SKIING IN EUROPE

Practical Tips and Lessons Learned

After more than 25 years of skiing in Europe, we’ve picked up plenty of lessons along the way.

Some have come from discovering wonderful resorts, while others have come from learning how to plan a ski holiday that offers good skiing without spending more than necessary.

Here are a few things we’d recommend considering before booking your next European ski trip.

Choose Your Travel Dates Carefully

If you have flexibility over when you travel, the dates you choose can make a real difference to the cost and feel of your holiday.

We particularly like the last two weeks of January.

The Christmas and New Year rush has passed, and the February half-term crowds are still ahead in many resorts.

We often find this period quieter and better value, with plenty of opportunities for good skiing.

Of course, snow conditions vary from year to year, so we also look at altitude and the resort’s usual operating season when choosing where to go.

High-altitude resorts can offer a better chance of reliable snow, particularly at the beginning and end of winter, but it’s always worth checking the latest conditions before travelling.

Book Your Accommodation Early

European ski resorts offer everything from luxury chalets and five-star hotels to hostels and self-catering apartments.

We’ve found that booking early gives us a better choice of accommodation, particularly when we’re looking for a convenient location close to the slopes.

For January skiing, we usually aim to book between May and early June.

You don’t necessarily need to book that far ahead for every resort, but it gives us more time to compare properties and find somewhere that suits our budget.

Ski-in/ski-out accommodation has been particularly convenient for us.

Being able to step outside and head straight onto the slopes saves time and makes the start of each ski day much easier.

Check Lift Passes and Ski Hire Before You Travel

Don’t automatically buy the biggest lift pass available.

Some resorts have a local pass covering plenty of skiing, while others offer access to much larger interconnected areas.

Think about how many days you’ll ski, your ability and whether you’ll genuinely use the extra terrain.

Buying online in advance may also provide savings, depending on the resort and the type of pass.

The same applies to ski hire. Compare prices before you arrive, and check whether booking online offers a discount.

It’s also worth considering the location of the rental shop, particularly if you want to collect your equipment close to your accommodation or the lifts.

Don’t Underestimate Ski Lessons

Ski schools have been invaluable over the years, particularly when our children were learning.

Lessons help beginners build confidence and develop good habits from the start.

More experienced skiers can also benefit from instruction, whether they want to improve their technique, tackle more challenging pistes or become more confident on unfamiliar terrain.

Even after years on skis, there’s always something new to learn. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend lessons if they would help you get more enjoyment from your holiday.

Our Handy Tip: Renting or Buying Ski Equipment?

If you ski regularly, buying your own skis and boots may eventually work out cheaper than renting them every time.

However, it depends on how often you ski, the quality of the equipment you buy and the cost of renting at your chosen resorts.

You’ll also need to consider maintenance, transport and storage.

Our advice is to compare the costs over several seasons before deciding.

If you ski for a week or two every winter, owning your own boots in particular may be worth considering for comfort and fit, even if you continue to rent skis.