Ski and Winter Sports
Ski and Winter Holidays, Made for the Mountains
A ski holiday combines active days in the mountain air with spectacular scenery: mornings on the slopes, a long lunch on a sunny terrace and an evening by the fire.
Winter sports holidays suit complete beginners as much as experts, and plenty of people come for the mountains rather than the skiing. Resorts differ enormously in size, height, atmosphere and cost, so choosing the right one is what matters, and it is where an independent UK travel agency like Auria can help.
More than the skiing
Skiing and snowboarding are the main event, but they are not the whole holiday. Most resorts also offer winter walking and snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice skating, spas and swimming pools, and mountain restaurants that can be reached by lift without skis.
Then there is the time off the snow: hot chocolate in the village, a fondue or a hearty mountain supper, and the sociable hour at the end of the day known as après-ski.
Choosing a ski resort
The right resort depends on who is going and how they ski.
- Your level
- Beginners need gentle nursery slopes and a good ski school. Confident skiers will want a large, varied ski area to explore.
- Height and snow
- Higher resorts usually have more reliable snow, especially early and late in the season.
- Atmosphere
- Some resorts are traditional villages with wooden chalets and church spires. Others were purpose-built for skiing and put convenience first.
- Getting to the slopes
- Ski-in, ski-out accommodation lets you step straight onto the snow. Elsewhere you may need a walk or a ski bus to the lifts.
- The transfer
- The journey from the airport ranges from under an hour to three hours or more, which matters on a short break or with children.
- Non-skiers
- If some of your party do not ski, look for a resort with plenty to do in the village.
Where to ski
- France
- Large, high, linked ski areas such as the Three Valleys and Paradiski, with a wide choice of catered chalets and apartments.
- Austria
- Friendly villages, good ski schools and a lively après-ski tradition.
- Italy
- Good food and the spectacular scenery of the Dolomites, often at lower prices than its neighbours.
- Switzerland
- Classic mountain resorts with famous views, some of them car-free.
- Andorra and Bulgaria
- Often chosen by beginners and by those looking for a more affordable trip.
- North America
- The USA and Canada are known for light powder snow and wide, uncrowded slopes.
When to go and what to budget for
The main season runs from December to April, with the highest resorts opening earlier and closing later. Christmas, New Year, February half-term and Easter are the busiest and most expensive weeks. January and March are often quieter.
The holiday price is only part of the cost. Lift passes, equipment hire, lessons and lunches on the mountain add up, and many of them can be arranged before you travel. Make sure your travel insurance includes winter sports cover.
How Auria can help
Matching a resort to a group of mixed abilities, ages and budgets takes some knowledge. Our travel professionals start with who is going, how well each of you skis and what you would like to spend, then suggest the resorts and accommodation worth a look. A ready-made ski holiday from a tour operator, with the flights and transfers arranged, suits many groups. If yours needs something different, such as particular dates, a chalet to yourselves or a shorter stay, we can put it together for you.
We look after the booking and are there to answer questions before you travel.
Current Ski and Winter Sports Offers
Below is a selection of current ski and winter sports holidays from Auria. It is not every holiday we can arrange, so if you have a particular resort, date or type of accommodation in mind, tell us and we will help you find something suitable.
Not sure which resort is right for you?
Tell us what you have in mind, even if it is only a rough idea, and one of our travel professionals will talk it through with you.
