Plan Your Ski Holiday in 4 Easy Steps

Planning a ski trip can be an exciting yet daunting task; after all, excitement and anxiety are two sides of the same coin.

If you've been given the lead booker role, then choosing the right resort, booking your accommodation, and figuring out if people can fly from different airports feels like a logistical nightmare.

But the good news? It doesn't have to be complicated.

Just follow my step-by-step guide on exactly how to do the above, and you'll master ski trip planning like a travel agent in no time.

Step 1: Choose Your Destination and Dates

The foundation of any great ski trip starts with thinking about when and where to go. These decisions will shape everything else.

Things to consider:

• Resort/ Ski area? What specific holiday type are you looking at. Is your group purely focused on skiing or do you prefer nightlife, spa facilities, and nice food? Some resorts are purpose-built ski towns with excellent apres, whereas others are far more designed around skiing itself. Ski area - Small, Large, or beginner focused?
• Country - In France, the standard transfer day for ski trips and holiday accommodations is Saturday, while in Italy it's Sunday. I personally prefer Italy's Sunday transfer day for several reasons. Firstly, arriving on Sunday means your first day on the slopes is Monday, when the pistes are typically much quieter than weekends, giving you plenty of space to ease back into skiing and find your rhythm. Secondly, it spreads your nights out more evenly across the week—you can enjoy midweek après-ski on Wednesday, which is usually the most lively due to the chalet hosts' day off and then have a proper last night celebration on Saturday before departing Sunday morning, without sacrificing a ski day due to a hangover. 

Pro Tip- In france all resorts have GREEN beginner-friendly runs back into the resort centre, to make it accessible to all. This is definitely not the same for other countries.

• Budget (Price range) -  Giving out a rough ballpark figure of trip costs to your friends straight away helps to set expectations on the trip expenses and figure out who is willing to commit.  
• Group Size-  Getting to grips with the number of children and adults (ages and ability) will be highly advantageous, when talking through hotel rooming options with all tour operators. It will save lots of time and energy for all parties involved. For example, Triple rooms for groups of three are far more common in Italian hotels than in French ones, eliminating the costly single occupancy fee that some hotels charge.
• Date(s)? Timing matters more than you think. Early season (December) often has limited lifts open and unpredictable snow, but this makes for a very good value trip in the lead up to Christmas. Mid-season (January through February) typically offers the best snow conditions but also the biggest crowds and highest prices. Late season (March and April) can be the sweet spot with better weather, decent snow, and fewer people, plus highly discounted rates. 

Step 2: Book Flights and Accommodation Early

Once you know when and where you're going, lock in your flights and accommodation. This is not the time to procrastinate on ski town accommodations; book up fast, especially during peak season and holidays. And flights usually only increase in price.

Things to consider:

• Location- Ski-in and ski-out accommodation maximises your time on the mountain. Whereas, village locations put you within walking distance of restaurants and shops. Off-mountain options might require driving or shuttle buses, but often cost significantly less.
• Board Basis- Hotels offer convenience and amenities like daily housekeeping and on-site restaurants. Apartments provide more space and kitchens, which can save money on meals. Chalet rentals can be perfect for larger groups who want a home base or smaller groups who are willing to share and meet like-minded people. Some resorts also offer hostels, which work really well for solo travellers or those on tight budgets.
• Package deals or a DIY trip? 

  Ski package holidays offer excellent value by bundling accommodation, flights, and transfers as standard. Many deals also include extras like equipment rentals, ski pass bundles, lessons, or dining vouchers—potentially saving you hundreds of pounds compared to booking everything separately.

  The highest hidden cost that catches people out? Private transfers. Getting from the airport to your resort typically costs £700+ for an 8-seater minivan. Package holidays sidestep this expense entirely by including coach transfers as standard, making them a smart choice for budget-conscious skiers. That said, some resorts are accessible by public transport, which can keep costs down if you're going the DIY route. Just make sure you do your research and leave plenty of time to make connections.

  A cautionary tale: I once flew into Geneva to visit a friend working in Morzine. I was staying in a hostel to keep costs down, but things didn't go to plan. When I arrived the last train had departed, and every transfer company had signs saying they don't take walk-up bookings. With no other option, I had to take an Uber from Geneva to Morzine—landing me with an unbudgeted £200 arrival fee! Lesson learned: always book your transfers in advance, or fly to a resort that offers lots of public transport connections.

• Mutiple depature airport (s)? 

  When choosing your departure airport, don't just focus on the flight price. Factor in parking fees, your travel time to the airport, and the transfer duration from your arrival airport to the resort. Sometimes, a slightly more expensive flight from your local airport works out cheaper and far less stressful overall.

  Top tip: Some package holiday providers allow passengers in the same booking to fly from different airports—perfect if your group is scattered across the country. Inghams and Huski (formerly Erna Low) offer this flexibility, though with Crystal Ski, all passengers must depart from the same airport. Worth checking if you're trying to accommodate friends or family travelling from different regions.

Step 3: Sort out your Kit

You don't need to own everything to have a great ski trip, but you do need to plan ahead so you're not scrambling at the last minute.

• Rent or buy? If you ski once or twice a year, renting makes more financial sense. If you're going multiple times per season or skiing regularly, investing in your own gear pays off. Boots are the one exception; many regular skiers buy their own boots for the custom fit but continue renting skis.
• Should I pre-book rental equipment? Don't wait until you arrive at the resort. Book online before your trip for better selection, guaranteed availability, and often lower prices. Most rental shops let you pick up gear the night before, so you can hit the slopes first thing in the morning. 
• What essentials should you own? Even if you are renting skis and boots, you should invest in your own helmet (safety and hygiene), goggles, warm moisture-wicking layers, waterproof gloves and ski socks. These items don't take up much space, last for years, and make a huge difference in your comfort.
• Don't forget the little things! Sunscreen with high UVA rating (the sun reflects off snow and you will end up with a goggle tan), lip balm, and a small backpack for water and snacks. A buff or neck gaiter protects your face on freezing lift rides is also essential. Download the resort's app for real-time lift status and piste maps.

Step 4: Get Your Lift Tickets and Plan Lessons

Lift pass prices are set rates throughout the season based on your departure date, so whenever you book, the price won't vary much. However, booking in advance has its advantages—if you're with a tour operator, they can hand you your pass on the coach rather than you having to locate the nearest lift pass office upon arrival. That said, many resorts do offer early-bird specials or family rates, so it's worth checking for these deals.

Consider opting for a multi-day pass rather than buying day-by-day. The per-day cost drops significantly when you purchase 3, 4, or 5-day passes. If you're staying at one resort for your entire trip, look into their season pass options—sometimes a season pass actually costs less than four individual lift tickets.

If you need lessons, book them in advance. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your technique, professional instruction makes a huge difference. Group lessons are affordable and social, while private lessons cost more but provide personalised attention. 

Pro Tip- The best- priced lessons  across all resorts are through Alpy.com 

And if you're new to skiing, don't skip the lesson. You'll progress faster, ski more safely, and enjoy yourself far more with proper instruction from the start, rather than developing bad habits you'll need to unlearn later. Also, make sure to prepare physically the mountain will humble you if you show up unprepared like I did!

You're Ready to Go
Plannng a ski trip doesn't have to be complicated. Choose your destination thoughtfully, book early, sort out gear and tickets in advance, and prepare your body for the physical demands. Follow these four steps, and you'll spend less time stressing about logistics and more time doing what you came for: enjoying the mountain. Now stop reading blog posts and start booking that trip. The slopes are waiting.