Planning the perfect ski trip? Then careful consideration needs to go into when and where you book your ski holiday.
The facilities you want at your resort, the occasion for your ski holiday, your skiing ability and the type of ski holiday you’re about to embark on will impact when and where you decide to book your ski holiday.
There is much to consider when planning any luxurious holiday - transfers, accommodation, flights, facilities.
When booking a ski holiday, you also need to consider the snowfall, sun exposure, resort elevation, and resort size if you plan to participate in winter sports activities.
This guide covers everything you need to know to plan the ultimate ski holiday.
When is the best time to book a ski holiday?
The best time to book a ski holiday is at least 8 months in advance, especially if you want to go during the ski season.
The ski season in Europe runs from December to April.
However, ski season will vary depending on the location of your ski holiday.
Our guide to the ski season explains exactly when ski season begins and the peak and off-peak times for resorts in Europe, North America, and Japan.
Choosing a date for your ski holiday is one of the most important parts of booking a ski holiday.
Peak ski season, off-peak season, or shoulder weeks will massively impact the busyness of the resorts and the price of your holiday.
Booking a ski holiday during peak season, such as during the school holidays or festive periods, will often result in higher prices and busier slopes.
If you want expert advice on booking your ski holiday, our team has the knowledge and expertise to consider your requirements and ensure they are met carefully. Contact our team today.
How to make the most of your budget
Booking your ski holiday as early as possible will allow you to allocate your budget wisely, as you will have more time to consider your choice of accommodation, flights, and dates.
We always recommend booking your ski holiday at least 8 months in advance to ensure that your luxury ski holiday requirements are met.
Going as a big group or family is often the best way to make the most of your budget as you can split the cost of your accommodation.
When booking in advance, you can also take time off work to visit the resorts off-peak.
Can you book a ski holiday for the summer?
Ski holidays are popular between December and April, but don’t think that skiing is just for winter! Some of the best times to ski are in the early springtime as you get longer, sunnier days, and great conditions. Summer skiing is also available in some resorts situated above glaciers.
Booking a summer ski escape will allow you to experience the stunning scenery in a new light.
The Alps in the summertime are breathtaking, and there are still plenty of non-ski activities to enjoy, such as hiking, cycling, and enjoying the local culture and pretty villages.
The best place to book a ski holiday
Once you’ve decided when to book your ski holiday, you'll need to decide where to book it.
We have compiled guides on the best places to go skiing for each month:
Considerations that can influence your choice of destination include how busy you want the resort to be, what you want the snow conditions to be like, how far you wish to travel, and the size of your group.
Depending on whether your ski holiday is a work retreat, romantic getaway, or family holiday, you should look at accommodation with the best spa facilities, hot tubs, mountain views, nightlife and entertainment, or childcare.
We have separated our luxury ski chalets and hotels into facilities, occasions, and holiday types to help you find your perfect luxury ski accommodation.
How to book a ski holiday for beginners
If you’re a beginner skier, you might want to book a resort with nursery slopes, many green runs, the best ski schools, or a lower mountain peak level to get you comfortable on the slopes.
Our guides on the best luxury ski resorts for beginners and the best beginner ski resorts in France can offer insight and inspiration into some of the most popular ski resorts for beginners.
Interested in skiing alternatives? You should also look into the resort's non-ski activities. These include panoramic helicopter flights, paragliding, ice-skating, bobsledding, ziplining, sleigh rides, and dog sledding.
How to book a ski holiday for families
When booking a ski holiday for the family, you will often have to plan it around your child's school holidays.
The school holidays are often the busiest times for most resorts because the European skiers will have similar school holiday weeks.
If you want to avoid the crowds during the school holidays, our team can recommend the best quiet ski resorts.
We also have a list of family-friendly chalets and hotels where you can access children's clubs or private childcare options like nannies and babysitters. It's always best to speak to us about childcare requirements early as you will need to book it in advance, especially for peak weeks.
How to book a ski holiday for large groups
One of the most challenging aspects of booking any holiday for a large group is getting the timing right so everyone can attend.
Booking as far in advance as possible is the best way to ensure everyone can attend.
You need to consider your group's skiing ability. More advanced skiers will appreciate resorts with challenging runs, such as St Anton in Austria, and young or beginner skiers will appreciate the choice of green runs in resorts such as Morzine, France.
We have many large chalets and hotels for groups, with stunning social spaces and amenities designed for entertaining and relaxing with friends and family.
Black Diamond in Tignes, France, is a collection of chalets that together sleeps 62 + 20 people, so no matter the size of your group, we can find a luxurious space for everyone.
Ready to book your ski holiday?
The team at Oxford Ski Company are specialists in luxury ski travel.
We have delivered the best alpine experiences in the finest properties for over 25 years.
Our team will consider every detail of your accommodation, travel, activity, and childcare requirements to plan your perfect mountain escape.
Speak to a team member today on 01865 817 420 to learn more.
