The festive ski holiday: how to prepare?
The snow holidays are just around the corner! To make sure everything goes to plan, here is Cimalp's checklist to help you prepare your festive ski break properly. You'll make the most of every moment in the great outdoors, with family or friends.
Choosing the right ski resort
The choice of ski resort is often determined by two criteria:
- What are your activity preferences?
- Who are you travelling with?
Whether you love skiing all day long or prefer to mix up your snow activities, the resort you choose will differ accordingly. And if you are travelling with children or with a group of adults with different tastes, that will also influence your choice of ski resort for your snow holiday. Tignes, Villars-de-Lans or Saint-Lary — pick a winter sports resort that suits you!
Booking your accommodation
Once you have chosen your ski resort, it's time to get down to business! Book your accommodation as early as possible to ensure you have enough places. If you are travelling outside the school holidays, finding accommodation is less of a challenge. And if you enjoy living on the edge, you can always wait until the last minute and take advantage of the many ski accommodation deals available online.
Thinking about ski passes
To access the alpine skiing slopes with ease, consider purchasing ski passes for yourself or your family. You can book your pass through the website of most mountain resorts, making access to the ski lifts straightforward.
Planning the right gear
Technical mountain clothing
To kit yourself out properly for the mountains and winter sports, it is important to ask the right questions. You can then build up your complete set of gear for skiing and other snow sports. Here are a few tips:
- Adapt your gear to your winter activity.
- Stay warm during your time in the snow.
- Choose durable, technical clothing for demanding sports such as cross-country skiing or ski touring.
Once properly kitted out, go at your own pace and soak up the views!
The right gear for your snow activities
Depending on your winter sport practice, you can choose between buying or hiring your equipment. A non-exhaustive list of essential gear:
- skis or a snowboarding board
- ski boots
- ski poles
- ski helmet
- sledging
- snowshoeing
- snow crampons
Making the most of the mountains
Before setting off, make sure your car is properly equipped for winter driving. This will allow you to respond appropriately if heavy snow falls on the road. Once you reach the summit, all that remains is to enjoy — with respect — everything nature and the mountains have to offer!
Winter sports for everyone
There is no shortage of mountain activities! Piste skiing, sledging, hiking, white trail, dog sledding, fatbiking, ski touring, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or even ice diving — the choice is yours. However, it is important to plan your bookings in advance and keep an eye on your budget.
Planning your budget for a ski weekend or week
Relaxation in an idyllic setting
The end-of-year festive season in the snow is no walk in the park. Between full days on the powder, evenings cooking meals with friends or family, moments of rest are few and far between. Remember to switch off and unwind — the mountains are probably the perfect place to pause and take stock. Heated pools, hammams or mountain spas — find your bliss in a wellness bubble. Some establishments offer floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the surrounding massifs. For food lovers, you could opt for a romantic restaurant dinner or a family meal out.
For those who have no plans to visit a ski resort or go skiing, there is always the option of heading somewhere close to home — in a forest or up in the mountains — for a day's hiking in the snow. Either way, it's the holidays! So go with the flow.
