Steps on Planning an Amazing Ski Trip in the Alps

Whether you love to ski or you love to visit destinations with unrealistic expectations, anyone would love to visit the highest and most extended mountain range in Europe, the Alps. These mountains stretch across seven alpine countries and are very popular for their alpine lakes like Lake Geneva, Lake Constance, and Lake Como. So much so that it attracts over 100 million tourists from all over the world. Switzerland and Austria are notably higher on people’s bucket lists for their Alps and gorgeous landscapes. However, most tourists struggle with planning a ski trip and preparing ahead of time. So if you are struggling to plan a ski trip to the Alps, then keep reading.

Select a Destination

Before getting all your affairs in order, you must decide which part of the Alps you want to visit. As mentioned before, we know that the Bottom of the Alps lies across seven countries, namely, France, Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. You must choose which of these you want to visit after conducting thorough research. You need to consider the surroundings, climate, cuisine, activities you want to try, etc. For instance, if you are looking for a family-friendly scene then you might choose Morzine, advanced skiers will opt for Verbier, and for all the foodies out there St. Anton is your calling card. After deciding on the destination, you can now decide which ski resort you want to visit. 

Select the Best Ski Resort

The next step in planning is choosing the perfect ski resort that fits your dream vacation. Your choice of ski resort will define how much and what kind of fun you will be having. Now your decision could vary based on your preferences, expertise, and again, activities you want to try.

There are some things that should be considered before choosing a ski resort for your trip, which are, whether you want Aprés Ski entertainment, a lively after-ski party scene; or will any child be joining your trip; what is the Ski level of your company; are you on a tight budget; etc.

Select an Accommodation

Accommodation is a very crucial part of any trip, no matter how long or short they are. This step comes after you have selected a resort and organised your travel dates. The options for accommodation are abundant, with their types varying in terms of size, capacity, budget, etc.

Some of the most common types of accommodations during a ski trip in the Alps feature ski chalets which are self-catered and exude beach holiday experience, a ski hotel which gives off a more relaxed holiday vibe, or a “ski in ski out” apartment which are at close proximity to the slopes so you can just step out of the house with you skiing gear and take a ride along the snowy mountains.

Flight Booking

Anyone familiar with flight ticket booking knows the importance of early booking. The earlier you book your tickets the cheaper they will be. On the other hand the closer you move to the actual day of flying, the higher the rates rise. And some people cannot even comprehend the last-minute international flight fares.

This is a great way to save up a lot of money, so you can enjoy splurging on other things you want to do during a vacation. One possible method is Price Freezing, an app or system you can use to freeze the fare rate for a certain period of time, which gives you some time to come to a conclusive decision. Another yet harder way would be to scout multiple airlines for the best deal for you. Remember to book your flights at least 2 months before the actual departing date.

Buy the Essentials

Going on a skiing trip can be very unpleasant if you are not fully prepared for what awaits you. You may not always find a replacement for some essentials at the destinations. Especially, on a trip to the Alps where the weather and situations can be very unpredictable sometimes. So as a precautionary measure, it is important that you do not forget to buy and pack these items beforehand, whether it is your first ski trip or not.

Take your skis as an example, if you are a seasonal skier and have been using the same skis for the past couple of years, then chances are that your skis have seen better days and are probably worn out. So an investment towards a new pair should be expected, or you can also get your old ones serviced. And if this is your first time, then you should find a pair of beginner-friendly skis. Other important essentials for a ski trip include some travel-sized toiletries, accessories like sunglasses or hats, thermal underwear, fleece jacket or wool long-sleeve top, ski socks, ski jacket, ski pants or salopettes, gloves or mittens, helmet, ski goggles, neck gaiter or balaclava, etc.

Prepare Yourself Physically

While putting together plans for any kind of trip, travellers often overlook the importance of preparing themselves mentally and physically. When it comes to trips involving an activity like Skiing, hiking or swimming, you better brace yourself for a lot of intense physical movements. And we don’t have to tell you how exhausting a ski trip in the Alps can be.

As we all know skiing involves a strong core muscle to help you with balancing your body on a ski board while you are jetting down a snowy terrain so you can come out of it uninjured. However, many fail to understand the importance of training your body’s core before going skiing to avoid ending up with back aches, leg strains or knee pains. So you should start exercising with movements that can help improve your cardiovascular fitness at least 3-4 times a week from the day you book your flight.

Arrange Your Travel Documents

If there is one thing that can go wrong and absolutely screw up even the most well-planned vacation is not having all your travel documents in order. There have been plenty of movie scenes depicting a character desperately looking for their tickets or passport while a long line of passengers is waiting in line. So let’s make sure we don’t reenact those situations in real life.

You should keep your passport, tickets and boarding passes on hand 12 hours before the flight. Be mindful of the expiry date on both your Passport and Visa. Many countries have an entry requirement where you must have at least six months on your Passport. Not checking in advance can cost you the entire trip. In the case of online documents, download them before going to the airport to avoid the risk of a faulty internet connection. Also, it is crucial to get travel insurance in case you run into an unfortunate situation.

We hope this article can give you guidance on how one can perfectly plan a ski Trip in the Alps. So if you also want help in planning a ski trip, then book your flight today from NCL Tours.