Does your idea of a ski holiday involve bombing down the slopes at full speed, leisurely carving through the snow, or ploughing your way down the smallest of snowy slopes? Whatever your level of experience, ski holidays make for unforgettable family getaways, romantic escapes or exhilarating adventures with friends.
If downhill skiing doesn’t powder your piste, there’s always snowboarding, tobogganing, bobsledding, ice-skating, and cross country skiing to get your pulse racing. And if all this sounds rather energetic for a snow day, why not try out the lifestyle of a snow bunny? Most ski resorts support a thriving social scene and there are countless après-ski activities to enjoy off the slopes.
Spend your ski holidays drinking gluhwein in a hottub, shopping designer boutiques, or simply exploring the mountains and taking in the snowy views from the resort gondolas. You are likely to find some lively bars and excellent mountain-top restaurants offering alpine backdrops and a cosy atmosphere - perfect for cuddling up next to a warm fire with a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
The best time for ski holidays in Europe is from December to March when most of the mountain resorts are open and the snow conditions are at their best
Prices soar over Christmas and New Year, so avoid booking ski holidays during peak times if you want your rands to go a little further
Resorts that are higher in altitude tend to have more snow for longer periods
If you are an experienced skier you may want to consider a large linked resort as these tend to offer steep terrain and plenty of challenging runs
Ask your Pentravel agent which resorts offer great late-season skiing (March / April) - you often can get fantastic ski deals during this period.
Italy
Ski holidays in Italy offer family-friendly fun and uncrowded slopes.
France
France is at high altitude, which means great snow conditions and long seasons.
Switzerland
With powder-covered glaciers, alpine forests and near-vertical drops, Switzerland is a ski enthusiast’s dream come true.
And if you’re asking, “where can I ski in South Africa?” we’ve got the answer for you.
Tiffindell Ski Resort is a year-round alpine resort and the only ski resort in South Africa, while Afriski offers superb skiing just over the border in Lesotho.
Pack warm, waterproof clothing including a ski jacket, ski trousers, gloves and boots.
Along with your winter woolies, don’t forget to bring good quality sunscreen as the sun reflects off the snow and can cause a surprisingly nasty sunburn.
A few pairs of nice thick ski socks are essential for keeping your toes toasty warm and dry.
If you have a GoPro bring it along to capture those thrilling moments of whizzing down the slopes.
Choose a ski holiday that includes it all! Ski hire, ski lessons, ski pass, accommodation, meals and entertainment! That will help go along way when budgeting.
