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Where is The Snow?

Which resorts have snow already? Which don’t? Where’s opened early?

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Tignes

Tignes is always one of the first French resorts to open first.  It’s clear to see why this season especially.  Conditions early on in the season are looking brilliant.  Our very own Financial Controller, Fran has been up in the mountains this past week and the words from his mouth are “there’s so much snow and barely anyone here, so there are no queues for the lifts”.  What more could you possibly ask for?!

With 33/77 lifts already open and ongoing temperatures of below -10 degrees, Tignes seems like the perfect choice for some early season skiing/snowboarding.

Avoriaz

Unfortunately, being based in Manchester, we get slightly envious when our colleagues based in Morzine send us pictures of them enjoying the glorious snow in Avoriaz. Due to the great early season conditions in Avoriaz, this Portes du Soleil resort is due to open for the weekend of the 2nd-3rd and 9th-10th December (if you fancy a last minute weekend away, here’s a great excuse!) With the entire Avoriaz ski sector opening fully on the 15th December. Avoriaz is a fantastic resort and we’re extremely pleased (if not slightly envious that we won’t be there) to see it’s opening early.

Zermatt

Although this Swiss resort hasn’t quite seen the levels of snowfall as some of the French resorts, it’s still a fantastic early season choice at this stage. The snow on the pistes is fresh and best up high and off-piste.  Heavy snow is forecast within the next 6-9 days, so we’re only seeing the already good conditions in Zermatt improving. With 17/52 lifts already open, we wouldn’t blame you for looking at last minute flight deals to Geneva or the other surrounding airports to get onto the slopes in Zermatt.

Ischgl

Although the snow hasn’t been as plentiful in Ischgl as the previously mentioned resorts, it still deserves its place on this list as one of the resorts to shout about in the next couple of weeks.  Already on-piste has some fresh snow (off-piste is slightly varied) and in the next 6-9 days, there’s over half a metre of snow predicted to fall. 35/45 lifts are open to date in Ischgl, we don’t see it being long until the other 10 lifts are open for business for the season.

The influx of snow over the next 6-9 days is pretty much the same story for many other resorts across Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland. At this rate, I’ll be booking a last-minute deal to one of these resorts!

Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere is officially open for the season and the snow has not let anyone down! The snow is fresh on and off-piste and 31/77 lifts are open.  57cm of snowfall is predicted over the next 6-9 days, so a last-minute flight to Geneva is looking like an extremely tempting choice right now. Val d’Isere is plenty of peoples first choice when it comes to their favourite resort and it’s easy to see why once you’ve been there.  A day skiing with a few drinks at La Folie Douce sounds like the recipe for a perfect early season getaway to me!

Val Thorens

Val Thorens has always been an early season favourite amongst ski/snowboard lovers and this year has proved to be no exception.  The popularity of this French resort is at an all-time high. In fact, they won The World’s Best Ski Resort at the World Ski Awards last week (where we also won the prize for the World’s Best Transfer Operator). The piste conditions are looking very good and there’s fresh powder off-piste. 24/32 lifts are already open, so if you’re not already heading out to Val Thorens for an early season break, we’d seriously recommend that you do!

Solden

I’ve already mentioned that it is pretty much the same story across the majority of resorts across the Alps with a tonne of snow due to fall in the next 6-9 days. Solden is no exception to that prediction. In fact, Solden has taken things 1 step further, there is 90cm of snow predicted to fall in the next 6-9 days. If that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will! Conditions on-piste are looking good at the already open Solden, with 23-33 lifts open and no doubt not too much longer until the last 10 are opened.

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The World’s Best Transfer Operator – 2015, 2016 & 2017!

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1537444182219{margin-bottom: -1px !important;}”]We’re incredibly proud to announce that Ski-Lifts have won the award for the World’s Best Transfer Operator, at the World Ski Awards.  The World Ski Awards are held once a year and they are voted for by members of the public and fellow industry professionals.  You may or may not know, but this is the 3rd time in a row we have won this award and this means a huge amount to everyone here in the Ski-Lifts team.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1511176176646{margin-bottom: -1px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]It’s amazing to not only receive recognition from our industry peers, but also from our loyal customers.  We’re constantly striving to provide the very best, unrivalled service to our customers, so to get recognition through the World Ski Awards that we continue to do this, is fantastic.  The award truly is a testament to the hard work that everyone at Ski-Lifts has put in over the last year.

There’s been a number of changes here at Ski-Lifts (some large, some small) in the past year and in particular in the past few months.  Our business has continued to grow and we’re always searching for new ways to keep our customers as happy as they can possibly be, before, during and after their transfer.  We’ve opened an additional office to Morzine, in Manchester, which is our new HQ.  We’ve added new staff and we’ve worked extremely hard to make everything better for our customers and we will continue to do this in the future.

We would be nothing without our customers, clients and hardworking staff.  We’d like to send a huge thank you to our loyal and amazing customers and clients.

The added bonus of being nominated for the award was that we headed out to Kitzbuhel, Austria for a couple of days of skiing, eating, catching up with fellow professionals and maybe enjoying a few too many glasses of wine and schnapps.  The days skiing came to a close and we put on our evening attire.  The Ski-Lifts team actually scrubbed up quite well for the awards evening.  It was a fantastic weekend, made all the better by bringing home the winners trophy.

The winter season is almost here, so it’s now Monday and back to work for us guys.  One thing we will not do is rest on our laurels.  Although we have won the award for a third consecutive time, we will continue to do everything we can possibly to do improve our service for our loyal customers.  2018 will be our best year yet, the work never stops here at Ski-Lifts!

Keep an eye out for our upcoming giveaway to celebrate our 3rd consecutive win, it’s going to be our largest yet!

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Best French Ski Resorts for Families

The snow is starting to fall and ski season is just around the corner. It’s only a matter of time until we’re all booking our ski holidays! And, of all the ski trips, family ski trips are our favourite – some of the most cherished family memories are made on the slopes!

So, if you’re off on a family ski holiday, we thought you’d find our recommendations useful. We know loads of family-friendly ski resorts that will be perfect. First up: France.  Here are some of the best French ski resorts for families.

Avoriaz

With over 15,000 beds, no cars, and only horse-drawn carriages, Avoriaz is one of the safest and calmest ski resorts in France. It’s a self-contained family favourite where you can happily send the kids to the shop for freshly baked croissants (it’s that safe!). Everyone looks after each other, and it’s so easy to keep an eye on the little ones.

What’s more, Avoriaz is also very environmentally friendly. Its residents do what they can to reduce their collective carbon footprint, and the decision to forbid cars means that Avoriaz really flies the flag for the environmentally-minded. 

If all that wasn’t enough, Avoriaz has its very own ski school called ‘Village des enfants’, which allows children to learn through play (and also serves as a sheltered spot if the weather is too bad to ski). 

Still not convinced? Avoriaz has just been kitted out with a brand new waterpark.

La Rosiere

Though it may be small, what La Rosiere lacks in size it more than makes up for in a good old-fashioned family atmosphere. You’ll get a warm welcome at La Rosiere, and the community really work to make you feel at home. Nothing is too big an ask!

There is also a vast range of beginner-intermediate slopes that your kids will love to practise on! If you want to have a day on your own without the children, you could drop them off at the amazing Les Galopins club and indulge in some heli-skiing, or even ski across to Italy for a stone-baked pizza.  Family-friendly skiing is what La Rosiere specialises in.

La Plagne

With 11 resorts rolled into one, La Plagne really does give you bang for your buck. There are plenty of high-altitude slopes for advanced skiers to try, as well as quieter and less crowded slopes for beginners and intermediates.

Highlights for the whole family include; an artificial frozen waterfall (perfect for ice climbing), night-time skiing at the Jean-Luc Cretier stadium, and France’s only bobsleigh run which is open to the public (of course, under supervision).

With so much to offer families, it’s no surprise that La Plagne brings in so many families each and every ski season!

St. Martin de Belleville

While St Martin de Belleville doesn’t have too many nursery-level slopes, if you do have youngsters who are already up to speed, then this is definitely the ski resort for you. Family skiing is one thing that St Martin de Belleville has aplenty. 

The ticket office offers a beginner pass which not only saves money, but keeps young and old learners on a terrain that suits them. As well as the different ski passes, there are frequent family deals, allowing the whole family to ski for children’s rates.

Part of the huge Three Valleys ski area, there’s no lack of choice when it comes to the variety of pistes here. St Martin de Belleville is one of the best family-friendly ski resorts near Geneva.

Megeve

As well as being one of France’s most up-and-coming ski resorts, Megeve also has very charming cobbled streets and a quaint community feel – all of which make for a perfect family-friendly ski resort!

Megeve is one of the most beautiful ski resorts in France and, not to mention, one of the oldest. It has an extremely high standard of childcare, and there are plenty of fantastic family-friendly restaurants to choose from.

As for skiing, there are varied runs throughout the resort for beginners and intermediates.  If you’re looking for family-friendly skiing in France, Megeve is the place for you!

Serre Chevalier

Serre Chevalier is located on the boundary between the Northern and Southern Alps. It’s a very unique place, so much so that it even has its own microclimate – with some large snowfalls and 300 whole days of glorious sunshine throughout the year.  What more could you ask for? 

How about amazing childcare facilities?

Children can enjoy plenty of activities throughout Serre Chevalier, including; the Club Piou-Piou with top of the range childminding facilities, and a snow garden at Monetier. Not to mention, there are a number of easy green slopes for beginners, whether they’re children or adults. Serre Chevalier can accommodate for both large and small family groups.

Les Gets

If you’ve ever been to Les Gets, you will understand why it has made our list as one of the best family ski resorts in France. It’s characterful, charming, and has some of the most beautiful sights that France skiing has to offer. It simply ticks all the boxes. 

Not only will you get access to world-class ski slopes, but there’s also a vast selection of chalets, as well as high-quality and reliable childcare. It’s just a short transfer from Geneva airport, and you get loads of ski school options, delicious restaurants, and various entertainment.

Flaine

Access to slopes comes ridiculously easy in Flaine, which makes it a dream for ski enthusiasts. Not only are there plenty of child-friendly ski zones that your kids will love, but there are also lots of activities that the whole family can enjoy, like indoor climbing, bowling, and even a spa and aquatic centre.

Most importantly, you’ll be spoilt by the range of slopes on offer. Whether you’re beginner-level, intermediate, or you’re a seasoned skier, Flaine has something for everyone and we’re sure that your family will feel at home.

Now you know the best French ski resorts for families, book up!

There are so many ski resorts out there that you and your family will love, so if you’re heading to France for your ski break – be sure to take note of the above! If you’ve decided on one of the incredible resorts, click below to get an instant transfer quote.

 

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What to Pack for Your Ski Holiday

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An issue that often crops up with the staff here and plenty of other skiers is forgetting to pack something and only realising it when it’s too late, whether that’s something large or small, we’re all guilty of being forgetful sometimes.

Luckily for you, we’ve done the forgetting for you and we at Ski-Lifts have come up with a collaborative ski and snowboard essential checklist for your holiday this ski season.

Download a handy skiing checklist below that you can print off, so you never forget anything from your ski holiday packing list again!

Your ski trip packing list:

Ski/snowboarding clothing

 Waterproof breathable jacket (our partners at Absolute Snow have you covered)

 Waterproof mittens (trust me, they’re warmer than gloves)

 Hand-warmers (for when it’s blisteringly cold)

 Goggles + wipes (Save 10% with Panda Optics with code SKILIFTS1020)

 Neckwarmer

 Helmet

 Thermal base layers (top and bottoms) x2

 Extra ski socks x3

 Sunglasses

On the slopes

 Small rucksack

 Suncream

 Water bottle

Equipment

 Avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel (for those who are going off-piste)

 Skis or snowboard (or arrange ski hire)

 Boots

 Ski poles

 Multitool (for repairs or adjustments, don’t be caught out on the slopes!)

 Iron, wax and a scraper

 Board lock (you can’t be too careful)

In-resort clothing

 Everyday clothes (jeans, t-shirt, jumper etc.)

 Swimwear (if you plan on relaxing in a spa or taking a dip)

 Hat and gloves

Other useful stuff

 Earplugs (don’t be kept awake when you fancy an early night)

 Deep heat (skiing can be unforgiving on your muscles and joints)

 Playing cards

 Travel pillow

 Fancy dress (well, you never know do you?)

 Spirits and cigarettes from duty-free (sometimes the alcohol and cigarette prices in resorts can burn a hole in the pocket)

 Akla-Seltzer (for the inevitable hangover)

Download your own handy Ski holiday packing checklist and for all the little extras such as ski lessons, check out our partners. 

And finally, don’t forget to book your hassle-free transfer to the ski resort!