Last Minute Ski Weekends
Interested in a ski weekend in the Alps? Whether you’re thinking of a skiing trip for Christmas or the February half term, you’ll find all the best deals for cheap ski weekends with skiing-deals.co.uk.
Cheap Ski Weekends
We know that planning holidays can be tiring and stressful – and that’s why we’ve researched the best resorts for ski weekends to save you time and hassle.
Ski Weekends
What makes an ideal resort for cheap ski weekends?
Before booking last minute ski weekends, it’s important to think about how you’ll get to the resort. If you’re not hiring a car, choose somewhere with a good public transport network and easy access to the nearest international airport. If you do hire a car, make sure your accommodation has parking facilities – although remember that some ski resorts are car free.
Once you arrive, make use of your resort's cable car system so you can access different slopes and return to your accommodation anytime during the day. This may include chairlifts, Funitels or gondola systems – and these can carry between 3,000 and 4,000 passengers per hour. Fortunately, the single-person chairlifts that you might remember from old films are much less common now, so you'll usually be able to board with everyone else in your family or group.
What type of ski resort do you want?
Think about what type of skiing you’re after. Some resorts will cater for beginners and intermediates, while others will attract more-advanced or professional skiers.
Would you prefer ski weekends at a party resort, or somewhere off the beaten track? You’ll find busy, nightlife-themed resorts and quieter alternatives across the Alps, although the Austrian resorts tend to be somewhat smaller and more traditional.
With regard to dining, in the French Alps, you can enjoy delicacies like raclette cheese and brioche, while the Austrian Alps is acclaimed for its sweet pancakes and Apple Strudel.
Why you can get a big bargain by booking last minute ski weekends.
It’s often possible to get significant discounts by booking ski weekends at the last minute. This is because many hotels and self-catering apartments may not get fully booked, so to fill more rooms they may need to reduce their prices to attract more customers. It’s often cheaper to book a hotel and flight package, although check the flight details carefully to make sure the airport and flight times are convenient for you.
Bear in mind that the ski season in the Alps lasts from about mid December to the end of April, depending on snow cover and the altitude of the resort.
Ski weekends in La Rosière
This sunny and sublime ski resort in the Savoie department of the French Alps is very family friendly thanks to its nursery slopes where children can learn to ski safely. Next to the Italian border, it includes a traditional alpine community and about 100 miles of pistes, although extra slopes and chairlifts were created for the 2018-2019 season.
This is a great base for cheap ski weekends if you're looking for something more low-key than France's party resorts. You'll find various bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a relaxing evening after a long day out on the slopes. Plus, because La Rosière doesn't have as much tourist accommodation as neighbouring resorts, pistes here are usually not busy, so it's a less intimidating environment if you're a beginner or intermediate skier.
Last minute ski weekends in Chamonix
No one could talk about skiing in France without mentioning Chamonix. One of Europe’s most famous skiing areas, it’s dominated by the 4,807-metre Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. In fact, the Chamonix district covers five luxury ski resorts – and includes some of the most challenging off-piste powder in the Alps. A big attraction here is the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car, which will transport you to 3,842 metres above sea level – the closest you can get to Mont Blanc without having to hike there yourself.
Cheap ski weekends at Flaine
In the Haute Savoie area of the French Alps lies Flaine, an historic resort where you can find pistes for skiers of all levels of experience. The Grand Massif resort has the world's first 8-seated high-speed chairlift, known as Led Grands Vans, and offers about 165 miles of beautifully maintained pistes. It benefits from some of the highest snowfall totals in the Alps, and you can find all the ski lifts, shops and bars you’ll need just moments from your accommodation. Flaine is also a car-free resort but can be easily reached via a bus or shuttlebus.
Ski Weekends Austria
Probably the most popular ski resort in the Austrian Alps is Soll, a family-friendly gateway village with more than 170 miles of pistes that are well suited to beginners or intermediate skiers. Then there’s the winter sports hub and former Winter Olympics host city Innsbruck, another ideal base for skiing breaks thanks to its easy access to over 300 miles of trails in 25 nearby resorts. You’ll also find dozens of other ski resorts throughout the Austrian Alps, from romantic Kitzbuhel with its downhill ski races to the après-ski hub of Saalbach and the party resort of Ischgl.
Ski Weekends France
The French Alps offer everything from authentic Alpine retreats like medieval Megève, to the globally renowned resorts of Les Trois Vallées, the world's largest skiing area. While the French Alps is known for its luxury resorts like aforementioned Chamonix, you can also find budget friendly options in Les Houches, which is just six kilometres away. Quieter and more secluded than its glitzy neighbour, it has plenty of decent ski runs with spectacular views of Mont Blanc.
All Inclusive Ski Weekends
Going on Last minute ski weekends in the Alps is a great way to combine leisure and relaxation. You’ll enjoy stunning scenery while also getting a full-body workout from all those hours on the slopes. After sunset, treat yourself to a delicious alpine meal and make the most of the après-ski scene. Whether you prefer a quiet drink at a cosy bar, or a night on the dancefloor, you’ll find a great choice of resorts for different tastes.