How to book the perfect ski package holiday

Couple on the balcony with views of the Alps

Tips on booking a ski package holiday

Whether it is your first time in the mountains or your 50th trip to high altitude, a ski holiday needs careful thought. What might be right for some may not be right for you. There are options available to suit singles, couples and families including different types of accommodation and resort. The secret is, of course, planning and we outline what you should be thinking about when looking for the perfect ski package holiday .

1 -

Tips on booking ski holiday packages

Things to consider before booking

Before we decide on the all important question of where to go, we need to work out what we actually want from our ski holiday . Start with how many people are going. Is it a group ski holiday or just one or two of you? If you have kids in tow make sure there will be entertainment for them away from the slopes and that there are restaurants that will suit their sometimes picky tastes. At Club Med we have Kids Clubs to keep children happy and making friends while the adults are enjoying the ski-ing. Plus we always make sure the cuisine is suitable for all and there is plenty to do in the evening. Those who are going solo or as a couple may want to think about a ski holiday destination aimed more at adults where the gluhwein flows freely in the evening and there is somewhere to dance until the early hours. Will you choose hotel accommodation or does a chalet make more sense to give you all the room you want and extra independence? Club Med has suitable accommodation for all: Premium resort accommodation and magical chalets all of which include every all-inclusive holiday perk.

Take into account the skills level

Another thing to think about is skill levels. Certain destinations offer more appropriate slopes for the beginner than others. If you are a novice then it is no good turning up to a resort where every run is aimed at the advanced skier and you spend your time circling around the practice slope. If there are newbies in your group make sure there are plenty of blue runs where they can try out their new found skills and enjoy the real sense of the freedom that skiing can bring. A little research will tell you what is available. Also, it might not just be about ski-ing. Does a member of your family prefer snowboarding and, if so, will there be suitable terrain or a park available for them to enjoy?

Deciding the ski resort

Families may not have an option of when to choose their family skiing holiday with half terms being the only time slot available. It may be more expensive but you will enjoy the buzzy, busy atmosphere of a ski resort at peak season. Those without kids may want to avoid the more costly time of year when the queues are longer. We recommend April/May as an excellent time when the ski-ing is still good and the weather can be pleasant as well. Whenever you choose, remember that it is almost always cheaper to book early.

Transport

How are you going to get there? Train, plane or automobile and how much will it cost? By their very nature, ski resorts are quite remote and you may have to spend some time planning your travel itinerary including overnight sleeping and pick ups from train stations. And if you are doing all that then the cost can soon add up. Alternatively, get someone else to do it for you. As part of our all-inclusive ski package , Club Med makes all the arrangements including flights and transfers to your resort at a reasonable price. You just sit back, relax and look forward to the sport.

Other budget considerations

The cost of your ski package holiday is more than just the room where you will sleep and unwind. You will also need to hire equipment, pay for ski passes and maybe lessons for the novices. And, of course, you need to eat and drink and enjoy your holiday. There is also the issue of equipment. Will you buy it at home and lug it all the way to resort or rent when you get there? All these things can prove to be expensive, especially for larger groups. How to save money? All-inclusive packages have everything covered in one price. You not only reduce your spend but the time and hassle it takes to organise passes, find the right ski schools or book the restaurants you want. We also have high quality equipment that can be easily rented to save you on the heavy luggage.

2 -

Deciding where to go

Experience the Alps with Club Med

Having considered some of the factors involved in planning the perfect ski package holiday it is time for the really fun part: choosing your resort. In Europe there are many to pick from with the Alps and the Pyrenees providing plenty of places where the skiing and surrounding area are a sheer delight. At Club Med we principally focus on French Alps , Italian Alps and Swiss Alps , each of which offers something unique that could make your ski holiday truly memorable.