As the nights draw in, thoughts are turning to fresh snow and blue bird days on the mountains…

I’m sure you are already thinking about where your next ski trip will be, but in which ski resorts is the snow forecast? We’ve put together a list of ski resorts across the world that are open or are opening very soon…

AUSTRIA – SNOW FORECAST
Austria is one of the most famous and most popular skiing destinations in the world. The amount of ski resorts is vast and because of this, there is something to suit everyone. 
Obergurgl is due to open this weekend and Kitzbuhel has already opened some of its high altitude runs, with snow forecast looking positive. Consider recommending Glacier ski areas, both Hintertux and Solden ski resorts now have more than 30km of runs open, the most in Europe!

Transfers from Innsbruck Airport to Austrian resorts all take less than 2 hours!

SWITZERLAND – SNOW FORECAST
Switzerland has an extensive history in Alpine sports, being one of the pioneer countries in the sport of skiing.
Verbier announced it is opening its Lac Des Vaux slope and will continue to open more as due to good snow forecast, until the main season starts on December 3rd. Sass Fee, which has reported the best snow depth in the world and Zermatt, has over 15 miles of runs available.

Transfers from Geneva Airport to these Switzerland Resorts take between 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.

FRANCE – SNOW FORECAST
France is one of the most popular destinations for a skiing holiday in the world, and rightly so. The range of destinations on offer caters for every standard, every type of skier there could possibly be, and every winter budget. Val Thorens delayed its opening date but with good snow cover on the tops, they have a revised opening date of November 26th which is the same as Tignes. Val d’Isere have announced its season start will be December 3rd with snowfall down to about 1500 metres.

Transfers from Geneva Airport to these French Resorts take between 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.

ITALY – SNOW FORECAST
There are three large, linked ski areas in Italy, so it is easy to get some serious amounts of skiing packed into your ski holiday. First of those ski areas is the Dolomiti Superski, which covers 1200km of pistes. Next up is the Milky Way ski area, the 400km of pistes connect multiple resorts. Finally, the Monta Rosa ski area. This ski area is often touted as one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. There are extensive off-piste runs to explore, as well as 180km of pistes. A few resorts have opened, Cervinia has had fresh snowfall and Val Senales is open with 4 miles of high-altitude terrain available.

Turin Airport to Cervinia transfer time is approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
Geneva Airport to Cervinia transfer time is approx. 3 hours

USA/CANADA – SNOW FORECAST
It’s great news for the North American ski slopes with a number of ski areas announcing early open dates due to good snowfall.

Vail calls itself ‘North America’s favourite ski resort’. That’s a grand, subjective statement we can’t confirm, but there is one thing we do know for sure: it’s America’s biggest ski resort. Vail’s got over 5,289 ski-able acres and 7 legendary back bowls spanning 7 miles. Free buses and heated walkways connect its four distinct base areas. Breckenridge is an American ski resort giving you access to 155 individual pistes and 32 ski lifts. Although the proportion of black runs available vs blue & green runs might appear intimidating to less experienced skiers, Breckenridge is actually an excellent resort for all levels of ability.

Denver Airport to Vail transfer time is approx. 2 hours 15 minutes
Eagle Airport to Vail transfer time is approx. 1 hour

Denver Airport to Breckenridge transfer time is approx. 2 hours
Eagle Airport to Breckenridge transfer time is approx. 1 hour 30 minutes

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The Best French Après Ski Resorts

A day on the mountain is hard to beat, but what do you do after a day of skiing or snowboarding can make your trip one of the best!

We have asked our team here in Morzine and have decided on our favourite top 5 French resorts for Après Ski!

Val d’Isere

The Val d’Isere’s après ski scene has something for everyone and is known for its Après Ski scene worldwide. We are sure you’ve heard of the Folie Douce, this bar has performers who dance, play instruments, perform circus tricks and generally form a massive mountainside party every afternoon. Top DJs play at Dick’s Tea Bar in the town centre where you are able to dance until 5am! Cocorico is also a must visit if you like live music on the piste-side. So, whether you are young or old, you are sure to enjoy the Après Ski in Val d’Isere.

Transfers from Geneva Airport to Val d’Isere take approx. 3hrs.

Meribel

Meribel’s Rond Point – also known as the Ronnie – is a world-class après ski institution and has been drawing in crowds for decades with its live bands and loud DJ sets. Its sister venue is the O’Sullivans Club, where you’ll find drinks deals and themed funk, soul and disco nights. This Three Valleys resort is huge with British skiers and snowboarders, so if you want a home-from-home party atmosphere with the bonus of mountains on your doorstep, this is the après ski destination for you!

Transfers from Chambery Airport to Meribel take approx. 1hr 30 mins. 

Transfers from Geneva Airport to Meribel take approx. 2hrs 15 mins.

Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez is no sleepy ski resort. It has its own branch of Folie Douce, the Freeride Café with its pool tables (and a slide to the toilet!) and Smithy’s Tavern with its Tex Mex menu, beer jugs and band nights. When everywhere else has shut up shop for the night, there’s a nightclub called L’Igloo which stays open until the early hours. Drinks and dancing aren’t the only après ski activities, there’s also a big outdoor ice rink, where you can sometimes watch ice hockey games and the Sports and Convention Centre offering swimming, squash, climbing and bouldering.

Transfers from Grenoble Airport to Alpe d’Huez take approx. 1hr 40 mins.

Val Thorens

Val Thorens is the highest resort in the Alps, and many people say it’s also the liveliest. The resort usually puts on a big event each month, like the JBL Snow Party (with performers including Tinie Tempah) and Festi Val Tho (an electro event), making it very popular for student ski trips. All season long, bars like 360 and Folie Douce mark the end of the skiing day with loud music and dancing, while Le Malaysia (the biggest nightclub in the Alps) is the place to end your night. 

Transfers from Geneva Airport to Val Thorens take approx. 2hrs 30 mins.

Transfers from Chambery Airport to Val Thorens take approx. 1hr 30 mins.

Courchevel

Posh, but never too posh to party, Courchevel is world-renowned for its expensive and exclusive après ski scene. Follow the routine of the rich and famous and slip from the slopes (or the shops) into a chic bar like Le 8611 for an aperitif, move on for a Michelin starred meal in one of the celebrated eateries, then head to Les Caves nightclub to spend a small fortune on a jeroboam or two of champagne. While Courchevel 1850 is the place to see and be seen, the other villages also have some great bars, for example, Fire and Ice and Bubble Bar in 1650.

Transfers from Geneva Airport to Courchevel take approx. 2hrs 30 mins.

Transfers from Chambery Airport to Courchevel take approx. 1hr 30 mins.

So, now you’ve chosen your next Ski Trip, it’s time to book your transfers!

Skiing in Switzerland this Year – Our 2021/2022 Recommendations

Travel to and from Switzerland is relatively easy this year, with eased restrictions from December 20th, and the payoff is brilliant. Great snow conditions have been reported across resorts, and bars as well as restuarants are open with seating and well as mask requirements in place.

Transfers to any of these resorts is simple from Geneva Airport, transfer time to Zermatt is approximately 2hrs30mins, to Saas Fee transfer time is roughly 2hrs30mins and Verbier is under two hours.

Here’s a selection of our favourite resorts across Switzerland.

Zermatt

Zermatt was awarded the Best European Ski Resort at the 2020 Ski Club Industry awards, and for good reason. There are over 285km of on-piste runs, with the greatest number of slopes geared towards for intermediate skiers, however due to its size and proximity to surrounding resorts there is something for everyone. For access to the surrounding areas in Italy you can get an interlinked ski pass which covers 360km of slopes.

Zermatt is famously known as the home of the Matterhorn and has a beautiful landscape which can be viewed skiing or walking lakeside closer to the base of the mountain.

Outside of skiing, there are over 100 restaurants to dine in, as well as many bars, or spas for those looking to recuperate after a long day exercising.

Verbier

Verbier is fantastic for off piste skiing and snowboarding, with many areas suitable to those new to off piste skiing. The area is interlinked with the expansive 4 vallees, so there are slopes suitable to all skiers, as well as cross country skiing.

When skiing in Verbier you will encounter many wide, steep slopes, perfect for meandering or snowplowing down at your own pace, with the quietest routes free for the more advanced skiers to speed down.

Aside from skiing, Verbier is well known as having Switzerlands best apres ski and nightlife. There are many sophisticated cocktail bars, as well as apres ski bars that have live bands (try Farinet for live music every day throughout ski season) and venues with DJ’s open till late.

Saas Fee

Saas Fee is a great place to ski or snowboard, with two snowparks and a half pipe for adventurous types.

Saas Fee is known to be less expensive than Zermatt, however Zermatt is reachable by an off-piste route, therefore it is a great location for those wanting to save a bit of money while experiencing great ski conditions. Saas Fee itself is considered a charming village, it is a car-free resort so ski in ski out is convenient, and the accomodation is quaint and traditionally Swiss.

There are over 40 restuarants in Saas Fee at various price points, the food is mostly traditional and warming, with many bakeries and tea rooms ideal for mid-morning ski breaks.

Swiss Entry Requirements – 20^th Dec 2021

As of December 20th Switzerland have eased restrictions for entry to the country. You now need a pre-departure negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours) or a lateral flow test (not older than 24 hours) to enter the country.  The lateral flow option was added last week, giving skiers the opportunity to reduce their test costs. Children can accompany their vaccinated parents, and requirements to isolate in the resort or take Day 4 or Day 7 tests were removed for fully vaccinated adults. All travellers must complete passenger locator forms. 

Of course our top tips for Skiiing confidently this winter continue to apply:

1. Always book your transfers with Ski-Lifts – our flexible cancellation terms and Covid guarantees are there should your plans change
2. Always review Foreign Office travel advice before you book and again before travelling
3. Check your travel insurance that it comprehensively covers you should your travel plans need to change.

Best early skiing in Europe

If you want to beat the crowds and get in a ski trip before the end of year, then you do not have to wait till January or February for good snow and skiing. High resort altitudes and glacier skiing offer opportunities to ski early on in the season, so you can beat the crowds and holiday sooner.

Best resort to ski in October

Cervinia

Ideally situated at a resort altitude of 2050m, Cervinia is known for its long season running between October and May and consistently good snow. Skiers in Cervinia can enjoy a wide range of piste’s as Zermatte and Valtournenche are both reachable and covered by the Cervinia ski pass, totalling 350km of piste. There are slopes ideal for beginner and intermediate skiiiers; slopes in the Klein Matterhorn glacier area better suited to beginner skiiers, and more challenging slopes are generally found in Zermatt. Cervinia itself is known for wide, long and spacious trails that offer the opportunity for those new to skiing to snowplough around and those more adventurous to race down.

Cervinia is geared towards families, with a plethora of ski schools and after ski family activities such as a cinema, bowling and amusement arcade. There are accommodation options to suit all budgets and over 50 cafe’s and restaurants at various price points.

Find out more about what Cervinia has to offer here.

Best resort to ski in November

Les Deux Alpes

Due to being a glacier resort, Les Deux Alpes has a long ski season from late November to April. Despite its altitude and proximity to Mont-de-Lans glacier, there is plenty of sun with many south facing slopes and a mostly tree-less terrain.

Les Deux Alpes is ideal for skiers and snowboarders with its modern lift system and wide range of slopes amounting to 220km of pistes. Skiers can access slopes at their highest point of 3600m, with 2300 metres of slopes downwards from its peak.

Known particularly for its suitability for snowboarders, Les Deux Alpes has a border cross and half pike as well as snowparks for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.

There are runs suitable for skiers at all levels, with easier slopes found at the top of the summit and more challenging slopes lower down the slope. For those looking for a budget destination, Les Deux Alpes is ideal with a wide range of accommodation at affordable prices, as well as places to eat and drink.

Book your Les Deux Alpes transfers, or find out more about the resort here.

Best resort to ski in December

Tignes

Sitting at a resort altitude of 2100m, Tignes has a long snow sure season between early December and May.

Tignes is a go to destination for intermediate and experienced skiers, with a wide range of steep, challenging slopes. There are over 100 blue and red runs between Tignes and Val D’Isere and infamous slopes such as “The Wall” which attract thousands of ambitious skiers each year.

Outside of skiing Tignes is known for its apres ski scene, with some of the best bars in the Alpes as well as popular nightclubs that stay open late.