4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Book Ski Transfers Ahead Of Time

1. Ski season is short
2. You could book ahead for a big group and get a coach
3. You can book your transfer days in advance
4. It saves you time and stress

The ski season is your annual time to take in the slopes, enjoy the snow and then get down to some serious après. Before getting to that point though, there’s a little bit of holiday admin to do – namely, booking your holiday, and booking your ski transfers. There’s nothing worse than worrying about how you’re going to get from your chosen airport to your little hideaway in the Alps, or lugging equipment off trains and up hills and trying to catch a taxi.

>> Get the best deals, book your ski transfers today – get a free quote.

Ski season is short

While the entire ski season runs between early December and the end of March each year, the snow still falls relatively slowly and in fact we often get snow showers for only the first few weeks of the season. This means that skiers can get in their Christmas skiing without risking their season being ruined by a lack of snow, and it also means that if you have the luxury of booking your transfers early, you can relax knowing that you don’t need to worry about times, dates and timetables and the sheer stress that comes with using public transport. There’s also the advantage of not having to lug your gear in between stations and stops, so you can still be sure of being on the slopes come December.

If you’re going off-piste, you can’t really control your snow conditions, so booking miles ahead could be pointless – you might be quite certain that the snow will be fairly untouched and ready for your arrival. If you’re a backcountry skier, you’ll want to book your transfers also a few weeks in advance so you have as little to worry about as possible, and be confident that you can bring your tent or chosen wild camping gear with you.

Transport to and from the resort is also vital. Travelling between resorts can be tiring and difficult – and if you’re not used to the areas you’re going to, it can be easy to get lost. Lots of skiers prefer to travel from the middle of January to the end of March to catch both the atmosphere they desire and the best snow. Although, saying that, there are a few skiers who like to sneak out at the end of November before it gets really busy. Plus, if you’re heading to a snowsure resort, or you chase the snow and head over for glacier skiing in the summer – well, you pretty much have nothing to worry about.

Book ahead and get a coach – and when to book ski transfers generally

If you’re booking a very large group together for your ski trip, a coach transfer might actually be the best value idea. Coach transfers from Geneva Airport tend to be popular for both their premium experience and their value in what is essentially a bulk travel/transfer order. With a few big families clubbing together, you might find the per-person price is cheaper – that’s why it’s always sensible to get a few ski resort airport transfer quotes before you confirm your booking, so you can work out the best price for your skiing holiday.

Think of organising your skiing trip as a half-marathon, not a sprint at the last gate! Although it’s great to get out and explore and enjoy the mountain culture, it’s more practical to book everything in advance, try and get a few extra days either side of your planned season and arrive at your lodge to unpack, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery for the next few days. (Although, we get it – for some skiers, it really is about hitting the peaks as soon as physically possible!) For holidays with lift passes, it’s good to book your transfers a few weeks in advance at least to ensure you’re getting the best possible availability. Most people prefer to book things over a few days close together in creating their ‘DIY’ ski trip or their own package put together from lots of different places –  that way, you can take advantage of the best deal you can while doing your own research.

>> Get the best deals, book your ski transfers today – get a free quote.

You can book your transfers days in advance to save time

For all resorts in Europe, the USA and Canada –  you can book them online with us. There are different options: shared, shared plus (less waiting for other folks), private, coach and executive. And you can even book them in a few days in advance. Ski-Lifts has year-round coverage any availability for transfers across all of your favourite resorts, so even if you’re booking transfers at the very last minute, our team have the best and most experienced driver networks to tap into, to get your Ski-Lifts ski transfers.

It saves you time and stress

There are a few instances in which your ski transfers could be arranged by your accommodation or hotel, but it will usually on the their terms and conditions rather than your own when it comes to timing and picking the right car. While resort-to-airport transfers might be down to the individual resort, they might not be able to give you a specialised, experienced service like Ski-Lifts (and our partner accommodation) who know the roads best – and it’s best not to just leave it to a random taxi. Another issue at leaving it to your accommodation to arrange, is availability – you don’t want to be waiting hours for the next available transport, you need to get your airport or train station in plenty of time.

Speaking of reducing stress, transporting ski gear can get very stressful. It can feel heavy over time, it’s awkward to carry, and the last thing you want is to be fetching your luggage by yourself with a map on your phone in one hand, and everything else in the other!  So a smooth, stress-free friendly airport transfer – whether that’s over an hour or for an epic four-hour ski transfer to your chalet, having the last leg of your journey covered really does have its wellbeing benefits. Better yet, it allows you to focus on the après which the season demands that we do, rather than stress-skiing for that first morning after your arrival day!

>> Get the best deals, book your ski transfers today – get a free quote.

5 Best Ways To Prevent Travel Sickness During Your Transfer

1. Stay hydrated
2. Take ginger supplements
3. Try Dramamine or similar medication
4. Eat something before you go
5. Change your diet

Travel sickness can really get the better of us if we’re prone to it. For some folks, the mode of transport doesn’t matter, it’s nausea-town. For others, it genuinely only happens when we’re not in the driving seat. And lo and behold, although rare, it can even happen to drivers. So to help with what might be your 3 hours of hell to 13 days of heaven in the snow, we’ve spoken to seasoned skiers and drivers about their advice. We would recommend that you always seek proper medical advice that isn’t from a blog, of course, and this content is presented only as information for your own further research.

Travel sickness sorted, and ready to ski?

Book your airport transfers now.

Staying hydrated

Dehydration is a very real cause of travel sickness, so be sure to make sure you’re getting plenty of water before you get on the plane. Having a water bottle with you will make sure you don’t miss a beat. Drink as much as you can, starting as soon as you feel unwell. Staying hydrated in small and frequent bursts is important, as some folks may find that they also have stomach problems from travel-based anxiety or even undiagnosed claustrophobia, so it can be difficult to get fluids back up into your system quickly if you’re feeling this way. And instead of swigging fizzy drinks, try water or even fruit tea.

Taking ginger

This is something you might know about if you suffer from travel sickness. Ginger is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle for many of us – so naturally it’s an ingredient we should be packing in to our rucksacks. Ginger, in moderation, is known to aid digestion, so those who are prone to getting gassy should take care to take some time to cut out the offending foods before a trip. One of the easiest ways to do this is by taking digestive enzymes with you on your travels. We hear from unconfirmed rumours that the Ironman team keeps ginger in their first aid kit to aid nausea in the most natural way which doesn’t get in the way or alter performance. Another excellent way to treat the nauseous feeling is by taking ginger supplements. They’re supposed to be packed with anti-spasmodic properties and could help ease the pain and nausea. These won’t cure it entirely, but they’ll certainly help and boost your immune system to prevent any sickness or vomiting after a long transfer on the way to the slopes.

Travel sickness sorted, and ready to ski?

Book your airport transfers now.

Taking Dramamine

It is a travel sickness pill recommended by lots of travel sick travellers and tourists – although, please always get medical advice! Some people believe that Dramamine is a “miracle” for those unfortunate enough to suffer from motion sickness, and prevent travel sickness with it. So no more queasy day trips or flights, or 4 hour long road trips punctuated by nausea – if you’re affected by it, then you’ll know all too well what a game-changer it is. If you are the type to choose to take this stuff, you don’t have to take it every time you travel – try to space it out so it works for you! If you take it every time, it can actually make the sickness worse, so be careful. This is why most will opt for taking a ginger supplement or sweets (or both!) to help with travel sickness during their flights, their transfers or even both.

Eating something before you start travelling on any transport

A little bit of food can ease your nausea – prevent travel sickness by eating 2 hours before travelling- try not to eat anything directly before you head out into transportation, be it a car or a plane. This could also help you relax later down the line when it’s time to hit the slopes and prevent any sickness from a late breakfast! A little energy boost is always appreciated. Also, a protein rich smoothie before you travel could help to settle your stomach and reduce your chances of getting a nausea-filled stomach at the ski resort. Most people with travel sickness will eat before and then try to make sure they don’t eat during the time they’re actually taking transport – which is why staying hydrated is even more important.

Changing your diet before you travel

If you’re prone to travel sickness, one of the best things you can do is change your diet. Becoming sick after you’ve eaten is often the result of food sensitivities or imbalances, so if you think that certain foods are making you sick, then switching up what you’re eating may make a difference.  If you suspect you have an intolerance to a food, simply cut it out of your diet for a few days and see if it makes a difference.  Food can affect whether you feel sick or not, so try to avoid the very foods which can commonly cause nausea during your travel (sometimes without you knowing at first) – like nuts, caffeine, red wine and dairy products. Of course, as soon as you arrive at your resort, all those ingredients are 100% a la table! It’s worth it 😉

Travel sickness sorted, and ready to ski?

Book your airport transfers now.

20 telltale signs to check if you have a ski addiction

No 16 applies to our team in Morzine and don’t think any of them will score less than 15. What’s you’re score? The only antidote is more skiing!

Thanks to our friend at Snow Gaper for this great graphic.

8 ways that travel to Europe has changed since the UK left the EU

Okay. So the UK has now left the EU – but what can you expect when travelling to the European member states from 1st January 2021?

The UK will no longer be treated like a member of the EU, and is subject to new rules.

Once the COVID situation is under control and UK citizens are generally allowed to travel abroad again, you’ll need to be aware of these 8 changes when travelling to any EU countries (plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).

Planning your trip…

1. How long you can stay

Most British travellers spend a few weeks at time abroad, however if you are thinking of spending longer you need to be aware that you’ll only be able to stay in an EU country for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need the right to remain/visa. The rules for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania are different – as you can be there for 90-days and not use up your 90-day allowance for other EU countries.

2. Check your passport

You’ll need at least 6 months left on your passport and it must have been issued in the last 10 years. To make sure your passport is valid please visit the Government’s passport checker.

3. Check your travel and health insurance gives you the right level of cover

If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it is valid up to the expiry date displayed on the card.

There are limited details about what will replace EHIC but the UK government has said it will be issuing UK Global Health Insurance Card, which will most likely cover chronic or existing illnesses, maternity care and emergencies. Further details will follow.

The advice is to always take-out comprehensive travel insurance with appropriate healthcare cover, including existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do such as skiing or other winter sports.

Ski-Lifts’ partner for travel insurance can be found here.

4. Mobile roaming charges may now apply

While the UK’s four main mobile operators have said they have no plans to reintroduce roaming fees, it’s a good idea to check with your provider before you head off. As of 1st Jan 2021, Brits in Europe are not guaranteed free mobile data roaming so you could be charged for calls, messages or using the internet or apps.

At the airport…

5. We love a queue but make sure you’re in the right one

You will no longer be able to use the EU passport lanes on arrival. You might also have to show a return ticket and that you have enough money for your stay.

6. Duty free is back!

Good news if you are travelling to the EU from the UK (expect Ireland) as you can now stock up on duty free shopping with tobacco and alcohol limits set to increase as well.

7. Know what food you can take with you

Meat and dairy products cannot be taken into EU countries so please check as recent news reports show they are checking. The exceptions are powdered baby milk, baby food or food required for medical reasons.

8. Driving in Europe

Take the hassle-free approach and book a transfer with Ski-Lifts to ensure that your holiday runs as smoothly as possible – be met at the airport and taken directly to your accommodation. Get an instant quote here.

If you are hiring a car, you’ll need to take your driving licence (you’ll need an international driving permit if yours is the old paper version or issued in Gibraltar, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man).

If you are taking your own vehicle, you’ll also need the logbook (V5C) and valid insurance documents – please contact your insurance company four to six weeks before travel to get a green card to prove you have insurance. They may charge you an admin fee for this. You’ll still need a GB sticker on the car.