Choosing a winter sports holiday destination can be difficult, there are so many locations and resorts which all offer similar benefits but are quite different. Basically you need to decide exactly what you want from your holiday, and take it from there. For example, do you want great night life? Beginners slopes? Child friendly resorts?
Below, we have listed some topics and advice, to help you when planning your winter sports trip.
How much money do you have to spend on this trip? When choosing any holiday destination there are countries and resorts which are more expensive than others, but with wintersports holidays you also have to consider the cost of ski lessons and equipment hire. Decide on your budget and then research countries which offer the best value for your money, on currency (against the pound on exchange), accommodation, ski lessons, hiring equipment, food, luxuries etc.
Snow is an essential pre-requisite for a winter sports holiday, and with weather becoming more and more unpredictable every year, you don’t want to book your holiday and find that there is no snow. For guaranteed snow you should book high altitude resorts, however the lower resorts tend to have the easier slopes that are preferable for beginners, so make sure your chosen resort has a network of snow cannons.
If you are a novice you will need to look at resorts with instructors, and beginner slopes, you will find it almost impossible to learn on an advanced slope while pros shoot past you. On the other hand, if you are a seasoned skier you may want to head to resorts that offer new challenges, or slopes with amazing views.
If you are a beginner you should choose a resort which has a ski school with a good reputation. It is a surprising statistic, but over 70% of first time skiers do not return to the slopes, and this is mainly because they did not enjoy their ski school experience. It is important that the ski school constantly grade their pupils so that those who take to it naturally can feel that they are progressing during their trip, whilst those who struggle are brought along at a gentler pace so that they do not feel ‘left behind’.
If you are travelling with your partner, there are some stunningly romantic countries and beautiful resorts, with roaring fires, sumptuous food and panoramic views. On the other hand, if you are travelling with children you should look for resorts which are catered to their needs, for example ski school lessons and group activities for children to get involved in.
You need to decide whether you want a short break in Europe, or perhaps to head World Wide. It all depends on how adventurous you are feeling and what your budget will allow. For example, if you have always wanted to visit France, then why not head there to Ski? On the other hand, if you want to explore somewhere new, why not head further afield to Canada?
Whatever choices you make when selecting your ideal winter sports destination, make sure you’re covered by adequate travel insurance before hitting the slopes. Although your chances of suffering injury are very unlikely, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
In the end, the possibilities for ski holidays are almost endless, whether you are a beginner or seasoned pro, family or thrill seeking individual, there are ski destinations all over the world to choose from. So start researching! You can get information and recommendations online, from travel agents and ski forums.
Just remember to invest in quality Winter Sports Travel Insurance before you depart.
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