An Insider’s Guide To Skiing This Year
PEXELS/CHRISTIANBUERGI
If you’re booking your first ski trip, my advice is to avoid the big, glamorous resorts. They’re often favoured by people wanting to impress, but as a beginner, you won’t be able to make the most of the ski area, and you’ll end up spending a lot of money on accommodation and food. Instead, I’d suggest smaller, quieter resorts where the slopes are less crowded, and you can focus on learning.
A great resort for beginners is Obergurgl, Austria. It’s high up, so snow conditions are reliable throughout the season, and they’ve designed the resort with beginners in mind. There are two beginner slopes tucked away from the main ski area, perfect for learning without feeling overwhelmed. As you improve, you can easily progress up the mountain – and if you’re not ready for the home run, you can always take the gondola back down into the village. It also offers morning and afternoon tuition sessions, meaning your progress will be much quicker than in other resorts.
One of my favourite ski resorts is Ischgl in Austria. It has one of the largest ski terrains in the country, an incredible lift system, and some of the best après-ski in the world. From party vibes to impressive mountain restaurants, it has everything. Whistler in Canada is also a standout, mainly because of the incredible off-piste skiing and the atmosphere in the village – it’s relaxed but still lively with great dining and bars. My third choice is Corvara in Italy. It's tucked away in the Dolomites and is often overlooked, but it offers stunning scenery, brilliant intermediate skiing, and a peaceful village atmosphere. The best part? The incredible Italian food.
To escape the crowds, I love Grimentz-Zinal in Switzerland – two linked, chocolate-box villages that are virtually unheard of in the UK. The skiing there is superb. Another resort I recommend is Warth in Austria, a little-known gem that connects to the glamorous resort of Lech. You get the incredible skiing and atmosphere of the Arlberg area without the hefty price tag.
For advanced skiers, there are so many brilliant choices. Val d’Isère, Zermatt, St Anton, Aspen, Whistler, Verbier and Alagna really stand out. And one of my favourite trips in recent years was to Sun Peaks in Canada. We hired a guide to show us the best off-piste routes and spent the day skiing powder-filled meadows, open glades and steep chutes. One particularly challenging run was a double black diamond called ‘Offset,’ which absolutely burnt the legs by the time we were done – it was exhilarating.
For off-piste skiing, it’s hard to beat St Anton in Austria. It’s renowned for its off-piste terrain, with plenty of opportunities for both advanced and intermediate skiers to explore beyond the groomed slopes. There are also several itinerary runs throughout the Arlberg ski domain, offering thrilling descents for experienced skiers.
La Rosière in France is fantastic for a family-friendly trip that won’t break the bank. It’s set at 1,850m, so the snow is reliable all season, and the atmosphere is laid-back, making it ideal for families. From chalets to self-catered apartments, there’s accommodation to suit all budgets. A family lift pass here is much more affordable than in neighbouring resorts, and the kids will love popping over to Italy for pizza on the La Thuile side of the mountain. There’s also sledging, ice skating, paragliding and even ice hockey to keep everyone entertained off the slopes.
Zermatt in Switzerland is unbeatable for luxury. It’s a car-free village, so there’s a real sense of calm, and the views of the Matterhorn are incredible. The accommodation is superb, with places like the Backstage Chalet – which has its own rooftop pool that hydraulically lifts above the roof to give you panoramic views across the village. Another great option is the five-star Riffelalp Resort, which is ski-in, ski-out and has a top-notch spa with an outdoor pool overlooking the iconic Matterhorn.
Hotel Col Alto in Corvara, Italy, is one of my favourite ski hotels. You can ski right back to the door. The owners, Luci and Stefano Pezei, are always around, ensuring everything runs smoothly. The hotel has a minibus service every five minutes to take you to the lifts, and they have one of the best spas in the area with a huge pool, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms. It’s a proper retreat after a long day on the slopes.
For après-ski, nowhere beats Ischgl in Austria. The bars and clubs are buzzing until the early hours, with places like Trofana Alm, Kuhstall and Schatzi Bar offering a lively atmosphere. There’s also Pacha Nightclub for those who want to party until dawn. It’s the best après-ski scene in the world, hands down.
For foodies, the Alta Badia-Sella Ronda region in the Dolomites is a must-visit. The area has the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in any ski region. I recommend skiing to places like Corvara, Colfosco, La Villa and San Cassiano to sample local delicacies.
March is my favourite time to hit the slopes. The days are warmer, the snow is usually at its deepest, and it’s generally less crowded on the slopes. I tend to head to Val d’Isère, Lech or Ischgl, depending on who I’m skiing with. A family trip is very different from one with the lads, so it all depends on the vibe I’m after. In general, to avoid crowded slopes, plan a trip in early December, January or mid-March. You’ll not only enjoy quieter skiing but also benefit from lower prices for both accommodation and lift passes.
Short transfers are key when it comes to a quick ski break. As an Austria lover, I like heading to Kitzbühel, Mayrhofen, St Anton, Ischgl and Zell am See for a few days on the slopes. In France, my picks are Megève, Les Gets, Morzine, Avoriaz and Flaine. Because, do you really want to spend three hours on a transfer to Val d'Isère when you could be skiing straight away?
You’re never too good for lessons. No matter your skill level, there’s always something new to learn. I always recommend Ski New Generation for its fantastic group sessions. For private lessons, check out Maison Sport – you can browse profiles of individual instructors to find the best fit for you.
There are some great ski brands out there, but Blizzard Sports is a must on a ski trip. It makes fantastic skis – the Bonafides are my favourite. For boots, I swear by Head. For clothing and equipment, Scott is my go-to. I love everything it does – it’s a brand that delivers quality across the board.
Snow levels aren’t what they used to be 20 years ago, so it’s important to know where to go and when. Resorts with higher altitudes and good north-facing slopes tend to have more reliable snow. Lower resorts in Austria, like Obertauern, can get more snow than their French counterparts at the same elevation. Always check with a specialist ski travel agency to make sure you’re booking a resort with the best conditions for your dates.
Ski insurance is a must. It’s one of those things we don’t get heavily involved in at Snowfinders – it's a bit of a dark art. That said, it’s crucial to have adequate cover, especially if you plan to ski off-piste. I’d recommend looking into Carré Neige, which is an excellent addition for peace of mind during your trip.
My tip for saving money on a ski holiday is to be flexible. You don’t have to lock yourself into a specific resort, accommodation, or even a particular departure airport. Changing your airport can save hundreds of pounds – I’ve seen flights from Birmingham be £400 cheaper than from Gatwick for the same holiday.
For more information & to book your next ski trip, visit SnowFinders.co.uk
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