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Archive for the ‘Ski Holidays’ Category

Ski holidays with the kids can be a lot of fun for the whole family. There are lots of activities that will keep the young ones entertained for days on end, giving the grown ups some time to have some fun on their own.  However, before you go ahead with making plans to take your children with you on your next trip, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

Are your little ones ready to try something new?  All kids are different, so there is no golden age at which they will be ready to learn to ski. The most important thing is that they are enthusiastic about the prospect.

Do they know what to expect?  Spend as time as you can before you go, preparing them and getting them used to the idea. Talk to them, show them some videos, and introduce them to their equipment at home. This will go a long way to satisfying their curiosity and building the anticipation.

Think about what may happen when you get to the resort. Is your child enthusiastic and committed enough to go for the lessons they will need?  If not, it could ruin the holiday for everyone. If you don’t think they are ready you may have to think about leaving them with Grandma, or consider a different type of holiday altogether.

You do want your kids to enjoy ski holidays with you though, and it is a great way for the whole family to have fun. Just make sure they are ready and you will be setting your family up for years of great memories.

Switzerland used to be a skiing destination reserved for the rich and famous, but now it is much more accessible to a range of snow fans thanks to better choices of accommodation and cheaper flights.

One of the most popular areas in Switzerland for skiing is Verbier, which has a good selection of courses for people of all skills to enjoy, although most of the challenging black slopes are best reserved for the true professionals.  Zermatt has outstanding scenery and is also favoured by experts, although there are kinder runs for amateurs too.  For the beginners, Crans Montana and Saas Fee are ideal, and with the help and expertise of the ski instructors on site, even amateurs will soon be stepping up to more difficult courses.

All Switzerland ski resorts have wonderful restaurants to relax and recharge in after a hard day on the slopes, serving hearty local cuisine, plenty of cheese-based dishes as well as international favourites such as pizza and pasta.  The bars can get rather lively too, playing a variety of music and serving everything from local beer to expensive champagne for those splashing out on their ski holiday.

Prices for a ski holiday can vary, so it is best to go for a package deal where you can get most things included and taken care of for you.  After all, who wants to worry about tracking down a value-for-money restaurant after hours perfecting their skiing skills?

Courchevel is a winter paradise, a heaven for skiers or those who simply wish to enjoy the wintery atmosphere. Spread out over five different levels, each at a different altitude, the majesty and magic of Courchevel constantly surprises.

As one of the world’s foremost ski areas, Courchevel is the last word in excellence. Whether skiing or sightseeing, the rich and varied range of activities are sure to delight visitors and the friendly, helpful staff and locals go out of their way to make every day a special memory.

At level 1300 stands a historical, traditional village. This beautifully quaint alpine village is the site of the Olympic ski-jumping hills and connects to level 1850 via forested alpine ski slopes.

For pure family fun, level 1550 offers great value for money, as it includes access to the entire Trois Vallées ski area and a wonderful sledding route from 1850 to 1550.

The first ski lift and a multitude of green and blue slopes can be found at level 1650; it is a great hit with families during the day and for those seeking a celebratory atmosphere in the many après ski establishments.

Travel between all five levels, including that of the lowest and original 1100, which is the end of many ski slopes, is simple and direct.

Before setting off on any cheap skiing holidays, always make sure you have got all the clothing you will need for the trip. Dressing for the slopes is all about layering. You will need a base layer, a middle layer (optional), an insulating layer and an outer layer.

Removing layers applies to your top half only. No matter how warm you get on the slopes – or anywhere else for that matter – it is never a good idea to take off your ski pants. Your legs should always be warm. Thermal underwear, fleece pants and waterproof outer pants will do.

A base layer is made up of close fitting garments that you will not be removing. Essentially, this will be thermal underwear. Your base layer should hug your body but be stretchy enough not to affect your comfort and ability to move. There are various synthetic materials that you could use that move moisture away from your skin, but if you don’t plan on being on the slopes for too long, normal thermal underwear will do.

A middle layer is simply a sweater or a turtle neck. An insulating layer would be a fleece jacket, or any other garment that will keep you warm should you need to take off your outer layer.

An outer layer needs to waterproof.  Any ski shop will be able to advise you on the best brands and fits available. This will also include a pair of gloves.

After you have spent some time looking in the mirror admiring how well skiing suits you, take advantage of one of the many cheap skiing holidays that are available and hit the slopes like a pro.

There are three well-known and respected resorts in America which are well worth considering when planning a ski holiday.

Vail

Vail resort is one of the largest in America and is modeled on the Alpine resorts in Europe. There are 193 runs and 75 lifts along the valley, with 317 km of off-piste skiing. The Vail village, modeled on an Austrian town, has 70 restaurants and plenty of bars and clubs. Add to this a multitude of shops, and Vail offers a good mix of skiing and relaxing.

Breckenridge

The Breckenridge resort recently has received a massive financial investment of $50 million to improve the pistes’ accommodation and amenities. There are 57 lifts and 139 different runs, most of them advanced, but there is a healthy dose of beginner and intermediate runs. The local town has lots of shops, some art galleries and more than fifty restaurants, bars and discos that stay open until the early hours, all of which can enhance one’s downtime, after a day of skiing. With 240 km of off-piste skiing, there is plenty for the experienced and inexperienced alike.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe has all the benefits of a ski resort, with the addition of Nevada casino-lifestyle all around the lake itself. Lake Tahoe offers 84 runs and 48 lifts along with 259 km of off-piste skiing. There is a huge selection of shops, casinos and bars to choose from after skiing. So, if it’s skiing with stunning views that you are after, then Lake Tahoe is your best choice.

These are only three of the large number, of resorts in America and, when planning a ski holiday, there will be plenty of last minute ski deals for the 2011-2012 season available.

Ski holidays make for a great trip away.  There are always plenty of skiing deals to take advantage of.  It always pays to take a little extra time and effort to prepare properly so that you can fully enjoy your trip.

First of all, take out some form of travel insurance.  This is especially important for ski holidays: they carry certain additional risks that lazing on a sandy beach does not.  It is worth discussing the best policies available with a travel advisor.

Similarly, it is worth searching for the best cheap ski holidays.  It is possible to customise your deal so that it works best for you.  For example, you can decide on the cheapest airfares, transfers, lodging arrangements, lift passes and lessons if you need them.

If you want a cheap ski holiday then avoid going at high season.  The less expensive times are early and late season or, if possible, during the week.  If you are more flexible with your dates then you could even wait for a last minute ski deal.

Finally, finding the right destination and accommodation is very important.  In terms of the former, it is worth taking the time to do some research into the most appropriate resort.  For example, if you are a beginner then you will probably want a good selection of nursery slopes, whereas skiers with more expertise should look for terrain that’s challenging.  Similarly, accommodation is just as varied whether you’re travelling alone, with children or with a group of friends.

Skiing is a very enjoyable sport.  However, if you are keen to practice a lot, it can end up being very costly.  Luckily, there are a number of ways you can save on your ski holidays to make it fun and affordable.

First, you need the right gear.  If you can, it is worth buying your equipment in the spring or autumn: avoid the mid-season.  Skiing gear that did not sell well during spring or winter tends to be put back on the shelves during the autumn.  Although the selection may not be as varied, you should be able to find great discounts as the shops try and get rid of last season’s stock.

Make the most out of your skiing gear, before you get the urge to replace it.  This will ensure you get the longest amount of time you can out of it.  Many people opt for only replacing one item each year.  If you purchased good quality clothing and equipment, you should find this works well.  There is no real need to have replicas of anything.

Finally, if you can get the time off, try and book your cheap ski deals in the week as opposed to the weekend.  Lift tickets at the resorts tend to be reduced in price.  Plus, of course, there will be less people around so you will be able to fit in a lot more runs and make the most out of your money.

The skiing season usually lasts from mid-winter until mid- to late-spring and, in general, this is the only period when ski resorts will be open (remember that in countries on the opposite side of the world, the winter is during your summer). There are three different ‘stages’ during a typical skiing season – check online for the starting dates – which are all related to snow fall.

The Off-Peak stage is when the snow cover lower down the mountain is not very good and a limited number of lifts will be open. This is usually at both the beginning and the end of the season. This is a relatively un-busy time of the year.

At the ‘Shoulder’ stage, the mountain will be covered in snow but sales are generally not enough for a resort to open all the lifts and slopes. Again, this is a relatively un-busy time of the year.

The Peak stage is the busiest time when all the areas and lifts will be open. This usually coincides with school vacations and public holidays. This stage is by far the busiest and some resorts can become flooded with skiers.

All of these stages will offer a different skiing experience and the ski deals for 2011-2012 will be different. To get the best of the deals, check online and there will be plenty that will be at a good time or fit the budget.

There are many excellent locations for skiing holidays in Europe, but one of the most popular is France, with its many world class resorts.

Ski Resorts in France

The incredible French Alps offer a huge selection of ski resorts, including some of the more luxurious at Morzine, Tignes, Chamonix and Les Arcs.  All of these areas cater for all abilities, from the experts to those who have never put on a pair of skis before in their life.  There are lessons available at most resorts catering to all experience levels.  Another popular area for skiing in France is Three Valleys, which is the world’s largest ski area, and which offers eight resorts.  There are also more family-orientated areas such as the Pyrenees, the Vosges, the Jura and the Massif Central.

Accommodation

Most resorts offer both luxurious and more affordable accommodation, again catering to all types of people from all different backgrounds.  Depending on the type of holiday desired, visitors can either enjoy themselves with a fully catered resort holiday, or choose to live more independently by deciding on self-catered accommodation in an apartment, villa or chalet.

When to Go

Naturally the busiest period at French ski resorts is during the winter months.  However, cheaper and less crowded holidays can be booked in March, when the weather is a bit warmer, or January, when people look to rest after a hectic festive period.
With affordable accommodation and magnificent scenery, consider a skiing holiday in France.

Despite being a small principality Andorra, nestled in the Pyreness, can offer some surprisingly good value skiing holiday deals.  Couple this with the advantage of tax free shopping and reasonably priced food and drink, and ski holidays in Andorra become accessible and affordable.

The main resorts in Andorra are Arinsal, Pas de la Casa, Ordino-Arcalis, Soldeu and El Tarter.

Arinsal has excellent facilities for beginners and can provide good value skiing holiday deals.  Arinsal, Pal and Ordino-Arcalis are even covered by one single ski pass, thus opening the area up from your base in Arinsal.  Free lift passes for children are often available when booking with an adult.  Free lift passes are also available for under five year olds and over 70 year olds, making this an excellent choice for all generations.

The highest ski resort in Andorra is Pas de la Casa, set within the large Grand Valira ski region.  At an altitude of 2,050 metres high, skiing conditions are excellent in Pas de la Casa as snow is guaranteed.  Transfer time from Toulouse Airport is around two hours and 45 minutes.  Since buses are not permitted in the centre, a short walk will be necessary in order to reach central accommodation, with luggage delivered.

Soldeu and El Tarter are slightly smaller resorts, still with good altitude at 1,800 metres and part of the Grand Valira ski region.  With ski schools and 56 easy runs, this resort suits beginners and families with children.  The Gran Valira resorts are linked via a network of ski lifts, with Soldeu and El Tarter having some of the more traditional tree lined runs.

Ski holidays in Andorra can be booked through a travel agent or online.