TOP 10 Ski breaks
Whether you’re a novice or an expert, on a budget or want luxury, there’s a ski resort to suit you...
1 WENGEN, SWITZERLAND Seven
nights from €903pp It’s not only the skiing in the famous Jungfrau region that will take your breath away – the spectacular mountain scenery is a stunner too. Set above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, this charming car-free resort offers gentle long runs for easygoing intermediates. And with smart stores, great restaurants and oodles of alpine charm, Wengen attracts its fair sprinkling of non-skiers as well. THE DEAL: Family-run Hotel Alpenrose dating back to 1881 has glorious mountain and valley views from its position on a sunny plateau. Save up to €281pp on seven nights at the three-and-a-half-star hotel with breakfast and five-course dinner now starting at €903pp including flights on January 20 from Gatwick to Geneva and transfers. Inghams also has a buy-one-get-one-half-price offer on adult and senior local area six-day lift passes for ski packages to the Jungfrau ski region, booked up to four weeks prior to departure. inghams.co.uk/ ski-holidays, 0044 01483 791 114 2 LES DEUX ALPES, FRANCE Seven nights from €474pp Skiers and snowboarders from the West Midlands will find sloping off to this French resort even easier this winter with the launch of Jet2’s new route from Birmingham to Grenoble, flying every Sunday from December and every Saturday from February. The airline is also offering passengers on the new route a 50 per cent discount on ski carriage, bringing the cost down to €28. THE DEAL: Close to the centre of the resort, Hotel Ibiza has commanding views across the Ecrins National Park peaks. The three-star hotel has a pool and spa and a huge terrace facing south with entertainment from DJS and live bands. Save up to €143 on a seven-night half-board stay for two arriving January 14 with Ski France, now starting at €815 including transfers, private shuttle service to the ski lifts 300m away, and use of the pool, hot tub and Turkish bath. Skifrance.co.uk. Jet2 flights from Birmingham to Grenoble start at €67pp (jet2.com) 3 LAKE LOUISE, CANADA Seven nights from €1,537pp If you’re seeking spectacular scenery, the magnificent sight of a frozen Lake Louise beneath the Victoria Glacier is a sure winner – and the skiing is pretty good too. And there’s more excellent skiing to be found at Sunshine Village and Norquay, both a 45-minute drive away. THE DEAL: Surrounded by the Banff National Park
and with wonderful lake views, threestar Lake Louise Inn is just 400m from the resort town, and just five minutes by shuttle to the slopes. Flexiski has 10 per cent off for bookings by November 30, making the price of a seven-night package from €1,537pp including January Heathrow flights, car hire and a six-day Ski Big 3 pass. flexiski.com 4 ARINSAL, ANDORRA Five nights from €333pp Affordable Andorra won’t break the bank. Tucked in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, this tiny country is great for tax-free shopping. Arinsal resort is part of the Vallnord ski area, where the apres-ski scene is good value. THE DEAL: Five nights on halfboard at the three-star Hotel Xalet Besoli starts at €333pp with Igluski. Includes a third off lift passes and flights on January 2 from East Midlands to Lleida-alguaire (other airports available). igluski.com
5 BANSKO, BULGARIA
Seven nights from
€404pp A stay at this resort at the foot of the Pirin Mountains will add a touch of culture. You’ll find the longest ski runs in the country, and the historic old town with its stone and timber houses is a World Heritage Site. THE DEAL: Seven nights’ half-board at the four-star Hotel Bansko starts at €404pp including flights from Gatwick on January 13, with Balkan Holidays. balkanholidays. co.uk, 0044 020 7543 5555 6 HINTERGLEMM, AUSTRIA Seven nights from €552pp Hit the slopes of Hinterglemm for some scenic skiing in Austria’s largest ski area. The pretty traditional village is right in the centre of the action in the Ski Circus – a collection of red and blue runs that are just the ticket for intermediate skiers. THE DEAL: Homely Hotel Reisinger is in the heart of Hinterglemm and the Reiterkogel Gondola is just 100m away. Seven nights’ half-board from €552pp (saving up to €316pp) with
Neilson including flights from Gatwick on January 13. neilson.co.uk/ski 7 JASNA, SLOVAKIA Seven nights from
€1,016pp Escape the crowds at this Slovakian resort in the Low Tatras – with 49km of pistes, substantial freeride zones plus two terrain snowparks. THE DEAL: Three-star Bjornson Hotel is in the centre of the resort – you can ski straight to the
lifts and slopes. Mountain Paradise has seven-night half-board packages from €1,016pp – flights from Luton to Poprad on Wizz Air (January to March) transfers, six-day lift pass and gear rental. mountainparadise.co. uk, 0044 0161 408 8988 8 VAIL, COLORADO Seven nights from €1,477pp A great range of runs in one of the biggest ski areas in the US means there’s one to suit your level. THE DEAL:
Evergreen Lodge is popular with skiers who value location over luxury – and the closest ski lift is just 500m away. Seven nights’ B&B with Crystal Ski Holidays starts at €1,477pp with flights on January 13 from Heathrow to Denver. Connecting flights are available from all major UK airports. crystalski.co.uk 9 ARABBA, ITALY Seven nights from €677pp Right in the heart of the famous Dolomiti Superski area,
the landscape is breathtaking – as are the steep slopes of this little Italian village. The challenging terrain offers exhilarating runs for the more advanced skier. But don’t expect lively après-ski action in this charming traditional village. THE DEAL: Family-run Hotel Olympia is a great base. Seven nights’ roomonly starts at €677pp including flights departing January 6 from Gatwick and transfers plus free access to the sauna and jacuzzi with Ski Solutions. skisolutions. com, 0044 020 7471 7749
10
POIANA BRASOV, ROMANIA Seven nights from
€607pp The country’s most popular ski resort is set 1,200m above sea level, and is excellent for novices – the standard of teaching is high – and low-intermediates. And
for a bite of history, Dracula’s Bran Castle and the Gothic Black Church in the city of Brasov are both a 30-minute
drive away. THE DEAL: Set in pine trees at the foot of Bradul ski slope, four-star Hotel Sport is 200m from the centre and just 50m from lifts. A seven-night half-board skiing/snowboarding break with Balkan Holidays starts at €607pp. Luton flights on January 15. balkanholidays. co.uk, 0044 020 7543 5555