5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Skiing Destination

You may want to just hop on a short flight and ski the familiar, or you might decide to experience something completely different in the Himalayan mountains or other Asian ski destinations. You may want to just hop on a short flight and ski the familiar, or you might decide to experience something completely different by skiing near Turin, or in the Himalayan mountains or other Asian ski destinations.

Think about what you'd like to get out of your skiing holiday. How much of the day you spend skiing versus using the other facilities on offer? And of course, it depends who you’ll be traveling with: your family, friends, or significant other.

There are many things to consider, so use our top five tips as a guide for choosing the perfect skiing destination.

1. Beginner or expert?

Many resorts offer slopes for all levels of experience but there are some that are specific. If you’re an adrenaline junky, you’ll be a little disappointed if you arrive at the resort to find it overrun with beginners. If you specifically want expert or beginner slopes, do some research beforehand.

Somewhere like Yabuli Ski Resort in China is best for intermediate to advanced as the slopes go up to 3000 metres and there’s a vertical drop of 805 metres – you only want to be skiing along here if you know what you’re doing! This resort also is the training base for the Chinese national ski teams, so those who are more advanced can enjoy the superb conditions that they also use. However, if you’re a beginner or you have small children in your group, of course you want to find a resort that’s a little friendlier.

Telluride in Colorado is fantastic for those looking for gentle or expert slopes. Telluride offers beautiful scenery and the ski school instructors can help less confident skiers.

2. Family friendly or party scene?

If you’re traveling with your small children, you’ll be searching for somewhere that’s car-free and that has activities to keep them entertained outside of the skiing. Similarly, if you’ve gone on holiday with a bunch of friends to celebrate someone’s birthday, the night life will be as important as the ski conditions.

Panorama in Canada is perfect is a small resort that has a ski school for children and a nanny on the slopes. This lets parents go skiing by themselves or explore the local area without worrying about entertaining the children. The ski school is also a kids camp, so they’ll make loads of friends as well as learn a new skill.

Val d’Isère in France is well-known for its night life, with high-altitude clubbing and day-time DJs. It’s a lively resort with a great atmosphere. Skiers return year after year for the brilliant skiing opportunities as well as the entertainment. Head to the famous Dick’s Tea Bar for drinks and nibbles, which attracts large crowds and provides a fantastic night out.



3. Picturesque Alpine or mountainous landscapes?

Traditional Alpine ski resorts in Europe are often what come to mind when you think of a skiing holiday. But do you dare to try something a little different and head out East? You can find more budget-friendly resorts in Japan, China or India and have a completely different experience.

If you go to the Himalayan mountains in northern India, you’ll find superb slopes alongside breath-taking views. Immerse yourself in the local culture to add to this unique holiday. The main ski resort town of Gulmarg is incredibly cheap.

Alternatively, St Martin-de-Belleville, located in the Trois Vallées ski area is very picturesque with a 17^th Century church and old farmhouses lining the sleepy French village. The skiing here is along the 1400m resort, so it’s one of the best options for both skiing and appreciating the surrounding area.



4. Budget or Blowout?

Usually, European and North American ski resorts are the most pricey, whereas if you head to Eastern Europe or Asia, you’ll get a better deal. You can go luxury with a large resort and spend your days in the spas and restaurants as well as on the slopes, or you can stick to the skiing and choose more basic accommodation.

If you’re looking for the whole package, consider Switzerland. Gstaad Palace Hotel in Gstaad is a luxurious hotel with a spa and other leisure activities, such as gym, pilates studio, and steam and sauna room. The accompanying ski resort is just as deluxe with some of the best restaurants around.

For the more budget-conscious, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic are great options. You can pay under £300 for a week of skiing, including the accommodation, equipment and lift pass. "Spindler’s Mill," is a brilliant option for all levels to ski all year round, with slopes up to 1600m. It also hosts the Europa Cup in Freestyle Skiing.



5. Large or Small?

Large resorts tend to have everything you need from a skiing holiday in one place. This includes cafes, bars and restaurants, and leisure and entertainment facilities alongside the skiing itself. But perhaps you’d prefer a more intimate place, where the resort isn’t as large, but still offers the skiing opportunities you’d like.

Méribel in France is somewhere that attracts a large amount of people – thousands from international destinations flock here to try the 1400m-1700m of resort and 1260m-3230m of slopes as well as sample the on-mountain après experience at the many bars. It’s a good location for those who enjoy the nightlife as well as the skiing.

Dienten in Austria is a small, traditional farming village. It has had investment in recent years, so the facilities are good, but you don’t have to endure the queuing that you might in other European resorts. The accommodation tends to be traditional mountain huts, so you can enjoy a peaceful holiday with everything that you need to ski.