The Best Places to Cycle in the French Alps

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The Best Places to Cycle in the French Alps

As temperatures increase and the snow melts, thrill seekers look for other ways to get their adrenaline rush in the mountains. Thanks to the millions of people across the globe watch the Tour de France pass through the region each year, the Alps has established itself as one of the greatest cycling locations in the world. We’ve shared some of the best places to cycle in the Alps to help you choose your cycling holiday destination.

When to Cycle in the Alps

Alps Cycling Season

Loved by skiers and cyclists alike, the Alps is a place with two distinct seasons. For half the year, during the winter months, most of the best climbs are covered with snow and ice and the low temperatures don’t make for a pleasant trip.

The cycling season in the Alps generally runs from mid-April to mid-October, although areas above 1,500m, such as the Col du Galibier, are usually open from Mid-May/June to September.

Weather

The Alps is a mountainous region and subject to variable weather, with temperature variations of up to 10C from one day to the next.

Generally, July and August are the driest months, with rainfall occurring in short, heavy afternoon storms.

Whilst June to August offer the highest temperatures, September is one of the best months for cycling in the Alps, with temperatures dropping slightly.

It is also worth noting that weather conditions at the foot of a climb may not be the same at the summit and conditions can rapidly change at any time of year. As a rule, temperatures fall by 6.5C per 1000m increase in altitude, although this difference can be much more dramatic.

Traffic

The Alps are a popular holiday destination, and with this popularity comes the associated traffic.

Traffic is at its peak from mid-July to the end of August, with the roads up to the highest or most famous passes the busiest.

Passing through the region in July each year, the Tour de France brings significant crowds. If you want to avoid this, visit a couple of weeks before or after the race.

Cycling Destinations in the Alps

The dramatic landscape of the Alps might make a spectacular cycling location, but it does cause some difficulty in getting from A to B.

We recommend these destinations as a base within each reach of the best mountain passes:

Annecy

A beautiful town next to a lake, Annecy is the perfect destination for those looking to explore lower or quieter climbs.

Climbs nearby: La Semnoz and Col de la Colombiere.

Getting there: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Annecy take approximately 45 minutes.

Bourg d’Oisans

A small town in the Romanche Valley, Bourg d’Oisans sits at the foot of Alpe d’Huez and is a popular option for cyclists visiting the area.

Climbs nearby: Alpe d’Huez, Col du Glandon, Col de Sarenne, Col du Galibier and Les Duex Alpes.

Getting there: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Bourg D’Oissans take approximately 2 hours 20 minutes.

Morzine

Situated at the foot of the Col du Joux Plane, Morzine is perfect for reaching iconic Tour de France climbs as well as popular mountain biking routes in the Portes du Soleil area.

Climbs nearby: Col du Joux, Col De Ramaz, Cole de la Joux Verte, Avoriaz and Col de la Ramaz.

Getting there: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Morzine take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne

Close to the capital of uphill cycling, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Saint Michel-de-Maurienne is the perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts.

Climbs nearby: Croix de Fer, Galibier, Glandon, Lacets de Montvernier and Madeleine.

Getting there: Transfers from Geneva Airport to Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne take approximately 1 hour 55 minutes.

The Best Climbs in the Alps

Alpe d’Huez

With views of over a fifth of France, Alpe d’Huez is one of the most iconic climbs in the French Alps. Featuring 21 hairpins and the famous ‘Dutch Corner’, this climb has featured in the Tour de France 28 times since 1952.

Length: 13.2km

Average gradient: 8.1%

Elevation gain: 1,071m

Lacets de Montvernier

Despite only being 277m high, Lacets de Montvernier is by no means an easy climb. Featuring 18 hairpin bends, this pass was made famous by the 2015 Tour de France when it captivated the world.

Length: 3.4km

Average gradient: 8.5%

Elevation gain: 277m

Col du Galibier

Scalable both the north and the south, Col du Galibier is ranked as hors catégorie (beyond category) by the Tour de France, making this not an option for the faint-hearted.

Length: 18.1km (from Valloire)

Average gradient: 6.9%

Elevation gain: 1,245m

Col de la Madeline

There are two ways to approach Madeline, each providing its own unique challenges. One of the toughest climbs, cyclists are rewarded with stunning views of Le Massif de la Lauziere and Mont Blanc.

South from La Chambre

Length: 19km

Average gradient: 8%

Elevation gain: 1,529m

North from Augueblanche

Length: 28.3km

Average gradient: 5.4%

Elevation gain: 1.540m

Col du Telegraphe

A gateway to the Galibier, Col du Telegraphe is consistent throughout its entire length, letting you find your rhythm in these magnificent surroundings.

Length: 11.8km

Average gradient: 7.8%

Elevation gain: 856m

We hope these incredible places to cycle in the Alps has helped to inspire your next cycling holiday.

If you’re planning a cycling holiday to the Alps, get an instant quote from Ski-Lifts. Ski-Lifts will provide hassle-free and reliable transfers from the airport to your cycling destination. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

10 Reasons you should go on a ski holiday to Canada

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10 Reasons you should go on a ski holiday to Canada

Stretching from the USA in the south, to the Arctic Circle in the north, Canada is the ultimate destination for a ski holiday. Combining vast areas of wilderness with bustling cosmopolitan cities, Canada offers huge variety with one of the most reliable snowfalls in the world.

If you are thinking about destinations for a winter break, here are 10 reasons why you go on a ski holiday in Canada:

10. The Snow

Snow is one of the main considerations for a winter ski holiday. The last thing you want to worry about after booking a ski holiday is if there is going to be enough snow to enjoy the slopes. A nation renowned for its snow, Canada offers quality and reliability.

Unlike some European resorts, Canada rarely has a poor snow year and Canmore received nearly 2 feet of snow in April 2017 alone! With a season spanning from mid-November to the end of May (even later if you count glacier skiing), there is plenty of time to take advantage of these snow-sure slopes.

9. Uncrowded

It’s never fun to spend half of your ski holiday waiting in long lines, only to then feel rushed when you do finally make it onto the slopes. If you want to spend your ski holiday skiing, then Canada is the destination for you.

The world’s second largest country by total area, Canada’s ski resorts benefit from a lack of crowds. Even on busy days, resorts are never overcrowded or have long lines and it is easy to find a quiet space thanks to the massive acreage offered.

Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest ski resort and transfers from Vancouver Airport to Whistler Blackcomb take approximately 2 hours.

8. Exceptional Service

Ski resorts in Canada provide outstanding service with a genuine smile. Apart from snow, Canada is also known for its friendliness and ski towns are filled with polite locals willing you to have a great time on your ski holiday. Providing the highest level of customer service with an infectious level of passion and enthusiasm, ski resorts in Canada provide exceptional service.

7. World-class Facilities

If the incredible snow wasn’t enough of a reason to visit Canada for a ski holiday, the incredible facilities certainly are!

With most resorts built-for-purpose, accommodation is of a great standard, with a lot being ski-in ski-out and on a larger scale than in Europe. The majority of villages are fully pedestrianised and there is a good range of restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets.

Modern, fast lifts transport you to perfectly groomed slopes and off-piste is easily accessible, giving you more powder snow!

Speaking of off-piste, unlike in Europe, everything inside the ski area boundary is patrolled and made safe by the resort. As long as the tree run or powder bowel is within the rope-marked boundary, you can ski wherever you want!

6. The Scenery

Any mountain covered in snow makes for a spectacular backdrop, but the National Parks in Canada are truly breathtaking.

The ski resorts blend perfectly with the astounding natural beauty and Elk and mountain goats are frequent visitors to Lake Louise.

With some of the world’s largest dark sky preserves, lucky skiers might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Banff, and a trip to the Banff Upper Hot Springs is a must!

5. Amazing Value

Although you might think of Canada as an expensive option, it couldn’t be further from the truth. When you consider the outstanding facilities and services offered, Canadian ski resorts offer incredible value for money.

Early bird deals are often available until the middle of November and offers such as free rentals are common.

4. Wide Variety

In addition to the incredible, world-class facilities on offer, many ski resorts cater to every level, from complete beginners to experts, children to adults.

Those looking for an adrenaline rush will be pleased to know that British Colombia is one of the world’s best locations for adventure activities, with ski resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb offering amazing heli-skiing options.

If you’re looking for something a little wilder, then Panorama is a great choice.

There are also plenty of things to do for non-skiers, with spas, shopping, hiking and other winter activities just some of the many things on offer.

3. Best Ski Schools

Whatever your ability, there is the perfect ski school for you. Canada has some of the best ski schools in the world and is an ideal place to learn or improve your skills on the snow. Benefit from small class sizes and instructors well trained in safety so you can truly take advantage of these incredible slopes.

2. No language barrier

Although it’s nice to immerse yourself in other cultures whilst travelling for a ski holiday, sometimes it makes things a bit easier if you speak a common language. Whether it be learning how to ski for the first time, finding out the best secret spots or in emergency situations, speaking the native language makes communicating much easier.

1. Bluebird powder days

One of the biggest reasons for visiting Canada for a ski holiday is bluebird powder days. Thanks to their Inland location, resorts like Banff boast some of the highest numbers of bluebird powder days. By the time snow has crossed the coastal ranges, snow is dry and light, giving clear skies, feathery light powder and the ultimate ski experience.

We hope this post has inspired you to have a ski holiday in Canada!

Don’t forget, if you’re planning a ski holiday to Canada, make sure you get an instant quote for your airport transfer from Calgary Airport or Vancouver Airport to the ski resort.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Best Ski Resorts for Beginners in Colorado

The Best Ski Resort for Beginners in Colorado

When you think of Colorado, you probably think of skiing. Home to the likes of Aspen and Vail, Colorado is known worldwide as one of the best ski holiday destinations. With over 30 ski areas currently in operation, it can be easy for beginners to feel intimidated. To help you make the most of this fantastic destination, we’ve shared the best ski areas for beginners in Colorado, all easily accessible by transfer from Eagle County Regional Airport and Denver International Airport.

Beaver Creek

The Resort

Owned by Vail Resorts, transfers from Denver Airport to Beaver Creek take just over 2 hours. The area has 1800 skiable areas, accessed by 25 lifts and sits at just over 8,000 feet above sea level. Although the resort hosts World Cup ski events, there are plenty of skiing opportunities for beginners. Beaver Creek also famous for handing out free, fresh cookies every day and is perfect for families.

Beginner Runs

Head to Bachelor Gulch and try runs such as Cabin Fever, Dally, Strawberry Pak and Intertwine. We also recommend trying Red Buffalo which sits at nearly 11,500 feet. Offering spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, the run is a wide, gentle slope, passing by a handful of glades such as Jack Rabbit Alley.

Après Ski

Beaver Creek offers world-class fine dining, with numerous dining experiences available. Many of the resort’s venues are smart lounge bars, but we recommend Coyote Café and the Mountainside Bar and Grill if you’re looking for something a bit livelier.

Breckenridge

The Resort

A high-altitude ski town, Breckenridge boasts a long season spanning from November to April. Around two hours away from Denver Airport, Breckenridge offers 2,908 acres on five different peaks. An old gold mining town, the ski town is one of the most visited in the western hemisphere.

Runs

Breckenridge boasts some of the best trails to learn on in western USA thanks to its wide-open spaces. We recommend trying Silverthorne, Red Rover and Twister. Frontier is also a great option and includes ski-through tepees and mines. Additionally, Springmeier is often marked as slow and family-friendly.

Après Ski

Breckenridge offers fantastic apres ski, with over 50 restaurants and bars located in the town centre. It has a permanent festive atmosphere thanks to Christmas lights and decorations remaining throughout the season. In addition, to the nightlife, Breckenridge has a reputation for its breweries and distilleries.

Keystone

The Resort

Just under 2 hours away from Denver Airport, Keystone Resort is made up of 3 connected mountains, complete with tree-runs. Spanning across 3,087 acres, Keystone offers 120 runs and more lighted trails than any other resort in Colorado. Known for being one of the most family-friendly resorts, there are lots of activities for both kids and adults.

Keystone Ski Resort, Colorado - Airport Transfers

Runs

With green runs conveniently located at the resort base and at the top of Dercum Mountain, Keystone is a great option for beginners. Lessons often take place on the Discover slope, with 50 easy runs to progress on to. We recommend trying Endeavor which begins just below the Summit House and Schoolmarm, which is a designated family ski zone.

Après Ski

Although night-life in Keystone is mainly family orientated, there is still plenty to keep everyone entertained. Activities such as sleigh rides, night skiing, tubing and ice skating are available for those looking for more adventure. River Run Village contains the majority of après ski bars, with Kickapoo Tavern and Northern Tavern offering a selection of locally micro-brewed beers.

Loveland

The Resort

Loveland Ski Area is a ski and snowboard paradise around 1 hour 30 minutes from Denver Airport. Receiving an average of 422 inches of snow annually, Loveland consists of 1570 acres with a base elevation of 10,800 feet. The area is home to the Loveland Derby, the largest and oldest ski race in North America. Featuring a season that runs from October to May, Loveland’s 93 trials offer something for people of all abilities.

Runs

There are plenty of facilities for beginners at Loveland, including a Magic Carpet. Lifts 1 -7 (including the Ptarmigan Lift) all lead to beginner runs, but we recommend trying Lift 3 and 7 first. Whilst Lift 7 only serves gentle green runs, Lift 3 offers progression to blue runs within a safe, contained area. It’s also worth noting that there are no free skiers crossing paths with lesson groups in Loveland basin.

Après Ski

Nightlife at Loveland is mute, but there are still options for those looking for entertainment after hitting the slope. The Loveland Basin offers Wedge bar or The Rathskeller, whilst the Loveland Valley boasts the Fireside Room.

Snowmass

The Resort

9 miles from downtown Aspen, Snowmass is one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Colorado. Located in the White River National Forest, Snowmass is part of the Aspen/ Snowmass complex, but offers a completely different personality. The biggest of the four Aspen/Snowmass mountains, the village was inspired by the French Alps and offers lots of ski-in/ski-out accommodation.

Runs

Beginners should head to Lowdown Park where there is a small halfpipe to experiment on. There are also multiple Fun Zones scattered across the mountain, and the Boot Camp Park on Fanny Hill is also recommended.

Après Ski

There’s so many apres ski options in Snowmass that it’s hard to narrow down our favourites. As a starting point, we recommend the new Belgium Ranger Station at the Westin Snowmass or Venga Venga on the Snowmass Mall. If you’re looking for a patio to relax on Sneaky’s and Base Camp are great options whilst the Bar at Wildwood is the perfect nightlife spot.

We hope you’ve found inspiration for your next ski holiday to Colorado. Don’t forget you can get an instant quote from Ski-Lifts for your transfer from Denver Airport to all the main Colorado ski resorts. Don’t forget we cover plenty of other resorts in Colorado, including; Aspen, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Vail.

Top Late-Season Ski Resorts in the Alps

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Top Late-Season Ski Resorts in the Alps

With Easter weekend just around the corner, the ski season is sadly entering its final weeks. Don’t worry though, whether you’re looking for your first ski trip of the year or want to hit the slopes one last time before the season’s out, there are plenty of late-season ski resorts in the Alps. To help you choose which one to head to, here are a few of our favourites:

Alps

5 – Zermatt

If you want a spring skiing destination that is certain to have snow for your late-season ski trip, Zermatt could be for you. One of Switerzland‘s most famous resorts, Zermatt offers up to 360 kilometres of prepared pistes giving you plenty of space to ride. Easily accessed via Geneva Airport, Zurich Airport or Milan Airport, it’s a great choice for families, intermediates and experts and features extensive off-piste, incredible mountain restaurants and a vibrant car-free town. Home to the highest cable car station in Europe, the resort has snowsure slopes on Gornergrat and Rothorn until mid-April, but the area on the Theodul Glacier is open all year round.

4 – Les Arcs

With 70% of the ski resort located above 2000m, Les Arcs, France is perfect for a late-season ski trip. Offering varied slopes both on and off-piste and some incredible woodland runs, its great for ending the winter season on a high. Thanks to its altitude, natural snow coverage is guaranteed until the end of the season with the Paradiski skiing area and Les Arcs/ Peisey-Vallandry ski area closing on 25th April. Paradiski is also fitted with the latest in high-performance artificial snow systems enabling links to be maintained right until closing.

3 – Val d’Isere

One of the most popular resorts in the Alps, Val d’Isere offers high-quality snowsure slopes until 3rd May. Ideal for families and experts alike, the town is as good as the terrain. With the pistes of Val and Tignes naturally linked, you can spend more time on the slopes than on the lifts. Although snow in Val D’Isere is extremely reliable, snow cover is guaranteed thanks to La Snow Factory, the largest artificial snowmaking facility in Europe. If you find you need even more time, you can even usually ski during June and July on the Pissaillas glacier.

2 – Ischgl

Despite not having a glacier, Ischgl, Austria has one of the longest winter seasons in the Alps. Close to both Innsbruck Airport and Zurich Airport, the resort is known for its amazing snow quality and bold apres-ski. Offering 238km of pistes served by 45 lifts, the slopes are best suited to intermediates that enjoy covering a lot of ground. Closing on 3rd May, the resort’s famous closing party, Top of the Mountain concerts are not to be missed and have even attracted the likes of Elton John, Bon Jovi and Mariah Carey.

1 – Val Thorens

The highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens, France is one of the best Alpine ski resorts for skiing in Spring. The highest resort in the sprawling 600-kilometre Three Valleys ski area, 99% of Val Thorens is situated above 2,000m guaranteeing snow until the end of the winter season on 3rd May. Featuring over 600km of runs, it’s the largest ski area in the world and benefits from the fastest lift systems in France. Suiting everyone from beginners to experts, Val Thorens remains the best place for one last run down the slopes.

We hope these suggestions have given you some inspiration for your late-season ski trip.

We Caught Up with Peter, The Winner of a Holiday to Morzine

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We caught up with Peter, the Winner of a Holiday to Morzine

After winning the World’s Best Transfer Operator at the World Ski Awards 2017 for the third year in a row, we decided to celebrate in style. To thank all our loyal customers, we decided to host our biggest giveaway yet; a holiday for 2 in Morzine, France. This incredible prize included:

Return flights from any UK airport to Geneva Airport
Return Airport Transfers from Geneva Airport to Chalet Zephyr courtesy of Ski-Lifts. Door-to-door transfer from the winner’s home to the airport was also offered if they lived in the London area.
7 nights catered accommodation at Chalet Zephyr, just outside Morzine, provided by Ski Cosy. This included a hearty breakfast with hot options, afternoon tea with delicious home-made cakes, canapes, and a 3-course meal with wine. In addition, there was a private shuttle service to and from the ski lifts, plus maid service.
Two 7-day Portes Du Soleil Lifts passes proved by the Mozine lift pass office.
Ski or Snowboard hire for the entire 7 days courtesy of Snowell
A pair of Panda Optic Funnel Black Ski Goggles provided of Panda Optics
Ski-lessons or guiding provided by Ski Podium so the winner could make the most of their trip.

With such an amazing prize, the giveaway generated a huge amount of interest. Although there could only be one winner of the free holiday for 2 to Morzine…

So who won the ski trip to Morzine? The lucky entrant was Peter Davis…

The holiday took place from 20^th January 2018 to 27^th January 2018 so, whilst he was recovering from his holiday, we caught up with Peter to find out how it went.

The Flights & Transfers

Peter and his lucky travel partner Jon flew directly from Manchester to Geneva Airport. The flights and transfers were provided by ourselves. The transfer from Geneva Airport to Morzine went smoothly, and Peter said that “the driver handled the dicey conditions without any fuss”.

The Chalet

Provided by Ski Cosy Chalets, Peter and Jon stayed at Chalet Zephyr for the entire 7 nights on a catered basis. When we talked about the Chalet, Peter said that he has “never experienced such great service” with the hosts providing “fantastic food”, advice and transport to the slopes. The pair made full use of the facilities, especially the pool table and hot tub, and were even treated to a log fire every night!

The Skis

Courtesy of Snowell, Peter and Jon had ski-hire arranged for their entire stay in Morzine. Describing his Rossignol skis as “diamond standard”, Peter said that the shop was conveniently located just 100m from the Pleney gondola and they were able to store their skis overnight for no extra cost.

The Goggles

Panda Optics kindly proved a pair of Panda Optics Funnel Goggles that proved to be perfect for Peter’s trip. The conditions in Morzine on the first day of the holiday were great, and Peter said, “the low light lenses on the Panda Optics Funnel Goggles were definitely needed”.

The Skiing

Courtesy of Ski Podium, Peter and Jon were booked in for a 3-hour lesson. Despite some wet conditions, Peter said that their instructor helped “make the whole skiing process seem simple”, and enjoyable because of “the great service” they received.

Luckily, Morzine experienced beautiful blue skies for the rest of the trip, letting Peter and Jon make the most of their 7-day Portes Du Soleil Lift passes, provided by the Morzine Lift Pass Office. Describing Avoriaz as “spectacular”, the pair tried to visit all the ski areas but “enjoyed some runs so much [they] just had to keep doing them!”. We don’t blame them!

It sounds like Peter and Jon had an amazing time in Morzine!

Once again, we’d like to thank everyone who entered our giveaway! Make sure you follow Ski-Lifts on Facebook & Twitter to hear about our next giveaway![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]