A Step-By-Step Guide to Planning & Booking A Ski Holiday
Ready to book a ski holiday? The process of planning and booking a ski holiday may feel like a lot of organisation. Admittedly, there are a few different elements to consider and what may initially feel like a mountain of different options when it comes to transport, accommodation and resort. But fear not, to make the process simple and stress free, we have broken down each stage of the process into 20 simple steps. So, whether you’re booking for family, a group of friends or both, check out this step-by-step guide to planning and booking a ski holiday for everything you need to know.
20 steps for booking a ski holiday
1. Determine your budget
Determining your budget is a great place to start when you decide it’s time to book a ski holiday. It’s also useful to consider value for money on things such as accommodation and lift passes. What may initially seem expensive in some resorts can often turn out to be great value for money when compared with seemingly ‘cheaper’ options. If you’re travelling as a family, you will of course need to consider your overall budget. However, if travelling as individuals in a group of friends, consider how the overall price breaks down across the group, as you may often find this is a great way to save when travelling in larger groups.
2. Determine who is going
Deciding who you’re going to be hitting the slopes with is another important thing to consider. As mentioned, when travelling in larger groups, you may often find that the cost of the holiday is reduced per person. For more on this and other ways to book a more affordable ski holiday, check out our guide
3. Decide on your destination
When considering your destination, there are a few things it’s useful to consider. Firstly, of course, the skiing. Secondly, it’s always useful to consider the ability of the people within your group and if everyone will be skiing. Choosing a resort where there’s something for everyone ensures that all abilities will have a great week and even those who aren’t skiing have a holiday to remember.
Here in Meribel, each member of the group will be spoilt for choice when it comes to slopes the range of slopes accessible across the 600km Three Valleys ski area with a number of areas dedicated just for beginners allowing those who need to build their confidence to do so in a their own time and space. There’s also a whole host of activities for non-skiers.
Things such as travel and transfer times can also be a big deciding factor for some groups.
In addition to these key points, consider what you would like to be doing when you’re not on the slopes. Whether you’re planning to hit up apres bars, check out the shops or enjoy local restaurants, it’s useful to check out what’s on offer aside from the skiing.
We may be biassed but if you ask us, Meribel tends to tick most of the boxes when it comes to choosing the perfect resort. From quick and easy transfers to a picturesque town centre bustling with charming shops and local restaurants and not to mention a world class apres scene. To learn more about Meribel as a whole, check out our complete guide and if you’d like to know more about travelling to Meribel, we have a guide for that too!
4. Choose your travel dates
When to travel is another key point to think about when planning your ski holidays. If travelling with children, you may of course need to stick to the school holidays. Whereas if you’re travelling with younger kids or just as a group of adults, you will have a little more freedom. Let’s take a look at each month…
Skiing In December
Skiing in early December not only means you don’t have to wait so long to hit the slopes, but when you do, you’ll have the huge advantage of enjoying the quieter slopes and fresh snow.
In late December, there’s nothing quite like skiing over the Christmas period. Not only do you have the excitement of a white Christmas but you will also enjoy the feeling of Christmas cheer both around the resort and on the slopes. Expect to see skiing santa and his elves as your fellow holidaymakers bring the Christmas cheer to the piste.
In Meribel, you can also expect an array of festivities on Christmas Eve including a Christmas parade, carol singing and a torch light procession at La Chaudanne.
New Year’s week in Meribel is an equally magical time. There’s few better ways to ring in the New Year than by the roaring fire after a big day on the slopes with family and friends.
Skiing In January
Needless to say, skiing in January is a sure way to beat the dreaded January blues. You will also again have the opportunity to make the most of the near-empty slopes as children and their parents return to work and school.
In Meribel you can expect a mixture of sunny and snowy days, with an average of 12 days snowfall. It’s the ultimate time to explore the 600km of connected ski area across The Three Valleys with virtually no queues. Plus, the added bonus of a complimentary Meribel Valley lift pass when you stay with us at Ski Basics during weeks commencing 7th and 14th January 2024. Learn more and take a look at our remaining availability here.
Skiing In February
February is a popular time for family ski holidays due to February half term, meaning the slopes are noticeably busier at this time. In Meribel, you expect a whole load of fun and entertainment for kids, in addition to blue skies and great conditions. For these reasons, it’s often seen as one of the best times for a family ski trip.
To make things even better, Meribel is often blessed with an abundance of snowfall during February. Historically speaking, we have enjoyed an average of 11 days snowfall mixed with sunny bluebird days.
Later on in February once children have returned to school, a real feeling of spring is in the air with longer days and afternoons spent soaking up the sunshine.
Skiing In March
By March spring skiing is fully underway, making it another popular time to hit the slopes. In spite of its popularity, as Children will have returned to school, during March you can expect relatively quiet slopes and little to no queues on ski lifts.
In Meribel, not only will you make the most of longer days and milder temperatures, but you can also still expect an average of 11 days snowfall meaning the slopes will be in perfect condition for long days enjoying the sunshine.
For those looking to enjoy a vibrant apres scene, March in Meribel is sure to be the time for you. With a whole host of apres events and live music festivals including the 5 day “Ronnie loves Music” festival, you’re sure to have a trip to remember.
Skiing In April
The Easter holidays mean April is another popular time for family ski holidays. It’s also the ideal time for a slower paced trip with early starts and late, long lunches in the sun. The fantastic weather often means the party scene continues on from March with warm, blue skied afternoons ideal for apres on the terrace. However, don’t be put off by the sunshine and warmer temperatures! Here in Meribel you can still expect an average of 10 days snowfall, meaning powder days are still very much on the cards!
5. Research Ski Resorts
Researching and comparing different resorts is always recommended. Once you have an idea of what your ideal ski holiday looks like in terms of activities, you can select the resort best for your needs.
Aside from transfer times, altitude and snowfall, you will likely want to consider accessibility to the slopes, the size of the ski area itself and also infrastructure such as ski lifts and snow cannons, in the event of lesser snowfall.
Choosing a ski resort with varied pistes suitable for all abilities and types of skiing is also something to look out for.
6. Find suitable accommodation
When you book a ski holiday, finding the right accommodation can often feel like one of the most challenging parts of the process. From hotels to apartments and chalets, not to mention different catering options, it can often seem like there’s just too many options to consider! The right option for you will be influenced by a number of variables including the people you’re travelling with as well as your budget.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be difficult! Choosing the best accommodation for you can actually be a very easy process.
Here’s a few key things to consider:
Space and flexibility
Whilst you’re very unlikely to spend much time in your bedroom on a ski holiday, the importance you place on having your own space and flexibility will help determine if a hotel or chalet is the option for you.
A chalet will allow you maximum privacy and flexibility to make the space your own. Chalets can be particularly well suited to families who would like space for kids and also groups, who would like to socialise all together in their own space of an evening.
Distance to the slopes
The distance to the slopes is an important variable for most groups and the ease of getting to and from each day can have a real impact on your overall holiday. Long travel times to the slopes can become a real drag, particularly if you’re travelling with the whole family.
Catered or self-catered
Whether you would like meals included or if you prefer to cater for yourself can also have a large influence on the accommodation you go for. This can often also have a fair impact on the overall price of your trip. However, people are commonly surprised to learn that opting for a catered service can often work out better value for money than self-catered, particularly if you will be eating out in local restaurants. Even when cooking at home back at your accommodation, the price of food and drinks in ski resorts can often be higher than you would expect to pay at home.
Many companies, like us at Ski Basics, offer a range of different experiences allowing guests the freedom to choose the service that best suits them. Learn more about our 3 different Ski Basics experiences here. From self-catered to our much loved classic experience and our Plus+ experience, each or our services are designed to provide guests with an unforgettable experience that won’t cost the earth.
If you’re already familiar with our services, why not take a look at our range of beautiful chalets, each with their own charming features and ideally located just a short distance from the slopes.
7. Get your travel sorted & booked
The next step when booking a ski holiday is organising how you’ll get there. Depending on where you’re travelling to, that may include a plane, car or train.
If, like most people, you decide to travel by plane ( likely one a little bigger than this) then you will also need to consider booking your transfers to and from the airport. If you’re travelling by car then you will need to decide whether to travel via the eurotunnel or by boat.
If you’re heading to Meribel, take a look at our guide on travelling to Meribel for everything you need to know!
8. Check your travel documents are in order
Next, ensure that you have all your required travel documents and organise anything additional such as visas. Don’t forget to double check that each member of the group’s passport is within date and has the required amount of time before expiry to travel.
It’s always best to check your government website for the latest information and advice on travelling to and from your chosen destination.
9. Reserve equipment
Next up, your ski and snowboard equipment! If you’re hiring your equipment, it’s best to get it sorted when you book your ski holiday. This way, you can rest easy knowing everything’s taken care of and focus on looking forward to the trip.
Most resorts will have a few different hire shops to choose from and your travel or accommodation provider will usually be able to recommend the best choice for your group. If not, it’s always advisable to check out online reviews when deciding which rental shop to go for.
Here in Meribel there are a number of well recommended hire shops to choose from and when staying with us, you can receive exclusive discounts at some of the best shops in town. Head over to our ski hire page to learn more.
If you’re unsure whether or not you’d like to buy your own ski equipment instead, why not check out our blog – Buying vs Renting your ski equipment.
10. Purchase your lift passes
Purchasing your lift passes ahead of arriving in resort not only means you don’t have to worry about it on arrival, but it can also be a great way to save.
Be sure to check out any offers including discounted prices for children, seniors or when booking as family.
If you’re staying with us at Ski Basics, simply pre-order your ski passes online through the MySkiBasics portal and save £20 per person. We will then deliver you passes to the chalet for your arrival.
11. Book your ski lessons
Once you’ve got your lift passes sorted, it’s time to think about your ski lessons. Advance booking will ensure you maximise your chances of getting your preferred lesson time and is always advisable during peak periods such as school holidays.
As with ski hire, each resort will likely have a number of different ski schools to choose from and it’s always worth asking your travel or accommodation provider for any recommendations. At Ski Basics, we work closely with a number of the local ski schools and you can learn more about each of the recommended companies over on our ski school page.
12. Get insured
Another very important step when it comes to planning your ski holiday is buying your insurance. Whilst ski holidays are of course all about fun, being aware of the potential risk and preparing for any accidents is always advised.
If you have an existing holiday insurance policy, you should always double check that it covers winter sports and if not, amend the policy or take out a new one that does.
If you’re staying with us at Ski Basics, you can learn more about ensuring you have the right holiday cover over on our winter sports insurance page.
13. Plan & book other activities and restaurants
Aside from your time skiing and snowboarding, you may want to get out and explore other activities on offer. Checking out other available activities online is a great place to start or your travel provider will likely be able to share more information on this.
Here in Meribel, there is a vast array of different activities to enjoy both on and off the slopes and for both skiers and non-skiers. Learn more about things to do in Meribel here.
When it comes to local restaurants in Meribel, you will again be spoilt for choice both on and off the mountain. Check out our blog on the best restaurants in Meribel for the perfect lunchtime pit stop or simply speak to your chalet manager who will be on hand to recommend the ideal spot for you and your group as well as, make any reservations you require.
14. Determine what you need pack and buy what you need
Thinking about what you’ll need to pack and buying what you need is another great way to ensure things run smoothly when the time comes to head for the slopes.
Check out our guide on packing for a ski holiday, including a downloadable list, for everything you’ll need!
15. Exchange your currency
Exchanging money at home in the UK is a goldie oldie when it comes to ensuring you get the best exchange rate possible. Secondly, almost all outlets (even in the mountains) now accept card payment, with some having even gone cashless! So taking the time to open a travel friendly bank account such as Monzo or simply a pre-paid travel card that will not incur any overseas charges is another easy way to ensure you get the most for your money when skiing.
16. Pre-holiday fitness and exercise
Whilst it may not be a requirement planning and booking your ski holiday, ensuring you’re limbered and ready to hit the slopes is always advisable! The intensity of your ski holiday will of course be determined by you, but even a short day on the slopes can fire up muscles that you may not use in day to day life. So, it’s always recommended to prepare if you can.
Why not check out our blog on Ski Exercises to Prepare for your Ski Holiday for tips on the best exercises to get you primed and ready!
17. Check the weather forecast
Checking the weather forecast is a great way to build excitement for the trip, not that you’ll need any help!
It can also be helpful in planning a rough schedule for your week. For example, the best day to head out on a long distance ski or head for apres on a sun soaked terrace.
Great sites for keeping an eye on the weather include Snow Forecast.com and Accuweather.
Extra steps for booking a family ski holiday
18. Sort and book childcare
Holidays are precious, and it’s important for you to be able to relax and have some time for yourselves, as well as time together as a family. Many ski resorts will have local childcare services available and looking into this can be a great way to ensure the adults have some time to themselves too.
We would always recommend organising this as early as you can to avoid disappointment, particularly during peak periods such as school holidays.
At Ski Basics, we work with a small selection of the most reputable child care services to help you find the most suitable child care option for you and your family.
To learn more about childcare services as well as kids ski schools and how our own chalet staff will be on hand to make the kids at home, head over to our childrens page.
19. Consider school holidays
Each of the school holiday periods has its own advantages when it comes to a family ski holiday.
Christmas and New Year come with the added bonus of a little Christmas magic and extra special family time. The slopes are often quieter than other school holidays such as February half term. However, these two weeks can tend to be more expensive than others.
February Half Term is often the most popular choice. Here you will also have the added bonus of increased sun combined with snowfall as well as lots of fun activities planned for the kids in Meribel. However, due to its popularity, it’s usually a busy time on the slopes so it’s useful to consider heading to a resort with a large ski area and advanced lift system to avoid lengthy queues and congested slopes.
The Easter Holidays tend to be the most reasonably priced school holidays of the winter season. Here you can usually count on long sunny days to be enjoyed with the family. Again, it’s often a fairly busy time in most resorts, so it’s useful to bear this in mind when choosing your resort.
20. Pack some games / activities
Packing some activities and games for the kids is a good way to ensure the adults have some time to themselves too! As the day is drawing to a close and snowball fights have finished for the day, a few simple games or a story by the fire is a great way to round things off before bed.
If you’re staying with us at Ski Basics, save that valuable space in your luggage by letting us know you’d like some activities for the kids and we can provide them for you.
Ready to get booking?
Now you’ve gone through our step-by-step guide to planning and booking a ski holiday, it’s time to get your ski holiday booked and get excited!
In summary, we would always recommend getting things organised as soon as you can. Planning a ski holiday can take a little bit of time if you’re travelling with multiple families or a group of friends, so it’s best to start early to ensure you bag the best holiday for you.
Ready to get going? Why not take a look at our chalets and remaining availability for this ski season now. Got a question? Get in touch and a member of the team will be pleased to hear from you!