How to Choose a Winter Sports Resort
Publication Date: Saturday, December 01, 2007
Taking to the piste
When one’s eyes gaze upon freshly fallen snow, one’s soul fills with wonder. Which is usually followed almost immediately by the desire to put one’s mark in it – be that a big stomping footprint or a snow angel, or better yet, the tracks left by gliding down it at speed. So when the winter sets in, the thoughts of many turn to tearing down perfect white slopes like a loon.
And how lucky we are to have a vast selection of resorts worldwide dedicated to exactly that. But how does one choose between them? Concern yourself not... Confused.com are here to offer some handy pointers.
Family values
The main consideration when choosing a resort is whether or not you are looking into a family holiday. If you are going alone or with mates, then how child-friendly a resort is will be unlikely to influence your decision. However, this is the crucial factor if you are taking a family winter sports holiday.
Children love the snow, and a ski holiday is perfect for keeping them active. So why not take them to one of many resorts which cater for kids? There are many with expert lessons available, a variety of slopes for different abilities, and terrific safety records.
Confused.com recommends:
Les Carroz d'Arâches in the Grand massif cluster in the French Alps
The spice of life
It is important for any skier, regardless of age or ability, to have a good range of ski runs – so that you don’t have to keep skiing the same route over and over. Better yet, look into the ability to ski from one resort to another. This usually opens up much larger areas for skiing.
Also look into whether the slopes cater for beginners as well as experts. Ideal resorts will have a good selection for your level of ability – and also if you improve during the course of your stay.
Confused.com recommends:
3 Valleys in France, Via Lattea (The Milky Way) in the Italian Alps
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Access all areas
Easy access to the slopes from your accommodation is important. In a perfect world you can ski from your door. Less attractive is the prospect of having to take a bus or a long walk to the ski lifts... Even for those with fiddlesque fitness, walking in ski boots whilst carrying skis and poles is tiring and awkward.
Confused.com recommends:
Avoriaz in the Portes du Soleil in France
Let it snow, let it snow
Reliable snow is also key. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as it is a pain to have to make a long trip in order to find some half-decent snow.
Some resorts, usually the high ones, have a higher likelihood of good snow. While high altitude resorts have a better chance of good snow, the lower ones can sometime be a disappointment – particularly at either end of the season. In addition to which, resorts that get a lot of sunshine - usually south-facing resorts (in the northern hemisphere) - can get slushy in the afternoons.
Confused.com recommends:
Val Thorens in the French Alps – the highest resort in Europe
Hassle and bustle
It is worth doing some research into how busy the lifts and slopes can get. Popular resorts can be overcrowded, and forever trying to avoid other people can be irksome at best. During peak season there can be huge queues for the lifts as well, so it would be useful to know how long this can take.
Après-ski
The Après-ski can be, for some, as important as the ski. It’s important to be able to unwind after a long day on the piste, so it’s worth finding out if the resort has a good selection of restaurants and bars.
Confused.com recommends:
Mayrhofen in Austria – which hosts the SnowBombing music festival each spring (usually in April)
From ski to skint?
There is a widely-held assumption that a winter sports holiday will cost the Earth. However, it is possible to have an entire ski holiday for between £500 and £600; including travel, accommodation, and equipment hire – whilst not skimping on the nightlife. This is particularly the case where there is a large group of you. If you have people power, and approach hire shops beforehand, it’s possible to get some great deals.
Confused.com recommends:
El Pas de la Casa in Andorra – which benefits from a duty-free status, making it particularly kind on the wallet
Other questions worth asking:
- Is there an up-to-date webcam to see the snow?
- Where is the ski hire shop in relation to the slopes?
- How much will equipment hire cost?
- How much is a lift pass and how far does it extend? ie does it cover skiing out into other resorts or not?
- Is there a ski school for learners? How much does it cost?
- If you’re not going on a package, how will you get from the airport to the resort?
- What will the whole holiday cost?
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