While it’s almost winter and the temperatures are dropping, that doesn’t mean that we have to wait until next year to enjoy a holiday. The best part of winter is planning a skiing trip – but where do you start?
With so many places to choose from worldwide, it can be difficult to find the perfect spot for a skiing break. That’s why we’ve done the hard work and tracked down the best ski holiday destinations in the world.
France
More than a fifth of the Alps are in France, meaning there are plenty of skiing destinations there. Tignes, Val d’Isère and Les Deux Alpes are among the most popular resorts in France, both for skiing and partying.
When to go?
The skiing season in France peaks around February. The atmosphere is much better during these times but, as you’d expect, it’s a lot busier. If you’d prefer a quieter visit, hold fire until March, when it tends to be sunnier as well.
Switzerland
Just like its neighbour France, Switzerland is ideally located on the Alps to offer some of the most picturesque skiing destinations in the world, including St Moritz, Zermatt and Grindelwald.
When to go?
Again, it’s a similar story to France. The resorts tend to open around now and they host skiers until the spring, although the busiest periods will be around February.
USA
If you fancy skiing further afield than Europe, head across the pond to some of America’s top destinations. There are plenty of stunning, snow-filled choices, including in Colorado, New Hampshire and Montana.
When to go?
Many of the American resorts follow a similar pattern to their European counterparts. Late winter tends to be the most popular time to go – heading over there earlier in January may give you more space on the slopes, but it’ll be a lot colder.
Japan
While Japan is a hugely popular holiday destination, many people may not be familiar with its thriving skiing culture. Niseko is known as the ‘powder capital of Japan’ due to its excellent snow, while places like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are great for skiers of all abilities.
When to go?
If you’re on a budget, avoid going around Christmas and the new year! These are expensive periods at the best of times but they also happen to be peak skiing season in Japan – the season lasts until April, so you can easily leave your trip until the spring.
Austria
As you can imagine, there’s an abundance of skiing resorts to choose from in Austria. The likes of Ischgl, Kitzbühel and Saalbach-Hinterglemm each have more than 200 km of slopes and a thriving après scene.
When to go?
Just like its neighbours on the Alps, Austria experiences its peak season in February. To avoid the crowd and enjoy the most reliable snow conditions, visit in mid-March.
Canada
Considering how much snowfall Canada gets each winter, it’s no surprise that there’s a lively skiing scene up there. Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains has over 300 runs, while Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.
When to go?
The season peaks in January and February but for the best snow at Whistler, wait until March. It’s nicknamed ‘powder month’ by the locals due to its abundance of snow.
Sweden
For an authentic skiing experience, why not travel further north in Europe to Sweden? The tree-lined slopes and freezing temperatures offer some of the most beautiful skiing backdrops around.
When to go?
As Sweden is a lot colder than many of the places listed, you can enjoy good skiing from early November. February and March tend to be the snowiest periods, with much longer days.
Hit the slopes with Engage’s ROAM packages!
As well as unrivalled sports and music hospitality packages, Engage now offers tailored travel experiences with ROAM, where we combine our knowledge, passion and expertise to offer some of the best experiences the world has to offer.
Two of our current packages are ideal for skiing enthusiasts – here’s everything you need to know.
Undiscovered Alps with Marcus Wareing
Join us for a luxury weekend in the Swiss Alps, where as well as enjoying some of the most iconic slopes in Switzerland, you’ll also be treated to incredible food from renowned chef Marcus Wareing.
Fancy heading for a two-night stay in Andermatt in January? You can enjoy all this:
● Two nights at The Chedi from 10th – 12th January
● Two-day lift pass
● Private transfer from Zurich
● Welcome drinks
● Dinner at ‘The Restaurant’ with Marcus Wareing followed by a Q&A
● Lunch with Marcus Wareing at Guetsch by Markus Neff
Crans-Montana Ski Challenge
For the more adventurous skiers among you, why not try your hand at the Crans-Montana Ski Challenge?
The premier networking event of the winter sporting calendar is returning to Switzlerland, giving you the chance to experience all this:
● Three nights at Hotel Art de Vivre from 13th – 16th March
● Two-day ski pass
● Entry fee and race registration
● Welcome dinner
● Lunch at Chetzeron Restaurant
● Welcome drinks and quiz night
● Après ski parties at Zerodix and Cry d’Er
● Awards dinner