Hidden Gems – Best hidden Ski Resorts

Did you know that Europe is  home to many unknown ski resorts? You may have heard of Tignes and you may have heard of Chamonix – but the line doesn’t stop there! From Bulgaria to France to Italy – there are many hidden ski resorts that are nestled away in the snowy mountains. Here are our top 5 –

Soldeu

The small village is popular with families and those after a little luxury. Everything’s lined up along one central road and it’s only around 10 minutes’ walk to get from one end of the village to the other, meaning it’s really easy to get around. Soldeu is in the the biggest ski area in Andorra. The gondola takes you up to the slopes where you’ll get good snow and views from day one. The slopes are slopes that are especially suited to beginners and intermediates however, more experienced skiers can set out to explore the rest of the area, then ski back down to Soldeu on tree-lined blue or black runs.

Toulouse Airport to Soldeu transfer time is approx. 2hrs 15mins

Pamporovo

Pamporovo’s a great resort for your first ski holiday. There’s an award winning ski school with some excellent beginner-friendly runs. With 36km of trails, getting your bearings is easy, so you can just enjoy the skiing. Pamporovo’s hotels are surrounded by thick pine forests, with a handful of restaurants and bars in the resort. Skiing in Bulgaria is much cheaper than Western Europe, Pamporovo is no exception, so you can ensure that you won’t be spending a fortune on your ski holiday here.

Sofia Airport to Pamporovo transfer time is approx. 3hrs

Serre Chevalier

When it comes to finding the best hidden resorts in France, look no further than this place. Serre Chevalier is one of the most underrated ski resorts near Grenoble. Despite its hidden status, skiers at this resort also have the option of using their lift pass at the nearby resorts of Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes. Long blues and reds make up most of the mountain, though there’s also a nursery area in each village for beginners, and advanced skiers won’t want to miss the black run called Olympic. As well as this, the laid-back style of this resort, friendly locals and cheaper prices than will leave you coming back for more.

Turin Airport to Serre Chevalier transfer time is approx. 2hrs

Arraba

Arabba is one of Italy’s quiet ski resorts that is located in the heart of Dolomites. You will be assured to have an unforgettable ski break at this hidden resort.  Arabba, is surrounded by 62km of the best intermediate and advanced slopes in the whole of Dolomiti Superski. The view of Portavescovo Mountain will leave you in awe. However, the skiing at Arraba is always the number one priority. As the resort is home to some amazing technical pistes, you will not be disappointed here. Also, those wanting to learn to ski will be pleased to know that there are some perfect nursery slopes lower down the mountain.

Innsbruck Airport to Arabba transfer time is approx. 2hrs30mins

Seefeld

The lifts are fast and modern, and there’s a gentle area to get you started, as well as a separate mountain with steeper runs when you’re more confident. Seefeld boasts a spacious ski arena covering a total area of over 600,000 square metres equipped with state-of-the-art lift facilities for beginners and experienced skiers. 26 kilometres of slopes and no fewer than 34 cable-cars, chairlifts and tows ensure non-stop skiing fun for sports fans and sun worshippers alike.

Salzburg Airport to Seefeld transfer time is approx. 50mins

We cover over 200+ ski resort destinations! Book your transfers today to secure the best rates and availability!

Fresh Snow is on its Way!

After North America and Japan getting all the fresh snow in the last couple of weeks, it now looks to be the Alps turn, with cold weather and snow heading in from Sunday. One stand out on the forecast currently is Alpe D’Huez  and Les Deux Alpes suggesting upwards of 50cm of fresh snow on Sunday and Monday alone. Val Thorens over 40cm and Avoriaz over 30cm.

“The weather in the Alps will remain mostly fine for the rest of this week before it turns much more unsettled from the west on Sunday,” said the alpine weather expert, Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk “This much anticipated change in the weather is likely to bring significant snow to the north-western Alps (exactly where it is most needed) late on Sunday and on Monday.”

We’ll be watching carefully as the forecast evolves for later into next week and will keep the updates coming across our social media as to where is expecting the most snow.

What we know for definite is that demand for transfers throughout December and into January is still at the highest we have ever seen and we know they’ll be an increase in demand after the dump on Sunday! Click below to receive an instant quote for your ski transfers.

We cover over 200+ ski resort destinations! Book your transfers today to secure the best rates and availability!

Top Ski Resorts with Short Transfer Times

Your time is valuable when you’re on holiday and there’s skiing to be done. No one wants to be wasting time on a transfer from the airport to the ski resort, especially when time isn’t on your side.

Here at Ski-Lifts, we ensure that your transfer is seamless, get an instant quote today and book a hassle-free transfer with Ski-Lifts, to one of these ski resorts with short transfer times.

Morzine, France

Morzine is one of the resorts across the Portes du Soleil ski area in France, which stretches up the France–Switzerland border. With 52 hotels and 41 bars and restaurants, there is no shortage of facilities. With that being said, Morzine still manages to pull off that genuine mountain village vibe. When it comes to the slopes, Morzine is a perfect ski resort for beginners and intermediate skiers, with plenty of gentle pistes.

Even if you’re not a dedicated skier, Morzine is one of those ski resorts where there is an abundance of other activities to fill up your holiday while everyone else is whizzing down the slopes. These adventurous activities include ice-diving in a lake, nature discovery tours, snowmobiling, tobogganing, snowshoeing and of course, shopping.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Geneva Airport to Morzine (75 minutes, 76km)

Chamonix, France

Chamonix town in Chamonix Valley is bustling with life, thanks to the 9,000 permanent residents and plenty of tourists. While Chamonix could hardly be classed as a tranquil alpine retreat, the surrounding cliffs and tumbling glaciers of the Mont Blanc massif makes a stunning setting. The town’s old buildings have kept their authentic look and also now that Chamonix centre is traffic-free, it offers pleasant walkways, with cafés looking over the river Arve’s torrent and no shortage of quirky shops – galleries, bookshops and speciality food, along with classic souvenirs and the latest ski and snowboarding gadgets.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Geneva Airport to Chamonix (65 minutes, 99km)

Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier is the main resort in the 4 Valleys, the largest Swiss ski area. Verbier’s success is due to a combination of a sunny, scenic location, brilliant terrain and a lively bar scene.  Verbier has been a long-time favourite of the young and sporty clientele. The fact that Verbier is so easy to access from Geneva Airport has also helped with the popularity.

Thanks to the altitude of the ski area and the snowmaking, Verbier is a safe bet when you’re booking for early or late season.  The resort itself sits at 1,500m, however, heights of more than 2,700m can be reached by a couple of gondola rides, which only take around 11 minutes altogether.  At 2700m you can guarantee there will be abundant snowfall.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Geneva Airport to Verbier (120 minutes, 160km)

Courmayeur, Italy

Much like Chamonix, located on the French side of Mont Blanc in Chamonix Valley, upmarket Courmayeur is one of the great ski and climbing towns in the Alps. The Italian side of Mont Blanc has a totally different weather pattern to that of the French side. In the winter Courmayeur gets much more sunshine than shady and chilly Chamonix. The centre of Courmayeur village is pedestrianised and lined with high-end boutiques, lively bars, quality restaurants and even antique and homeware shops. The main ski area is reached by cable car from the centre of the village. The top lift reaches a maximum height of 2,755m and the bottom of the slopes lay at 1,224m.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Turin Airport to Courmayeur (90 minutes, 150km)

St Anton, Austria

St Anton is, Arlberg is situated in the western part of the Austrian Tyrol region, the town has always been well known for its natural beauty, reliable snowfall and the excellent condition of the slopes. The large, networked lift system in St Anton includes the neighbouring resorts of St Christoph and Stuben and a St Anton ski pass also covers the resorts of Lech and Zurs.  Although the town does lay low, luckily there’s a good range of skiing from 1200m to almost 3000m. The ground is grassy and below 2000m, so there’s no real need for a large snow base to make the runs skiable. However, well over a metre of snow is needed to cover the rocks above the treeline. Early on in the season, lower resorts are likely to have more runs open.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Innsbruck Airport to St Anton (60 minutes, 100km)

Mayrhofen, Austria

Skiers and snowboarders have been hitting the slopes by Mayrhofen for more than a century and for the locals, providing hospitality, is a way of life. The Zillertal, where Mayrhofen lies, is also famous for being one of Austria’s most musical valleys – almost every member of local families can boast of being a member of a band. The musical theme extends to all the way to the mountain, where music can be heard across the slopes from every mountain hut.  Mayrhofen boasts 136km of runs and 57 lifts, a reputation for consistent snowfall throughout the season and runs which sit between 1,650m and 2,500m. Mayrhofen is packed full of red runs and suits versed intermediates perfectly. For those experts, Mayrhofen is home to Austria’s steepest slope, the Harakiri.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Innsbruck Airport to Mayrhofen (60 minutes, 70km)

La Clusaz, France

La Clusaz is an authentic mountain village that boasts a rustic and Gallic charm. Due to the proximity to Geneva airport, La Clusaz attracts a tonne of weekend visitors. The local slopes are all below 2500m, so snow conditions can be unpredictable, however, there is a lot of snowmaking to make up for that. There are steep black runs and bumps, as well as decent off-piste when conditions allow. There are also challenging but wide blues, as well as gentle nursery slopes up to the mountain. La Clusaz is home to rustic huts throughout, and a few lively bars to keep you occupied.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Geneva Airport to La Clusaz (90 minutes, 70km)

Solden, Austria

Solden is home to some challenging red pistes and exceptionally long top-to-bottom runs.  For those who love the lively bar scene, Solden is the place for you. The ski area in Solden is not enormous. However, the runs go high and all sectors offer serious vertical and also some long runs. Snowmaking spans across 67% of the area, including all slopes on Giggijoch. Even in a generally poor season, you can usually count on coverage, even down to resort level.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Innsbruck Airport to Solden (70 minutes, 83km)

Kitzbuhel, Austria

This medieval silver-mining centre deserves its reputation as one of the most picturesque ski towns in the Alps. Old coaching inns which have now inevitably been converted into four- and five-star hotels compete for space in the medieval streets alongside expensive fashion boutiques and fancy cafés. The town stands at 800m and the top lift at 2,000m. For guaranteed snow, head to Kitzbuhel between the end of January and the majority of February. Although Kitzbuhel may look like one of the most expensive resorts in Europe, surprisingly prices fail to reach anywhere near the heights of Courchevel or Zermatt.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Innsbruck Airport to Kitzbuhel (80 minutes, 83km)

Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck is a city, not a ski resort, right? Our answer to that is, take a look at the map.  Innsbruck is a place surrounded by mountains. To the north lies the Nordkette. South-east of Innsbruck city centre is the Patscherkofl, while to the south you will find the east-west ridge of the Alps and the slopes of the Stubai Glacier. To be precise, there are nine ski areas surrounding the city, covered by the same lift pass. These ski areas offer a brilliant variety of terrain.

Ski-Lifts Airport to Ski Resort Transfer Time – Innsbruck Airport to Innsbruck (15 minutes, 6km)

Book your ski transfer today

If you’re heading to one of these ski destinations with a short transfer time, don’t forget to book your airport to resort transfer with us here at Ski-Lifts! We offer transfers to over 200 resorts across Europe and America, whether you’re an individual, couple or a group – and booking online is hassle-free. Once your transfer has been organised, you’ll be able to start planning for your ski trip. It’s that simple! Get an instant quote today.

2022/2023 European Ski Season opening dates

After the success of the 2021/2022 season, we are all very excited to return to our favourite European ski resorts! Our aim at Ski-Lifts is to make your ski experience as seamless as possible, so we have compiled a list of opening dates for European resorts that are open for Ski, Snowboard (and Transfer!) bookings.

Austria ski resort opening dates

Bad Kleinkirchheim	08/12/22 – 02/04/23	Bad Kleinkirchheim ski transfers
Hintertux	Open all year round	Hintertux ski transfers
Ischgl	24/11/22 – 05/01/23	Ischgl ski transfers
Kitzbühel	Estimated 29/10/22 – 16/04/23	Kitzbühel ski transfers
Mayrhofen	Estimated 03/12/22 – 15/04/23	Mayrhofen ski transfers
Solden	19/11/22 – 28/04/23	Solden ski transfers
St Anton	02/12/22 – 23/04/23	St Anton ski transfers
Innsbruck	25/10/22 – 28/04/23	Innsbruck ski transfers

Bulgaria ski resort opening dates

Bankso	Estimated 12/12/22 – 13/04/23	Bankso ski transfers
Borovets	Estimated 18/12/22 – 15/04/23	Borovets ski transfers

France ski resort opening dates

Alpe D’Huez	Estimated 03/12/22 – 23/04/23	Alpe D’Huez ski transfers
Avoriaz	Estimated 10/12/22 – 23/04/23	Avoriaz ski transfers
Chamonix	Estimated 17/12/22 – 16/04/23	Chamonix ski transfers
Courchevel	Estimated 03/12/22 – 23/04/23	Courchevel ski transfers
Flaine	03/12/22 – 16/04/23	Flaine ski transfers
La Tania	19/11/22 – 08/05/23	La Tania ski transfers
Les Gets	17/12/22 – 10/04/23	Les Gets ski transfers
Les Menuires	09/12/22 – 23/04/23	Les Menuires ski transfers
Méribel	03/12/22 – 23/04/23	Meribel ski transfers
Val Thorens	19/11/22 – 07/05/23	Val Thorens ski transfers
Tignes	26/11/22 – 07/05/23	Tignes ski transfers
Morzine	17/12/22 – 10/04/23	Morzine ski transfers

Germany ski resort opening dates

Garmisch

16/12/22 – 02/04/23

Gamisch ski transfers

 

 

Italy ski resort opening dates

Arabba	08/12/22 – 16/04/23	Arabba ski transfers
Cervinia	01/10/22 – 07/05/23	Cervinia ski transfers
Cortina	26/11/22 – 01/05/23	Cortina ski transfers
Sauze d’oulx	Estimated 08/12/22 – 13/04/23	Sauze d’oulx ski transfers
Livigno	26/11/22 – 29/04/23	Livigno ski transfers
Madonna Di Campiglio	03/12/22 – 02/04/23	Madonna Di Campiglio ski transfers
Val Gardena	03/12/22 – 11/04/23	Val Gardena ski transfers

Slovenia ski resort opening dates

Kranjska Gora

02/12/22 – 16/04/23

Kranjska Gora ski transfers

Switzerland ski resort opening dates

Davos & Klosters	Various dates	Davos & Klosters ski transfers
Gstaad	10/12/22 – 10/04/23	Gstaad ski transfers
Saas Fee	Estimated 29/10/22 – 23/04/23	Saas Fee ski transfers
Verbier	Estimated 03/12/22 – 23/04/23	Verbier ski transfers

 

We cover over 200+ ski resort destinations! Book your transfers today to secure the best rates and availability!

 

CHRISTMAS SKI TRANSFERS AVAILABLE TO BOOK NOW

 

Are you dreaming of heading to snowier climates this festive season? It’s time to turn those dreams into reality. Christmas Ski transfers to popular resorts during the busy season are already getting booked up, so, to make the decision easier, we’ve put together a list of our favourite resorts to spend this Christmas.

Courchevel, France

Just a 2 hour, 30-minute transfer from Geneva Airport, Courchevel is located at one end of the world’s largest lift-linked ski area, the Three Valleys. You’ll have access to 600km of pistes and over 70 lifts! The snow in Courchevel is usually some of the best in the whole of the Three Valleys, thanks to the local slopes facing north. There’s terrain to suit everyone from beginner to expert, making Courchevel a perfect family getaway for Christmas.

Wengen, Switzerland

If you’re looking for a truly festive Swiss break, then Wengen will delight you.  The streets are decorated for Christmas and Christmas Eve. If you want to take in some local culture, join the local Swiss families and attend Midnight Mass, then get together afterwards to share homemade doughnuts and hot chocolate. Sharing a ski area with Grindelwald, Wengen sits on a sunny shelf and most of its slopes sit above its neighbour, under the north face of the Eiger.  If you purchase a Jungfrau lift pass then you can ski in both resorts, as well as next-door Mürren.  

Wengen is perfect for families, just a 2 hour, 30-minute transfer from Geneva Airport. The resort is virtually car-free and in the centre, there’s a snow-covered field that serves brilliantly as a nursery slope and a playground.  The main way up the mountain is the cog railway, which gives any progressing children the chance to access the village from Lauterbrunnen down in the valley.

Megeve, France

Megève was originally created to give France its very own St Moritz. As the story goes, in 1914 the French set about transforming the original farming village into what it is today, a resort with expensive boutiques, fancy restaurants and hotels all lining the town square and the cobbled streets. The Swarovski Christmas tree in Megève is a must see!

If you’re looking for a lavish Christmas break, just an hour and twenty-minute transfer from Geneva, then Megève is the place for you. Altogether there are seven 5-star hotels, one 3-Michelin-star restaurant and four that have 1-Michelin-star. Megeve has its brilliant share of accommodation, including hotels, private rentals, residences, chalets, and guestrooms. 

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is Switzerland’s most famous resort. Approximately a 2hrs, 30 minute transfer from Geneva Airport – Think horse-drawn sleighs, glowing shop windows and chestnut and glühwein stalls, that’s exactly how Zermatt is at Christmas. The world’s most photogenic mountain, the Matterhorn ensures that Zermatt is loved by many and known all around the world, so it’s time to book your Christmas ski transfers ASAP!

If you’re worried about early-season snow at Christmas, well, you needn’t worry about Zermatt’s snow-sure slopes from late November. Its high-altitude top stations (all the way up to 3,820m), a modern and slick lift system and the fantastic mountain restaurants, ensure Zermatt is a cut above the rest. There are links to Cervinia over the Italian border from here, so you can even pop over for a pizza.

Val Thorens, France

Val Thorens is the highest resort in the huge Three Valleys ski area, Val Thorens is actually the highest resort in Europe. The high-altitude of Val Thorens slopes means that this resort is snow-sure from November onwards, so there’s no need to worry about snow cover over the Christmas period. 

The terrain around Val Thorens suits everyone from beginner to expert, however, intermediates are those who Val Thorens suits the most.  If you’re up for some long, cruising runs over the Christmas period, then head over to Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville.

he closest airport to Val Thorens is Chambery, but there are plenty of other nearby airports that the big airlines fly into. The journey from Geneva may take longer at 3hrs (than Chambery at 90 mins), but Geneva airport is preferred by some skiers for its relatively faster luggage processing and other facilities.

Kitzbuhel, Austria

This amazing alpine village is nestled in Tyrol, it’s a beautiful picture-perfect Austrian resort. From the 26th November, you’ll find a festive filled Christmas market with local handicraft stores, fir trees and plenty of konditorei (a cafe selling pastries). Spend your days skiing and enjoying pony rides and a petting zoo. Each evening from 6 pm, the central square is filled with singing from the local choirs. Transfers from Innsbuck to Kitzbuhel take around 1 hour and 30 minutes, you can also fly to Salzburg and Munich, which takes about 2 hours to Kitzbuhel.