*Collaborative post*
Are you planning your first ski holiday? With so many beautiful places to choose from and logistics to organise, it can be tricky to know where to start.
That’s why I’ve put together this quick guide to help you find great beginner-friendly resorts, budget appropriately and plan your travel.
Choosing a destination
There are many short-haul destinations within easy reach of the UK, offering a range of beginner-friendly resorts.
France remains a top choice according to Ski Club Great Britain, with 59% of British skiers visiting last winter.
Other great options include Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, each offering unique experiences in charming mountain resorts.
Finding a beginner-friendly resort
When selecting a resort, you should look for places with gentle slopes where you can learn to master the techniques. Green and blue slopes, for example, are ideal for beginners.
Choose resorts with well-connected pistes and easily accessible lifts to make your experience stress-free.
If you’d like lessons while away, opt for places with professional instructors to help build your confidence.
Unless you’ve bought your own equipment, you’ll also need somewhere with plenty of rental gear options.
Budgeting for your trip
To budget for your time on the slopes, make sure you factor in the typical costs associated with ski trips. Here are some of the expenses involved:
- Travel: think about how you’ll get to your chosen destination. Are you planning to drive and get the ferry, fly or hop on the Eurostar?
- Accommodation: from apartments to hotels and chalets, there are options to suit different budgets.
- Lift passes: prices vary; booking in advance can secure better rates.
- Ski lessons: it may be more wallet-friendly to do group lessons for beginners.
- Equipment hire: renting gear is typically more cost-effective than buying.
- Clothing: you’ll need ski clothing such as base layers, waterproof jackets, salopettes, socks, gloves and so on.
- Food and drink: will you be self-catering or in catered accommodation?
Lonely Planet offers useful tips on how to cut the cost of your trip, including travelling during off-peak times, booking package deals and choosing accommodation lower down the mountains.
How to travel from the UK
There are plenty of ways to travel to European ski resorts. For instance, if you’re heading to the French Alps, you could hop on the Eurostar.
It departs from London St Pancras International and stops at several stations in the French Alps. This includes Aime-la-Plagne, which is ideal for those choosing beginner-friendly Belle Plagne ski holidays.
Another option is to fly, with numerous airports in the UK offering flights to alpine destinations. If you choose a package holiday, you may be able to include flights along with your accommodation, transfers and passes.
Alternatively, you could drive and get the ferry from Dover to Calais. This will take much longer than flights or trains but allows you to stop at multiple destinations en route, if this appeals to you.
By following these tips, you can start organising an unforgettable first ski holiday. Enjoy!