Heidi Blog
How to combine a city break with a ski holiday
Can’t choose between a city escape or a ski holiday?
Love the winter wonderland vibes of staying in a ski resort but want the buzz of a city?
A city ski break gives you the best of both worlds. Here, you can combine the fun, après, and snow-spun wonder of a ski resort with all the culture, fine dining, and shopping opportunities that come with a city. Here are Heidi's top tips on how to ski the best slopes while on a winter city break.
How many days do you need for a skiing holiday & city break?
It all depends on who you are as a skier. While 3 days skiing may feel too much for some, 5 days may not be enough for others.
If you’re looking to tuck in a bit of skiing in the morning around an afternoon of après and city exploration, a weekend ski break is more than worth it. Not only does this keep costs low, but with plenty of resorts just a short transfer and flight away - weekend ski breaks are ideal for those short on time and on a budget.
Wanting more time on the slopes? A week-long skiing holiday gives you plenty of time on the piste while having free days to explore local museums, taste local delicacies, and channel your inner winter daredevil with fantastic winter sports like winter canyoning and ice climbing.
Can you go on a ski holiday and not ski?
A city ski trip is fantastic for groups with non-skiers still seeking their dream snowy winter escape. Don't want to ski? There's still plenty to do: adrenaline seekers can take to winter sports like sledging, canyoning, and snowshoeing, while the more relaxed enjoy fine dining at fantastic restaurants and stress-melting spa retreats - bliss.
We believe Chamonix is the best ski resort in France for non-skiers. Here, you can explore snowy meadows on snowshoeing hikes, ascend frozen waterfalls, and take the Aiguille du midi cable car to stand atop the peak of Mt Blanc. On days off, indulge in some serious retail therapy, soak up the scenery in one of the many spas, and finish the night hitting the legendary après scene in town.
Where is the best place to go on a skiing holiday & city break?
City escapes and ski holidays really do go hand in hand. For instance, Geneva in Switzerland is a fantastic city break for those seeking a wee bit of luxury alongside the snow with high-end stores, a historic ambience, and to-die-for chocolatiers. From Geneva, some ski resorts are only an hour away, meaning you can split your days between cruising the slopes and exploring the city.
We've compiled our top 3 European city ski breaks that give you the best of both worlds:
1. Innsbruck, Austria
For those wondering is skiing is a good couples' holiday, Innsbruck is a mere snowball throw from some of the most romantic ski resorts in Austria. Simply hop on the tram at Innsbruck Pacherstraße, and be at the slopes in 15 minutes!
Innsbruck is your archetypal Austrian city in the heart of the Alps with a cosmopolitan mix of old and new. Its architectural highlights include the Imperial Palace, Ambras Castle, the Golden Roof, and the Imperial Church to name but a few. With idyllic scenery, varied skiing, and world-renowned après, Innsbruck is the perfect weekend ski holiday for couples, with the resorts of Igls and Seefeld close enough that you could ski all morning and still find time to explore the best of the city come afternoon.
- Igls
Igls has a small but perfectly formed selection of pristine pistes overlooking Innsbruck. Uncrowded nursery slopes close to the village are perfect for newbies, while intermediate skiers will relish smooth-flowing blues and reds. If you fancy stretching your ski legs, grab a pass to the wider Innsbruck ski area and head to the Stubai glacier for some serious freeride flow.
- Seefeld
Seefeld is the dream resort for a long weekend getaway, especially for beginners. Full of Austrian charm, it’s home to 34km of mostly cruisy pistes, spread between two distinct areas - the 1,500m Gschwandtkopf mountain and the higher and more extensive Seefelder mountain, served by an efficient lift system.
When to go: One of the best times to visit is when there’s something festive going on, for example, ‘Fasching’ in late February - the pre-Lent carnival when everyone dresses up and parties - which fortunately tends to coincide with the best snow cover of the season.
2. Granada, Spain
Picture the scene: you arrive in the Sierra Nevada, ski all afternoon under the simmering Spanish sun, snack on delicious tapas, and sip ice-cold sangria before hitting an après-ski bar. ¡Salud!
Early the next morning, a 35-minute drive takes you into the fabulous historic city of Granada, ready to explore the beautiful Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Sierra Nevada
Packed with Spanish charm, at over 3000m, Sierra Nevada is one of Europe's highest ski resorts. On a clear bluebird day here, you can enjoy Mediterranean Sea views and even visit the beach - there really is nowhere else quite like it! From beginner-friendly green pistes to powdery red runs and even a World Cup Giant Slalom course, every level of skier is satisfied in the mountains of Sierra Nevada.
When to go: February is usually a calm month in Granada. The cooler weather means fewer tourists - ideal for half-term breaks.
3. Ljubljana, Slovenia
If you fancy skiing, dog-sledge rides, ice skating, and spa time on top of a spot of city exploration, head to the ski resort of Kranjska Gora. Located an hour from the beautiful capital city of Ljubljana, come here to get your fill of Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, great restaurants, museums, and fantastic shopping.
- Kranjska Gora
With 18 ski slopes ranging from the 'snowy beach' nursery slope to the Bloudkova Velikanka ski jumping hill, there's a tidy sum of runs to keep all skiers entertained at Kranjska Gora. As night descends, floodlit night runs mean you can maximise your slope time or turn your head to the relaxed après scene for local Štruklji (dumplings) washed down with a shot of schnapps - Na zdravje!
When to go: The Slovenia ski season begins in December and lasts until April, with the heartiest snow dumps at the start of February. Christmas turns the resort into a mini winter wonderland with dazzling markets, twinkling decorations, and festive music. Or, to soak up bright bluebird days, book a trip in March to beat the crowds.
You’ll find our holidays more flexible than your average ski package provider, but a lot easier to put together than doing it all yourself. Choose where you want to go from thousands of options, travel the day you want, stay as long as you like.
For help finding a flexible ski holiday, call us on 0117 457 6000, email us at [email protected], or simply start a search.
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