Ski Trip Sorted: How to Plan the Perfect Mountain Getaway for Any Group
Planning on booking a ski holiday? Getting the best from the experience often means doing a little bit of planning and preparation and making sure those plans are appropriate to the needs of the party you’ll be taking to the mountain. What works for a family of five might not be appropriate for a group of students.
Let’s take a look at some of the more important things to think about before booking your ski holidays.
Choosing the Right Resort
For family trips, you’ll want to pick a family-friendly resort. Once every member of your group has the right level of experience, you’ll be able to explore some of the more challenging resorts in Europe – but for beginners, it’s crucial to pick a destination that offers the appropriate combination of features. There should be plenty of blue and green slopes, reputable ski schools, and apres-ski activities that will entertain your group on any occasion when you don’t have any great desire to go skiing. Laax, in Switzerland, stands out thanks to its combination of all of these things – but for those looking for a more traditional Swiss resort, the neighbouring village of Flims might be more appealing.
Timing Your Trip
The best resorts will tend to be busiest at certain times of the year, like around the New Year and during the February half-term. To cut your costs and to avoid the crowds, you’ll want to book your holiday outside of these times. You might, for example, think about travel during January or late March. If you want to be sure of decent snow during the late season, you might look for a high-altitude resort, like Val Thorens.
Budgeting and Cost-Saving Tips
It’s easy to spend a great deal on a ski trip. But there are a number of ways to drive down costs. Leaving to one side the idea of travelling during off-peak times, you might look to book in advance, choose self-catering, and explore more obscure resorts. There are plenty of hidden gems to be unearthed in the Alps, if you know where to look. Bardonecchia, near Turin, offers excellent value for money. Explore your options, read reviews from skiers who’ve already visited the resort under consideration, and book your accommodation accordingly.
Preparing for the Slopes
For your time on the slopes to be as safe and enjoyable as possible, you’ll want to make sure that everyone is prepared and equipped. That might mean spending time in the gym before you head out. Strength and endurance in your core and your legs can help prevent your legs from aching at the end of each day. You might book a few sessions at a local indoor slope to get everyone prepared.
The clothes you wear, and the equipment you rent (or buy) also matter. Get three layers of clothing, and make sure that you don’t forget the helmet. It could save you from disaster!
