Ten Reasons to Ski in Colorado

1. Bragging rights

How many of your dinner party guests are heading to the Rocky Mountains for their skiing holiday next season? None. Ski yourself interesting by heading across the pond to ski in exclusive resorts such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Breckenridge.

2. Snow

Breckenridge is at 2,926m and Vail is 2,476m. It snows a lot. Yes, it’s cold, but it’s a skiing holiday…get out on the slope…plus every day feels like Christmas Day. Subscribe to Joel Gratz’s http://opensnow.com/ for the latest powder alerts and snow forecasts.

3. Step back in time

Breckenridge is an old mining town and still has its own Gold Pan Saloon, that opened its swinging doors in 1879. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid lived in Colorado in the 1890s but we don’t know if they ever dropped in for a whiskey…

4. Mom ‘n’ Pop stores

The Colorado ski resorts aren’t dominated by corporate America and you can spend your dollars at local stores and get the best service. Everyone speaks English so why not pick the brains of the guys in the ski hire store or coffee shop to get those priceless recommendations you won’t find in any guide-book.

5. World Championship slopes

The 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships was held in Vail / Beaver Creek for good reason, and was the third time it was held in this prestigious area. If you can ski the slopes of Beaver Creek’s famous Birds of Prey course you may be ready for the next World Championships.

6. Deserted mountains

The local ‘weekend warriors’ head to the Colorado ski resorts in their droves on a Saturday morning but don’t hang around and are often back to Denver the same day for the Broncos game. Americans get half the vacation time we do in Europe and don’t even use that. That leaves the slopes deserted for us, especially during the week….

7. Free cookies every day at 3pm on Beaver Creek Mountain

Make sure to head to the base of Beaver Creek Village at 3pm for one of their famous chocolate chip cookies, lovingly passed out by volunteers in full chef uniforms. Remember, if you’re staying in one resort you can often do day-trips to another using local shuttle buses…or even book a multi-stop ski holiday, to combine two or three resorts in one trip.

8. Cat skiing

For $10 in Keystone you can hop into a snow cat and hitch a ride. This offers skiers and boarders the ultimate mountain experience above the tree-line where the resort’s serene and quiet bowls beckon snow enthusiasts. Also check-out the nearby Arapahoe Basin (A-Basin) which is known for its extended season—usually staying open until early June, and sometimes into early July.

9. Variety of Terrain

With more than 5,200 acres of developed ski and snowboard terrain and seven legendary Back Bowls spanning seven miles, Vail has terrain for every level of skier and rider and has been a winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders for over 50 years.

10. Epic Pass

The Epic Pass is a season-long lift pass which gives skiers access to a huge selection of ski resorts from around the globe, for one single price. This year, the pass has its most comprehensive offering, with unrestricted access to 12 American and 30 European resorts on top of the Perisher in Australia and more.

Group Ski Holidays for Friends

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a day on the mountain with all your best friends. Discussing the amazing runs whilst on the chairlift back up, finding those quiet little spots for lunch or a picnic together, and of course partying the night away. The best ski resorts for friends’ groups have perfected the recipe over decades…

Val Thorens

Increasingly well known as a resort where the après ski is as important as the pistes, Val Thorens gets top marks for entertainment options. From La Folie Douce and 360 bar, where the party starts on the piste, to the enormous Malaysia nightclub where you’ll often see in the new day – VT has loads of options in close proximity. Lodging options are all close to the piste and with a variety of bedding configurations so you can make savings by squeezing more mates in a room. More spare Euros for après!

St Anton

St Anton feels like the place where dancing on table in ski boots was born. Visiting this resort, you’re never far from a party and the atmosphere is ideal for groups. A big ski area with a multitude of catered chalets makes St Anton a top choice for a whole chalet booking with friends. The resort’s tongue-in-cheek nickname of ‘St MANton’ might convince you one way or the other, but one thing’s for sure – you should definitely visit this legendary ski resort before you cast judgement.

Mixed Ability Group Ski Holidays

It’s common to have a wide range of abilities when booking a group ski holiday. Your group might have ski season veterans, beginners and everything in between. So the resort you choose needs to have skiing that allows you to all meet up on the mountain and maybe even enjoy a run all together by the end of the week.

Meribel

As part of the 3 Valleys (biggest connected ski area in the Alps), Meribel offers access to a huge variety of skiing and snowboarding options. As the ‘middle’ valley in the area it acts as a springboard to the slopes of Courchevel and Val Thorens, and an easy-to-navigate route home at the end of the day. Meet friends at one of the many après ski venues in the resort, including a World famous Folie Douce and the favourite of many – Le Rond Point.

Val d’Isere

One of the most famous resorts in the world of skiing and for good reason. Val d’Isere offers something for every type of skier. The huge Espace-Killy ski area (linked with Tignes) is a mix of cruisey blues, challenging reds and some seriously steep black runs. At the end of the day all the final runs funnel down into the main town which is vibrant with après and about as ‘classic Alpine’ as you can get, especially around Christmas and New Year. Many of our seasonaires go back year after year which is high praise indeed.

Just like a great bottle of wine, your birthday celebration and that photo of the strange looking dog on Facebook, a ski holiday is an experience best shared. What better way to enjoy the benefits of a catered chalet holiday than by having a quintessential Alpine home for JUST you and your group?

The breakfast, afternoon tea and 3 or 4 course evening meal, an expert hosting team to give you all the inside information about your resort, lift pass, ski hire, flights and transfers all included in the price (with Ski All-In) are staples of any Skiworld holiday, but if you book early you can have the pick of our best chalets on the dates you want and what’s more enjoy a  Whole Chalet Discount of £50 per person OFF when you book an entire property.

The best bit though, is that this discount from Skiworld is COMBINABLE with selected other offers, which enables you to make even more savings on your 2019 ski holiday! We’ve put together some sample deals below so you can see just how rewarding sharing can be…

Best Value Chalets

Chalet Cicero, Les Arcs

Our very own ‘chocolate box chalet’ offers a traditional cozy ski chalet experience so you and your group can enjoy yourselves in total privacy. Think; drinks in front of the wood burning stove in Winter, or sunny après afternoons on the veranda in Spring. Perfect.

Sleeps: 8

Sample date: 22^nd December 2018

Brochure price pp: £780pp

Full chalet booking saving: £50pp, £400 total

Ski all-in saving: £110pp

Total potential savings pp: £160pp

Chalet Alice, Les Deux Alpes

In the heart of Deux Alpes, Chalet Alice provides the enviably ideal balance of being close to the slopes for skiing and close to town for après as well as being great value. With a couple of communal areas and plenty of seating, Chalet Alice is great to book as a whole chalet for a mixed group of skiers.

Sleeps: 14-16

Sample date: 16^th February 2019

Brochure price pp: £1382pp

Full chalet booking saving: £50pp

Ski all in saving: £75pp

Total potential savings pp: £125pp

Chalets with the Best Features

The Aigle Ski Lodge, Tignes

A cracking location for a big ski lodge, with the benefit of hotel-like facilities such as a private indoor swimming pool, sauna, open fire and bar. Also very close to the piste and the humming après of Le Lac. Perfect for a BIG group.

Sleeps: 42

Sample date: 6^th April 2019

Brochure price pp: £1496pp

Full chalet booking saving: £50pp

Ski all in saving: £155pp

Total potential savings pp: £205pp

Idyllic Ski Chalets for Groups

Chalet Louisa, Alpe d’Huez

A lovely freestanding chalet to call your own with luxuries such as a private hot tub and sauna. Chalet Louisa is ski-in/ski-out in normal conditions, and is set in a quiet location so you can really enjoy the surroundings on your group ski holiday.

Sleeps: 16-18

Sample date: 5^th January 2019

Brochure price pp: £863pp

Full chalet booking saving: £50pp

Ski all in saving: £200pp

Total potential savings pp: £250pp

Chalet Chamois Volant, Les Deux Alpes

A traditional Alpine farm dwelling transformed into a haven of refined charm with luxurious touches. Chalet Chamois Volant is a stand-alone chalet with all en-suite rooms, a balcony hot tub and excellent access to both the resort and the ski slopes. One of the most idyllic chalets in our entire programme.

Sleeps: 14-17

Sample date: 19th January 2019

Brochure price pp: £984pp

Full chalet booking saving: £50pp

Ski all in saving: £155pp

Total potential savings pp: £205pp

Whole Chalets for Families

Chalet Daniel, La Rosiere

Located in a perfect resort for families with sledding, horse-drawn carriages, a ‘woodland walk’ and child-friendly runs, Chalet Daniel ticks more boxes than you need to think about. Finished to a top spec standard and including a private sauna, there’s plenty for adults to enjoy too.

Sleeps: 12-13

Sample date: 22^nd December 2018 (Christmas)

Brochure price pp: £830pp

Full chalet booking saving: £50pp

Ski all in saving: £100pp

Total potential savings pp: £150! Children in the extra bed in room 5 pay half price

Chalet Jacques, Courchevel

Very close to the slopes with quick and easy access to the Three Valleys ski area – ideal if you have kids in tow. Chalet Jacques is a recently built luxurious chalet, complete with an outdoor hot tub and sauna, as well as a communal balcony to enjoy the mountain views.

Sleeps: 10

Sample date: 6th April 2019 (Easter)

Brochure price pp: £1,511

Full chalet booking saving: £50pp

Ski all in saving: £165pp

Total potential savings pp: £215pp

Best Chalets for friends Group Skiing

Chalet Bouquetin, Tignes

A great value and perfect size ‘friends’ chalet considering the added extras that your mates will LOVE – (almost) ski in/out, a fantastic sauna and hot tub combo, spacious rooms and super easy access to Tignes Le Lac après and nightlife.

Sleeps: 10

Sample date: 23rd March 2019

Brochure price pp: £873pp

Full chalet booking saving: £50pp

Ski all in saving: £125pp

Total potential savings pp: £175pp

Looking for inspiration for your 2018/19 ski holiday? Look no further.

Next season we are offering 7 night holidays for the first time in these amazing resorts. Why not try somewhere new in 2018/2019?

Flaine

Flaine offers practical ski-in/ski-out accommodation in one of France’s largest linked ski areas, the Grand Massif. Undoubtedly the beating heart of the ski area, as well as being the biggest town Flaine also offers the best skiing in the Grand Massif, with a range of terrain for all abilities.

Les Carroz

If you like the sound of the extensive skiing of the Grand Massif, but are looking for a slightly smaller-town feel, Flaine’s neighbour Les Carroz could be for you. A big hit with families, due to its serene location and protected and quiet beginner area, the 1 and a half hour transfer from Geneva makes this one of the most easily accessible resorts in France.

La Tania

A fantastic base for those looking to ski the Three Valleys, Courchevel and Meribel in particular, for a fraction of the price. Skiing around La Tania is tree lined, with the resort lying at 1400 metres, and further afield lies the 600kms of the largest ski area in the world, with all ski needs catered for.

Les Menuires

Recent developments have seen more picturesque and traditionally styled architecture appearing in Les Menuires, making this a great base for a week exploring the Three Valleys. The resort’s position below Val Thorens gives easy access to some of the highest and most snow-sure slopes in the ski area, meaning great skiing all season long.

Chamonix

One of the most well-known resorts in the Alps, set against a backdrop of the highest mountain in the range, Mont Blanc. Chamonix is famous as a Mecca of off-piste skiing, but all levels can enjoy a stay in any of the 5 main areas which make up Chamonix Valley, with a free bus connecting all villages.

Avoriaz

Amazing skiing is on your doorstep in Avoriaz, with its altitude of 1800 metres meaning you can step straight out onto the slopes. The Portes du Soleil area is a firm favourite with snowboarders, with plenty of boarder friendly slopes, five snowparks and a super pipe. And it comes with the added benefit of being a car-free resort, so hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a great way to get around.

Here is the full list of great self-catered properties we are now offering in these fantastic resorts, as well as more self-catered properties new to Skiworld in some of our old favourties:

Val d’Isère is undergoing the most ambitious building project undertaken anywhere in the Alps in a generation.

One of British skiers’ favourite resorts looks set to rise in popularity once more. Val d’Isère began work in September on a €200m (£170m) redevelopment of the centre of the resort, undergoing a project which they aim to have completed by 2022.

‘Le Coin De Val’ redevelopment will take place between the bus station roundabout, Dick’s Tea Bar and a 250m stretch along the main Avenue Olympique towards La Daille.

Highlights of Val d’lsère’s Redevelopments:

• New arrivals will be greeted by a welcome centre and tourist office with enclosed, relocated bus station and underground roads.
• Rather than relying on the bus service to access the lifts, skiers will be able to use an underground moving walkway from the centre of town to the Olympique and Solaise gondolas.
• A new piste will extend from the slopes to the new development, meaning more ski-in accommodation in the heart of town.
• The medieval inspired ‘Val Tower’ will be the face of the new district, serving as the entrance to the shops and cafes and featuring a top floor restaurant with panoramic views.
• Two new hotels will be built, both three or four star, and a residence housing 20 4-bed apartments.
• Two apartment complexes will also create 100 new private homes.
• Popular bar Le Petit Danois will be relocated to a new pedestrianised area, with a new shopping street which also includes Bar Jacques and Le Lodge restaurant. Longstanding favourite Dick’s Tea Bar is also set to be relocated.
• New childcare facilities will be created with a crèche and kindergarten.

This is set to be one of the most exciting, large-scale resort developments in recent years. It follows the big investment already made by Val d’Isère in the redevelopment of the Solaise area in 2016.

The style of the new building work will seek to replicate the unplanned nature of village architecture; It will give the impression of a collection of buildings which have been added to gradually over time, rather than developed as a single project, using a mixture of modern and traditional building materials.

How Would the Redevelopments Affect My Val d’lsère Ski Holiday?

The project, which will see 900 guest beds added to the resort’s capacity, will take place in three phases, minimising impact on winter seasons, and on your holiday. The works will only improve the experience of skiing in Val d’Isere, and might just cement its place as the top choice French resort for British skiers for years to come.

If you are currently planning your next ski holiday, you can check our exclusive ski guide, covering everything you need to know about Val d’Isere including current ski conditions and weather, as well as showing the exclusive Skiworld chalets, and the apartments and hotels on offer in the area.

Watch the Video…

Everything You Need to Know About Easter Ski Deals 2018

When is Easter 2018?

Good Friday – 30^th March

Easter Sunday – 1^st April

School holidays in most regions in England are from 30^th March 2018 – 13^th April 2018

…Meaning if you book a holiday departing on 24^th March, you will see quieter slopes before schools break up, and you only need to take 4 days leave from work as the Friday is a bank holiday!

Other popular weeks this season for Easter ski deals are departing 30th March and 7th April.

Why Ski at Easter?

The lifts are open later – daylight hours are longer too, so you could have a relaxed lunch and ski for that little bit longer. The Easter fortnight is popular in some resorts, but slopes are often empty compared with peak winter dates such as February half-term.

Prices are lower – Easter is not a peak time so prices tend to be lower, especially when compared with the February and Christmas / New Year. Late March is usually as cheap as mid-January and in April some resorts also drop their lift pass prices for the Easter ski holiday weeks. You may also pick up some bargains in ski shop end-of-season-sales.

It’s sunnier – this means you have longer days to ski and can wear less layers of ski clothing. It’s also a great time to learn to ski – especially for families with young children who don’t like the cold. It’s much more enjoyable having a ski or board lesson when you’re cosy – inevitably there’s some standing around during the initial learning stages and a harsh winter’s day when the thermometer drops below zero this can be a challenge.

Al fresco lunches – wear your sunnies and T-shirts at lunchtime, splash on the the Factor 50 suncream, and take in the mountain vistas on a restaurant’s sunny terrace. If you are on a tight budget, picnic lunches become fun and quick rather than a financial necessity (allowing more time on the slopes rather than waiting for your meal in a café, if you’re keen to make the most of your time).

Bluebird days – generally there are more blue sky days, but there are also snowy days – and occasionally there are some of the heavy snow falls April. Best case is to wake up to a clear blue sky in the morning after a night of fresh snow…

Ski Conditions

When is the best Easter to go skiing for a couple of decades you ask?! This Easter! The snow this year really has been once in a ski lifetime for some, and all the signs are pointing towards one of the best Easters for snow. See the resorts we have selected below, where snow will have kept best from the early season mega-dumps.

Best Destinations for Easter Ski Holidays

Simply put, these resorts are your 3 best bets for a fantastic week’s skiing at Easter:

Val Thorens – Europe’s highest resort town at 2300 metres is one of the most snowsure from the start of the season right through to May. Hedge your bets by staying in Val Thorens, but if the late season snow is good lower down too, you have the whole 600km of the Trois Vallees ski area on your doorstep.

Zermatt – Whilst Val Thorens is Europe’s highest resort village, Zermatt boasts Europe’s highest lifts, stretching up to a dizzying 3820 metres. This means access to high snow is better than anywhere else. Combine this with the ski runs on the glacier, and the excellent snow-making facilities in resort, and you are guaranteed amazing skiing any time.

Tignes and Val d’Isere – Where better to soak up some sun than on the terrace of one of the many bars and restaurants which are on your doorstep in the Espace Killy. The height of these resorts guarantees access to good skiing, and the great Spring atmosphere guarantees a good time.

 Best Easter Ski Deals

See all other Easter Ski Deals here, with loads of great reductions.

Already thinking about Easter 2019? Why not check out our amazing Ski-All-In deals – you can save hundreds of pounds by buying all inclusive on your Easter 2019 holiday.

Whether you’ve got a group of 8 or 80, taking a group ski holiday is a great way to share the myriad experiences the mountains can offer.
The spice is in the variety of the group itself. You’ll either have different ski abilities, a range of ages, a mix of couples and singles and almost always a differing opinion on the best holiday bedtime! So to help you out, here’s some expert advice to get you off to the best start when booking your next group ski holiday.

Top 8 Group Ski Holiday Tips

1. Book Early

Not only will you get the widest choice of chalets, but the ones with desirable extra features such as hot tubs and ski-in/ski-out will be more available the earlier you book. In addition, Early Booking Offers (often called EBOs in the industry) are becoming bigger and better so you can make huge savings.

2. Know the Individuals

Does anyone have specific requirements for their diet or more importantly a disability which might restrict your chalet choice? If you have small children you may want to consider a resort with a short transfer time, and older members may not enjoy the effects of high altitude for example.

3. Prioritise the Group’s Needs

What would exhilarate everyone? Here’s the main criteria for those of you new to group ski holidays (but you will no doubt have your own).
a. Date – Everyone who you want to be there will need to be able to take time off work
b. Budget – Be as inclusive as possible
c. Resort – Slopes to suit all abilities
d. Luxuries – Will having ski-in/ski-out make or break your experience?
e. Extras – Will you want a day off from the slopes to do something else – a day in the spa maybe?

4. Ask For Deals

You may find that you can get a specific group deal if you book over the phone or directly with a tour operator such as Skiworld, rather than with a travel agent. Discounts on full chalet bookings (Whole Chalet Discount) and Ski All-In Deals including lift passes and ski hire are great examples.

5. Fix The Group Size

By setting a manageable limit on places you’ll make two key jobs easy. Firstly, it’ll allow you to make a shortlist of chalets and secondly you’ll be able to generate a buzz for everyone to commit if there’s only a set amount of places on your trip!

6. Get the Money

Before you’ve even decided exactly where and when to go, get as many people as you can to pay you a deposit. This way you’ll know how many people are actually keen to go and you’ll be ready with the cash to strike when a great deal presents itself.

7. Take Charge

A group leader is one person and the buck stops with them. Its so much easier to have one person in charge of organising. Make sure that person is well organised, great with money and an excellent communicator. If that isn’t you, share this post with that friend who’s ‘the glue’ in the group.

8. Go All-In

Get quotes with everything included; lift passes, ski hire and ski carriage are the main things. Find out how much the ‘tax de sejour’ is in the resort too. Avoiding any extra costs once you arrive on holiday will keep everyone happy.

The saying goes, ‘breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper’. Well at Skiworld we like to dine like kings and queens all the time, and breakfast is no exception, with afternoon tea and dinner fit for royalty too.

That said, we’re pretty pleased with our new breakfast menu, launched for this season.

We’ve listened to your valuable feedback and taken it on-board, to bring you something a bit different. Gone with those repetitive boring sausages, and in with variety; the spice of life.

We’ve developed an exciting week worth of breakfasts, with something new to try each day. All are tasty and all will set you up for a day on the snow, to fuel your fire until you get back to that afternoon tea that is waiting for you on your return.

Here’s a tantalising taster of what you can look forward to over your week…

The Full Monty | Of course we could never totally forgo the old classic; we all know a big cook up is hard to beat. This is an English breakfast with all the goodies; eggs, sausages, bacon, mushroom, beans, hash browns…the lot.

The Super Fuel | Poached eggs on a bed of wilted spinach, served with oven-roasted chilli tomatoes, bacon and a side tomato pesto and parmesan toast. Something a bit different, packed with punch.

The American Dream | French toast, either sweet (with fruit compote or banana & honey) or savoury (with baked beans), both served with a side of bacon. Whether it’s “eggy bread” from your childhood or a reminder of the big breakfasts on a holiday stateside, we think this is a great start to the day.

We’ve really enjoyed curating (and taste-testing) this new breakfast menu and it wouldn’t have happened without your feedback – so thank you for helping us improve and we hope you’ll enjoy the results!

Whistler, in British Columbia, Canada opened its slopes in 1966 and is consistently ranked as the number one ski resort in North America. Home of the 2010 Winter Olympics and legendary due to its epic terrain, it’s one of those places that is on every skier’s bucket-list.

The Stats

• Ski area: 8,171 acres of skiable terrain across the two mountains
• Highest lift: 7th Heaven chair on Blackcomb reaches 2240 metres
• Average Snowfall: 11.7 metres per year
• 200+ marked ski trails, 3 glaciers and 16 alpine bowls
• Longest trail: Peak to Creek (Whistler) and Green Road (Blackcomb), both 11km long
• Ski season: North America’s longest, running from late November until late April

Fun Facts

• Whistler Mountain, formerly known as London Mountain, changed its name in 1965, inspired by the whistling sound of the Hoary Marmots that greeted summer hikers
• Due to Whistler’s coastal proximity, temperatures are moderate through the winter season, rarely dropping below -10C in the village and -15C on the slopes
• Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and the legacy of the games still lives on. The ‘Dave Murray Downhill’ trail, named after the legendary Canadian ski racer, is an epic downhill course, that hosted numerous World Cup races in the games. It’s widely considered one of the best downhill courses in the world and definitely one to tackle if you have a need for speed.
• Whistler’s record-breaking Peak 2 Peak gondola is the highest and longest supported cable car in the world. Wait for one of the silver gondolas which are glass-bottomed, for incredible views of the valley below, from a mind-boggling height of 436 metres.
• The Horstman Glacier on Blackcomb is open to skiers and boarders through the summer, so riders can practice their sport even in the hotter months.
• Whistler is well known for its many resident black bears, that can be seen during the summer months.

Why is it so good?

The Mountain – It is actually two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, linked by the famous PEAK 2 PEAK gondola, these mountains are home to 200+ marked trails. PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola traverses the almost 3-mile distance between the two peaks in 11 minutes. There are 37 other lifts.

Powder Mornings – Powder. Sweet, sweet, powder. Measured in metres, not centimetres, Whistler gets huge snow! Winter 2015-16 and 2016-17 both produced a whopping 12+ metres. Get a head start on the hill by purchasing a Fresh Tracks Mountain Top Breakfast ticket that gives you early access on Whistler Mountain so you can eat a full breakfast and get a few laps in before everyone else.

World-class Après – With its unique buzz and vibe, the Village Stroll is definitely where it’s at. There’s plenty of fun to be had, from shopping, dining, spas and art museums to activities such as ice skating over at the Olympic Plaza, tubing, snowmobiling, zip trekking and bungee jumping. Whistler Village has over 90 eateries and is home to some of the best chefs in the country.

Accommodation – Whistler (125km north of Vancouver) has a massive range of every type of accommodation from budget lodgings to high-end luxury. Popular properties include the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, the Four Seasons Resort Whistler and the Delta Whistler Village Suites.

Heli-ski Heaven – Perhaps the ultimate ski experience and more affordable than you might expect, Whistler Heli-skiing offer a great range of packages for intermediate skiers and above, giving access to virgin backcountry terrain, in an area 50 times the size of Whistler Blackcomb.

Whistler is Epic – Skiing at Whistler Blackcomb is now included in the Epic Season Pass, which offers unlimited skiing in 12 major resorts in North America, including Vail and Breckenridge.

Getting There is Easy – There are daily flights with BA and Air Canada from Heathrow to Vancouver, then a straightforward two-hour journey along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler resort. And while you’re there, add a day or two in Vancouver at the start or end of your ski holiday.

Canada Offers

Early Booking Offers for Canada 2018/19
Canada holidays for the 2018/19 season are now on sale! And what’s more, there are some amazing Early Booking Offers to take advantage of right now. See our blog to learn where the best Canada 2019 ski deals are to be found, or use the date filter to see all deals below.

To most of us, skiing in February means dodging kids on the slopes with the precision and accuracy of Dave Ryding on a slalom run. But if you’re savvy you can avoid the crowds and find some great skiing at low prices when you book last-minute.

When is half term 2019?

UK half term in 2019 will be the holiday week starting on Saturday 16th February, returning on 23rd February. Good to know for families looking to book, or for groups without kids looking to avoid the busy week.

February skiing conditions

In addition to avoiding the crowds, also consider altitude and weather. February in the Alps is traditionally a stormy month. Whilst this inevitably means snow (excellent), it can also mean wind and whiteouts and maybe rain (not excellent). Additionally, the Foehn winds can bring unusually warm temperatures into some lower altitude valleys in the Northern alps, accelerating the potential for a thaw.

Top tips for finding the best skiing in February

1. Look for resorts that offer access to some skiing below the treeline, often meaning you can make the most of a full day’s skiing even if the visibility isn’t ideal.
2. In general, the higher the altitude of the village/resort base, the more likely you’ll be able to ski-in/ski-out conditions and a greater chance of snow rather than rain!
3. If a resort is described about as ‘good for families’, it’s likely to be busier in February due to the school holidays in most European countries.
4. Consult a knowledgeable ski tour operator staffed by experienced skiers, many ex-seasonaires who really know their onions when it comes to the best ski resorts in Europe.

Top 4 Ski Resorts in February:

1. Val Thorens – The highest resort in Europe with multiple geographical aspects. Also part of the 3 Valleys ski area so a variety of lower altitude slopes below the treeline are within skiing distance.
2. Tignes – plenty of skiing at high altitude to ensure that skiing in the rain is very The sheer size of the Tarrentaise means you’ll rarely be without a skiing option.
3. Val d’Isere – A vast area with long high alpine runs and also gladed tree skiing in the local area, but also connected with Tignes for high altitude snow-sure skiing on the Grand Motte glacier.
4. Zermatt – High altitude skiing on the Swiss side, and usually even better conditions over the border in Cervinia which is included on the full area lift pass and well worth a visit.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity for the best February skiing… Take a look at our February chalet holiday ski deals, some at over half price!

*source: www.schoolholidayseurope.eu