As skiing continues to be a popular winter holiday choice for Brits, the ski slopes in some of Europe’s better-known resorts can often become overcrowded. Expensive prices can sometimes deter skiers from visiting the big name resorts and, with Brexit looming, value for money is becoming increasingly important to holidaymakers.
Ahead of the start of the coming ski season, specialist tour operator Inghams is recommending alternative resorts to escape to for unbeatable skiing and quieter pistes at a more affordable price tag:
Arinsal in Andorra’s Vallnord Ski Area (for Excellent Value)
Arinsal offers excellent value for money and is an ideal resort for families. Inghams offers a pre-bookable Ski Inclusive package, which includes a six-day lift pass, six-day ski and boot hire and lunch vouchers covering the cost of a sandwich, chips and drink in selected mountain restaurants, from £209 per adult and £104 per child (aged 6 – 15 years). The terrain welcomes beginner and early intermediate-level skiers, and the local ski school has an excellent reputation. For a true hidden gem, venture over to the Arcalis sector (via free shuttle bus) which is often quiet and normally has excellent snow conditions.
Bad Kleinkirchheim in Austria (for Quick Airport Transfers)
Inghams’ new flight route from London Gatwick to Klagenfurt means that getting to Bad Kleinkirchheim (Inghams’ only resort in the region of Carinthia) is now quick and easy. This winter, guests will be able to reach the resort within an hour from leaving the airport, arriving with plenty of time to pick up their equipment hire, ensuring a hassle-free start to Day One on the slopes. The picturesque ski and spa resort is also home to Olympic Downhill champion and skiing legend, Franz Klammer, who has a local run named after him and who still hosts ski days on selected dates. The ski area offers ideal terrain for intermediates, with many long red runs down to resort level. Non-ski activities include winter walking, ice-skating, tobogganing and snowshoeing, and the four-star Hotel Trattlerhof offers a free torchlit walk for all Inghams guests with horses, mulled wine and hot drinks included.
Kronplatz in Italy’s Dolomiti Superski Area (for World-Class Skiing)
The compact resort of Kronplatz is situated in a less-discovered part of one of the world’s biggest and most beautiful ski areas, the extraordinary Dolomites (1,220km). The local ski area is a short bus ride away from the more famous Sella Ronda ski circuit, meaning the pistes here are rarely over-crowded. The resort has a modern and efficient lift system, as well as an excellent ski school, meaning skiers and snowboarders of all abilities can really make the most of their time on the long blue and red runs. Seven hairy black runs also provide thrills for the more advanced skier. There are plenty of non-ski activities available too, such as tobogganing, snowshoeing, bowling, night skiing and sleigh rides.
Arosa in Switzerland’s Graubunden Ski Region (for a Touch of Luxury)
Arosa is a chocolate-box village, surrounded by towering, snowy peaks, and is an ideal choice for those in search of a quintessentially Swiss holiday. The resort atmosphere is unique and unforgettable: although relatively unknown amongst the international ski market, it is a favourite of Swiss skiers and is much loved by the guests who visit. Sitting up high at 1,800m, Arosa boasts an excellent snow and sunshine record and its 225km of pistes attract intermediate skiers looking for plentiful red runs. Inghams guests can also arrive in style, via the impressively efficient Swiss rail system from Zurich.
Les Menuires in France’s Three Valleys Ski Area (for Great Family Savings)
Les Menuires, Inghams’ newest French ski resort, is a hidden gem within one of Europe’s biggest and best ski areas. At 1,815m, the fantastically-connected resort attracts skiers of all abilities as it provides some of the best access to the Three Valleys (particularly the more challenging runs down from La Masse) at a more affordable price tag. Les Menuires is a perfect resort for families, with almost all of Inghams’ resort accommodation being ski-in / ski-out, allowing for stress-free access to the slopes. A wide choice of hotels is on offer, from self-catering apartments to four-star luxury, but one of the best-value options is the ski-inclusive Village Club du Soleil. Children’s clubs and a great entertainment programme is included, alongside a FREE lift pass per person and FREE equipment hire.
For more information visit www.inghams.co.uk/ski-holidays
