Heidi Blog
If you’re tight on budget or time, a short ski break or weekend is a perfect option. There’s still plenty of time to get a great ski fix in just a few days, especially if you pick the right resort. Here are Heidi's tips of where to head.
Short ski holidays for beginners to intermediates
Leysin, Switzerland
A small and traditional resort, a favourite with families, and within striking distance of Lausanne and Geneva (both by car and train) Leysin is great for a short ski break. There are 60km of pistes in the resort with another 40km in neighbouring Les Mosses, just a 10 minute ride by ski bus. Together they provide a sweet playground of mostly easy to intermediate slopes with incredible views overlooking the Rhone valley and lake Geneva. For thrill seekers looking for maximum fun in a few days, it’s worth squeezing in the tobogganing park, which has one of the longest runs in Switzerland.
Soll, Austria
For the quickest transfers and maximum slope time in Austria, Soll is a great bet. Here you’ll find an intermediate’s playground, with heaps of blue and red runs. Families are also really well catered for with excellent nursery slopes and ski school. The apres scene is pretty lively if that’s your thing, but it’s just as easy to head back to the hotel for delicious Tyrolean food and family-friendly entertainment.
Cortina, Italy
Ahhh. Cortina. Its chief attraction is the jaw-dropping beauty of the place. Cortina is situated in the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by towering rock spires. You’ll love its 83 uncrowded pistes (mostly easy to intermediate), the great food and the relaxed Italian vibes. Off the mountain, things are pretty chilled and refined compared to raucous resorts - but Cortina packs a punch if designer shopping and restaurants are your thing.
Short ski holidays for intermediates to advanced
Chamonix, France
Just an hour from Geneva, Chamonix is great for intermediate and advanced skiers looking to get as much out of a few days as possible. It has one of the longest seasons in the Alps, and one of the liveliest apres scenes too, so you can ski and party hard well into spring. And if you really want to max your experience there’s everything from dog sledding to paragliding when you aren’t on the slopes. (You can always sleep on the way home.)
Courmayeur, Italy
If you’re looking for a short transfer from Geneva airport, it’s tempting to head to a French resort, but Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc is an absolute gem. Particularly good for intermediate and advanced skiers, think perfectly groomed pistes through pine forests with open bowls that are ideal for snowboarders too. For the more advanced, enquire at the guides office about off-piste adventures. If you can make the time, one of the most spectacular things you can do is to take the Skyway Monte Bianco – the cable car that takes you up to 3,466 metres.
Short ski holidays for all ski abilities
La Clusaz, France
Just a 50km transfer from Geneva, La Clusaz is an ideal destination if you’ve only got a few days. It’s also got lots of ski-in ski-out accommodation, ideal for packing in your time on the mountain. Situated in the Aravis mountains it’s a traditional and charming resort that offers skiers and boarders a range of slopes. With a number of greens and blues it’s ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers but there are eight black runs and plenty of off-piste for powder fiends and freeride heroes - so there is something for pretty much everyone (including foodies).
Flaine, France
Flaine is one of our most popular resorts, known for its reliable snow and ski-in-ski-out convenience. Flaine is a good choice for snowboarders being home to the biggest terrain park in the Grand Massif. And with free lifts on the beginner slopes, an excellent ski school and childcare facilities, Flaine is naturally popular with families too. If you’re looking for a wild party there are probably better choices, but for a few days where every level of skier can really pack in their time on the mountain, Flaine should be on your radar.
Morzine, France
Just over an hour from Geneva, Morzine is one of the most accessible of the big, interconnected resorts, giving access to the vast playground that is the Portes du Soleil area. It’s got something for every level of skier, lots for non-skiers, and if you really want to pack it into a long weekend, the apres scene is pretty lively too. The village itself is nestled at 1,000m and the picture of old world Savoyarde charm.
Fugen, Austria
Taking it down a notch, the quiet resort of Fügen in the Zillertal Valley boasts ideal pistes for beginners, families and cruisers, and a relaxed après scene that is more about chilling at the spa and eating well afterwards in true Austrian style. The local slopes are great for beginners and families, but there is plenty of intermediate and advanced skiing in the wider Hochzillertal area (accessed on 10-minute bus ride to Kaltenbach).
One of the main benefits of a ski trip with Heidi is you don't have to go for a full week if you don't want to. Sometimes a quick ski fix is just what you need! If you'd like any more help in choosing the right resort for you, give us a ring.
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