The end of the summer school holidays is soon upon us, and you may already be thinking about Christmas and beyond. If you are planning a ski holiday, the best time to book this is now, for two main reasons:
Availability: If you are skiing in Europe, you will be relying on low-cost airlines and these seats sell out fast. If you are a large family or group of family or friends, all the more reason to secure those airlines seats now. Of course, I am bound to remind you that booking a package holiday is the safest bet, as airlines tend to cancel or change their flight schedules and you don’t want to be left with a very expensive hotel or chalet booking and no way of getting there!
Cost: I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that the best prices are to be had by booking in advance. Fares go up these days, not down and those last-minute bargains are probably a thing of the past.
For luxury bookings, the obvious European ski resorts are Val d’Isere, Courchevel, Verbier, Val Thorens, Megeve, but there are other little gems that are lesser known, so please ask me. These days, luxury hotels you will have heard of, such as Six Senses, W, Four Seasons, the Chedi and Relais & Chateaux have all moved into the ski resorts but there are also new names, such as the K2 Chogori just outside Val D’Isere and Shemshak Lodge, Courchevel. Wonderful spas and Michelin-star restaurants are all on offer these days. Even non-skiers will have a fantastic experience at any of these hotels.
In addition, there are the traditional luxury hotels which have been catering for discerning skiers for decades. Some you will have heard of or stayed in, but some may be waiting for you to discover. Ski apartments have also come a long way, and these are often a good choice for families. Many now have swimming pools, some indoor and outdoor and some apartments have private Jacuzzis, games rooms and cinema rooms. Then there are the catered chalets, may with baby and childcare facilities.
Further afield and if you have the time, the USA and Canada offer wide, open pistes and a high standard of accommodation. You’ve probably heard of Aspen and Utah, but again, there are lesser-known resorts and experiences, from staying in a cowboy town to the chocolate box inns of New England. I particularly like Stowe, Vermont. Magical at night with all the twinkling fairy lights. Facilities for the children are excellent in North America and ski schools tend to be really fun.
I’d like to give a special mention to the new Hotel Montafon in Austria which is quite unlike anything I have come across and really exceptional! It has incredible facilities for the kids, including a bouncy castle and slide to the lower level as you enter the lobby! In addition, this is a super eco-hotel, so I particularly like that! Here are some hotel facts:
-It’s the only 5* Leading Hotel of the World family hotel in German-speaking countries
-Children are already included in the room rate
-It is a climate-neutral hotel running sustainably in line with net zero
-There is a half-board plus option with innovative “Via Alpina” cuisine
-It features exciting architecture by star architects Snohetta Studio Innsbruck and Vudafieri Saverino Partners Milan
-It’s located 1,000m above sea level on the Erlebnisberg Golm
-Family rooms are designed with plenty of space from 43 sq.m upwards
-The hotel includes age-appropriate play areas including a Science Lab & Camp Room
-The hotel features a family Ecotainment concept based on “Ranger Programmes”
-Acquapura Organic SPA with separate Adults-Only SPA
Get in touch today to book your stay at this phenomenal hotel.
Prices start from £5,585 for a family of 4 including;
-Breakfast, Dinner & “Jause” (late lunch)
-EasyJet to Innsbruck flights including bags and seats
-Private return transfers
-And of course 7 nights of luxurious accommodation from the 13-20th of December 2023.
Feeling inspired? Book your next escape now. Get in touch with Lizzi by emailing [email protected] to book your dream trip!
by net effect