Skiing Holidays

Skiing Holidays

Planning skiing holidays means choosing more than a mountain and a set of pistes. The destination, accommodation, lift pass and transport all shape the experience, from the convenience of a high-altitude village to the atmosphere of a traditional Alpine town.

For skiing holidays in the Alps, France and Austria offer a wide choice of destinations, with large interconnected ski areas, smaller mountain villages and accommodation ranging from self-catering apartments to hotels and chalets. Some packages also bring together accommodation, flights and a lift pass.

Skiing holidays in France and Austria

France and Austria provide very different settings for skiing holidays, even within the same mountain range. The size of the ski area, altitude, village layout and atmosphere can all influence the type of winter break.

Extensive ski areas in France

For skiing holidays focused on exploring a large ski area, France has some of the biggest linked domains in the Alps. The 3 Valleys connects several destinations across around 600 km of pistes, while Paradiski links La Plagne, Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry.

Large French ski areas can make skiing holidays particularly varied, with different sectors and types of terrain to discover throughout the week. High-altitude destinations such as Tignes and Val Thorens also provide access to extensive skiing, while destinations such as La Plagne combine several villages with a wide choice of accommodation.

Alpine villages in Austria

Austria brings a different character to skiing holidays, with traditional villages, forested slopes and mountain centres where restaurants and accommodation are often close to the lifts. The atmosphere can be as important as the skiing itself.

For skiing holidays in a large Austrian ski area, Saalbach-Hinterglemm forms part of the Skicircus, with 270 km of pistes and 70 lifts. Mayrhofen provides access to 142 km of pistes, while the Zillertal Arena reaches up to 2,500 metres.

Other destinations create a different setting for skiing holidays. Kitzbühel combines a historic town with extensive skiing, while Obergurgl offers a high-altitude environment with skiing above 3,000 metres.

Choosing a ski area

The right ski area can make a significant difference to skiing holidays, particularly when travelling with a group whose skiing levels differ. The number of pistes matters, but so do their difficulty, layout, altitude and access from the accommodation.

Terrain for different levels

Beginners often benefit from skiing holidays in destinations with gentle nursery slopes, accessible ski schools and accommodation close to the beginner areas. Intermediate skiers may prefer a larger choice of blue and red runs, allowing different routes to be explored during the week.

For experienced skiers, skiing holidays can centre around steeper pistes, higher mountain sectors and more challenging terrain. Large interconnected domains also make it possible to move between different parts of the ski area without skiing the same runs every day.

Altitude and mountain scenery

Altitude can influence skiing holidays, particularly when choosing between a high mountain destination and a lower village surrounded by forests. Higher ski areas provide access to open mountain terrain, while lower slopes often offer a more sheltered landscape.

The scenery also changes throughout skiing holidays in the Alps. A single day can move from wooded pistes near the village to wide, open slopes at higher altitude, creating a very different experience depending on the destination.

Accommodation for skiing holidays

Accommodation plays an important role in skiing holidays, especially when staying for a full week. Apartments, studios, hotels and chalets each offer a different way of organising a stay in the mountains.

Apartments, studios and chalets

For flexible skiing holidays, apartments and studios allow guests to prepare meals independently and choose from different accommodation sizes. They can work particularly well for couples, families and groups looking for their own space.

Chalets provide another option for skiing holidays, with larger living spaces and, depending on the property, facilities such as a sauna or hot tub. Hotels and club-style accommodation can instead provide services such as meals, wellness facilities or organised activities.

Staying close to the lifts

The location of accommodation can have a noticeable impact on skiing holidays. Staying close to a lift or piste reduces the time spent carrying equipment and makes it easier to reach the slopes in the morning.

For family skiing holidays, proximity to ski schools and beginner areas can be particularly useful. In larger ski areas, accommodation near a major lift connection can also make it easier to explore several sectors during the same stay.

Skiing holidays with flights

For skiing holidays from the UK, flights from London provide access to several Alpine airports, followed by transfers into the mountain destinations. Travel times vary depending on the resort and airport, so the journey is worth considering when comparing destinations.

Ski packages can simplify skiing holidays by combining accommodation with flights and, on selected stays, a lift pass. Transfers may also be included depending on the package, bringing several of the main travel arrangements together.

For shorter skiing holidays, the transfer time can be particularly relevant. A destination with a relatively straightforward journey from the airport may leave more time for skiing, while longer stays can make a more remote mountain location worthwhile.

Skiing holidays with lift passes

A lift pass is one of the main elements to consider when organising skiing holidays, as the type of pass determines which lifts and pistes are available during the stay. Some passes cover a local sector, while others extend across an entire linked ski area.

For skiing holidays in a large domain, a wider lift pass can provide access to several villages and different types of terrain. A local pass may be more appropriate when the accommodation is in a smaller ski area or when most skiing will take place around one village.

Packages including a lift pass can make skiing holidays easier to organise, as one of the main costs of the trip is already included. It also allows the total holiday price to be considered alongside accommodation and transport rather than arranging each element separately.