Choosing an Alpine ski resort can be challenging – especially for those who have never hit the slopes before. What should you look for making your choice? How can you be sure that your choice is the right one for your needs? What should you avoid?
How to Choose an Alpine Ski Resort
To help make the search a little easier, we have a few tips that will help you pick just the right Alpine ski resort for an unforgettable holiday in the Alps. Some things to consider when selecting your Alpine ski resort include the following:
Location
The first step is to decide where within The Alps you want to be based. Spanning across Europe, this region incorporates Italy, France and Switzerland. The skiing in all areas differs slightly. Experienced skiers may have preferences, but beginners and those who have minimal experience will be able to enjoy excellent skiing in all regions. The simplest way to decide which location is best is to consider your needs, experience level and your overall preferences. You could also make your decision by focusing on the resorts themselves rather than the specific location.
Grading
That brings us to our next point. While grading is a good way to determine the level of quality you can expect, it is not the only thing that you should consider. We suggest looking for resorts that are anything from 3 to 4-star in grading. Don’t assume that only 5-star resorts will be able to cater to your needs. There are many excellent 4-star resorts in the Alps, including Club Med Val Thorens Sensations, Club Med Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon and Club Med Val D’Isere in the French Alps, and Club Med Cervinia between Italy and Switzerland. Regardless of grading, look at the list of facilities when making your selection, and don’t forget to look for all-inclusive resorts that incorporate flights, accommodation and other costs.
Activities
Another way to choose your dream ski resort is to consider the available activities on offer. Most good resorts will offer a combination of on and off-piste activities for adults and children. Some resorts may cater more to adults, while others may have plenty for little ones to do. Look at the ski experiences, but also consider apres ski activities as well as specific activities that may interest you or your family. By far, this is the most effective way to finalise your choice as it allows you to plan a ski break that you will genuinely enjoy. If you focus on location and grading without considering activities, you may end up having far less fun during your stay than you may have had if you’d taken activities into account.
View our guide to finding the right ski resort for even more tips on what to consider when searching for the ideal Alpine ski resort.
