergurgl at just €12.00 for the same thing.

Ski Terrain

It isn't so wise to go to Chamonix or Val d'Isere for your first ski holiday because your best friend always skis there. Many Brits sadly over estimate their ability and assume that they are experts when they ski just once a year. Resorts such as La Plagne, Soll, Valmorel, Kaprun, Saas Fee, Cervinia etc. are actually fine for the majority of skiers - be honest with yourself about your ski ability. Beginners will be far better off at somewhere such as La Rosiere or Kuhtai. Equally setting a group ski holiday around the needs of the one non-skier isn't a wise move either. It's always a balancing act and compromises have to be sought but with Snowfinders’s expertise and guidance, you can be sure you’ll find the perfect ski holiday to suit your requirements.

When to Ski

You may be governed by school holidays or specific dates but in general, avoid half term - it's the highest priced week of the season and usually the most crowded. Maybe opt for a pre-Christmas jaunt or an Easter excursion instead. The cheapest weeks to go skiing will be pre-Christmas holidays, early January, and post Easter - don’t worry about snow conditions on these dates, as Snow Finders can locate you resorts with virtually guaranteed snow. Here’s a bit more on this:

Early December

Many resorts offer reduced-price ski lift passes, although there’s always the chance of poor early-season snow. It’s worthwhile plumping for one of the higher, snow-guaranteed resorts.

January

As with the January sales, you can find some great ski deals this time of year as soon as New Year’s been and gone. While January’s a wonderful month for snow, it can be freezing and the days are a lot shorter. That said, this month is wonderful if you’re looking for brilliant snow and no queues.

February

Often the busiest month with skiers, February is undoubtedly peak season, and sees hundreds of half-term skiers hitting the slopes. As such, prices soar. If you don’t have kids, we’d recommend avoiding these peak times what with their high price tags and hectic pistes.

March

This is the month for leisurely lunches and evening drinks on the sun terraces as you make your way back to the resort after a hard day on the slopes. However, these warmer temperatures mean the snow is slushier and that pistes are lower.

April

Spring has well and truly sprung in April! It’s all about mushy slopes, BBQs, balmy days with hours on end of sunshine. Have children? Easter’s the last opportunity to ski with much calmer pistes than February half-term.

Apres ski

If you like to party hard then there are great options out there, such as Ischgl, St Anton, Verbier, Zermatt, Val d'Isere, Mayrhofen, Les Deux Alpes, Saalbach, Meribel, and many more. If you’re looking for a more laidback time then the quieter villages of Champoluc, Peisey-Vallandry and Kloster, amongst others, will all appeal. If you’re seeking a party in the mountains, then call Snowfinders and we’ll locate the perfect ski holiday for your needs.

Get the Best Out of Your Skiing Holiday

Curious to know the best places to ski? Fancy going skiing in the late season?  Or perhaps you’re on the hunt for a snowy Christmas holiday or Easter break?

Where to Go for Late Season Skiing

Looking for a late-season trip to the mountains? Does the thought of long days, blue skies and google tans fill you with excitement? Check out Cervinia, Italy as well as Tignes and Val Thorens ski resorts in France.

Where to Go for a Snow-Sure Holiday

It’s safe to say you’d prefer a winter wonderland over a mud bath, right? You definitely don’t want to risk the chance of zero-snow, particularly in the early or late season. High ski resorts, such as Lech and Obergurgl in Austria, and Tignes in France are good choices and snow is pretty much guaranteed.

Where to Go for Christmas Skiing

What’s not to love about a traditional Christmas skiing trip? The wild parties, lashings of festive fun for littles ones as well as cultured glamour are what make skiing holidays so much fun, coupled with blazing log fires and gorgeous panoramas. Enjoy an idyllic, snow-laden Christmas ski holiday in resorts such as Alpbach - Austria, and Klosters and Saas-Fee in Switzerland.

The Best Ski Trips for Skiers of all Abilities

Whatever your skiing aptitude, we have ski packages galore. Take a peek below where you’ll find a wealth of European ski resorts just waiting to be enjoyed…

Beginners

Learning to ski can be difficult, regardless of your age. What equipment do you need? Where’s the best place to go? If you’re new to skiing, plump for a resort that offers a ski school and gentle slopes to get you comfortable. We’d recommend Courchevel 1850 or Alpe d’Heuz – France.

Intermediates

It’s time to start developing your skiing method as well as explore resorts where you can relish loads of snowy fun in French ski resorts, like Courchevel La Praz, Les Arcs 2000 and Tignes ski package holidays.

Novices

Advanced skiers will want to be challenged, so take a trip to the spectacular four valleys ski area of Verbier in Switzerland, where you’ll experience the Mont Fort and the Tortin bumps, two of the most famous runs in the world. Or head to Chamonix, France, which is perfect for those wanting to venture off piste. With its steep, deep terrain it’s, without doubt, an expert’s resort.

Snowboarders

Boarding buffs won’t go wrong with a Swiss ski resorts such as Verbier, Austria ski resorts such as St Anton or Switzerland ski resorts like Davos, all of which cater for snowboarding enthusiasts. On a budget? Opt for self-catering at Alpe d’Heuz or Flaine ski resorts in France, or Alps ski resorts like Cervinia.

Best Places to Ski for Families

Got the kids with you on your skiing expedition? Want to go somewhere that accommodates all the needs of your family? You won’t be disappointed with our plush family ski resorts in Europe like Obergurgl in Austria, Wengen in Switzerland or Alpbach in Austria.

Weekend Escapes

Ski-loving couples in need of an action-packed weekend on the slopes ought to check out Italian ski resorts such as Courmayeur, Alpbach in Switzerland or Chamonix in France Found a resort you like and fancy a ski deal? Then click here.