Where should I go for my first ski holiday?
Planning your first ski holiday? We understand that it’s not as simple as booking a summer holiday for various reasons. You will most likely have a series of thoughts running through your mind, for instance, which country you should visit? Which ski resort to stay at? and when to take your trip along with a variety of other thoughts? Chill Factore has put together the perfect guide, full of advice and recommendations to put your mind at ease, making planning your ski trip straightforward and enjoyable.
Where Should I Go Skiing?
Deciding on the destination for your first ski holiday can be challenging, with many ski resorts across Europe to choose from. Deciding which country you would like to visit is our recommended starting point. Once you have made this decision, the next step is to choose the ski resort in your desired destination. If you would like to stay close to home, we recommend visiting a ski resort in Scotland or taking a short journey across the English Channel to France. Looking for a trip further into Europe? Why not try Italy, Switzerland, Austria or Bulgaria, all of which offer fantastic snow-filled experiences. Here are some of the best countries and ski resorts for beginners ski holidays to help you make the right decision.
Scotland
If you have decided to stay close to home for your first ski holiday, Scotland has plenty to offer with three family and beginner-friendly resorts to choose from. Visit Glencoe Mountain ski resort located in the West Highlands and easy to access from the centre of Scotland. With 20 runs and eight lifts to choose from, this activity centre is suitable for beginners ski holidays and the more advanced if your group members want to take on the terrain on one of the longest and steepest runs in Scotland.
France
Take a trip to the French Alps resort Avoriaz which you can access on the A40 motorway between Geneva and Chamonix. This resort is family-friendly with activities to suit all of the family and 3 zones dedicated to beginners. Safety is a priority at this resort, with specially trained staff on-site to watch your wellbeing throughout your stay, making the resort an ideal destination for beginners ski holidays.
Austria
Visit Solden ski resort in Austria for a fun-filled first ski holiday that will meet all of your family’s needs. The resort has loads of beginner runs to choose from and an excellent ski school where the instructors will help you build your confidence on the slopes. Solden also offers a great children’s club so your young children will be in safe hands while you spend the day on the slopes. This is a must visit resort if you want excellent snow conditions for your first ski holiday.
Italy
If you want to go to Italy for your first ski holiday, Flogarida has plenty of beginner runs to choose from whilst offering a family park and other activities throughout the resort. With all the family-friendly activities, great snow school and selection of beginner runs this resort is the perfect place for beginner ski holidays.
What accommodation should I choose?
Once you have finally found the perfect destination for your holiday, it’s time to book your accommodation. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start as each accommodation type is suited to certain budgets, activities and requirements. Here we have provided a few different types of accommodation along with their advantages and disadvantages to help you make the right decision.
Hotels
Staying in a hotel throughout the duration of your first ski holiday can be an enjoyable experience with many luxuries, including spas, swimming pools and saunas, not forgetting the classy restaurants and bars. You can also arrange for shuttle busses to take you to and from the ski slopes, airports and local towns. Forget the stresses of home life and enjoy half or full-board services for the duration of your stay.
Apartments
Alternatively, why not choose an apartment for your stay. Often located in the heart of the ski resorts, you will be conveniently located nearby to restaurants, bars and shops. Ski apartments usually offer a couple of bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom making them ideal for groups and families alike. With cooking being an option and apartments being available to suit various budgets, this can be a great option for an affordable skiing holiday.
Chalets
Ski chalets have become very popular in recent years. These standalone log cabin style buildings are situated within the resorts, are incredibly spacious, making them ideal for group bookings. Get that home-from-home feeling with self catering options and catering packages available to suit. Some advantages of staying in a chalet include; hot tubs, free wifi, private rooms and bathrooms. They are also a great choice if you’re staying on a budget and still want some of the luxuries hotels offer.
When should I take my trip?
If you are in the process of booking your first ski holiday and have already decided on your destination, you’re probably wondering which month you should book your trip for. Ski season takes place during the winter months with most resorts opening from December to April. For more information on the best month for your ski trip, read our article on the best months to plan your ski trip.
Get some practice before hitting the mountains
If this is going to be your first ski holiday, you probably can’t wait to arrive at your destination and start learning how to ski. If you would prefer to learn how to ski before you hit the slopes on your holiday, why not visit us at Chill Factore for ski lessons from our expert instructors. Our lessons are designed to teach you the basics of skiing at a pace that you can enjoy, and many of our customers are ski holiday first-timers just like you. We also offer a lift pass so you can continue to develop your skills once you have completed your skiing lessons or keep in practice if you enjoy skiing.
