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Proud of our ongoing partnership with Ski Club of Great Britain for 2020/21
Ski Lifts enjoys keeping company with the best organisations in the ski and snow communities, so it gives us great pleasure to continue being one ‘a part of the furniture’ at Ski Club of Great Britain!
For regular skiers, boarders and the chalet getaway crowd, the Ski Club of Great Britain is able to offer exclusive deals to members that save a lot of money in the long run, from ski hire, resort bookings, coaching and lessons – and even transfers with ourselves at Ski-Lifts.
Discover the best snow before the rest
One thing that’s guaranteed to keep you excited this season despite everything that’s going in this year, is the wonderful Snow Forecast service from Ski Club of GB. Members get access to an exclusive 10-day forecast in one easy place to check.
Including our team, Ski-Club has 22,000 members with over a century’s worth of a rich history in the mountains around the world.
Ski Club of Great Britain members are entitled to members-only discounts across the full Ski-Lifts range of transfers in every single location. Because Ski-Lifts don’t do discounts normally, being a member of Ski Club is of great benefit, as this will help you save on your transfers with us, thanks to this partnership.
A skiing discount for you
You can receive 20% off standard Ski Club membership today by using the code SKILIFTS20. Fill in the details on our membership page and find the perfect membership type just for you!
Our partnership
Ski Lifts continues its fantastic partnership with Ski Club – the membership organisation that gets better and better every year for its members.
Commercial Director, Simon Holmes said: “We are delighted to once again be a partner of Ski Club, a fantastic organisation for skiers and snowboarders, old and young. The plethora of benefits is truly incredible – the value they offer in boosting and saving money across all your ski experiences through the years with them, is simply unmatched.”
Ski Club of Great Britain Head of Member Services, Owen Chapman has said: “We are very excited to announce Ski Lifts as our Preferred Transfer Partner this coming season. Not only supporting our members in providing a great service to and from resort, Ski Lifts work very closely with our Freshtracks team to provide an excellence service for our holidaymakers. We are delighted for our long-standing partnership to continue to grow for many winters to come!”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Like most during 2020, we’ve been turning our attention to the Morzine snow forecast to help keep our spirits up! In the meantime, don’t be scared and make your <a title=”Geneva to Morzine transfer booking just in case – as all of our transfers are protected by the Lifts.To Covid-19 Guarantee.
So for all the self-confessed obsessives and powder hounds out there, we thought it may also quietly cheer up your 2020, to report that Morzine has had its first bit of snow as of Friday 28th September. The snow wasn’t much, but was enough to raise a few cheers around the offices, at a 9cm depth settling upon rooftops in town, and more on the way – with the next Morzine 2020 snow forecast to be this Saturday 3rd October at a depth of 26cm, according to Snow Forecast.
We love checking out Ski-Club’s snow reports as many of our readers do too – so far, nothing on the pistes at the time of writing. However, we have roughly 1 metre of snow to fall over the next 6 days – which is exciting![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”19346″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1601312042986{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”17999″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.ski-lifts.com/transfers/morzine”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
What kind of snow is ideal in Morzine?
Out of the 22 different types of skiing snow (!) you’ll experience as a skier or snowboarder, the best snow forecast that you can hope for is for consistent, long and low humidity snowfall which ideally has been subject to the least amount of temperature variation, and doesn’t warm up too much during the day.
It’s the same snow that’s ideal in every kind of ski resort: either fresh snow, or fresh powder! It’s true – there’s nothing else like it. This is what skiers and snowboarders love to live for. For others, the fresh snow once the grooms have been out is the norm. Nevertheless – the more you ski, the more you’ll need the good stuff. If not, you’ll likely be aware that everyone has a snow aficionado in their group who will give you their snow analysis for the day – and especially the hardcore ones who are up at the crack of dawn and make their own way, usually further up than the madding crowd, to cut tracks before anyone else.
After this point – you’ll usually get packed powder, which is still fun (and hopefully it’s not hard-packed or icy). But once you’ve had a hit of fresh snow or fresh powder, you’ll quickly need another fix of it…
Book without doubt – our Covid-19 Refunds Guarantee
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Book transfers without a doubt, thanks to our new customer protection initative – which means you may as well book just in case. We are proud to announce our Hassle-Free Covid-19 Guarantee across the entire LiftsTo group, which of course includes Ski-Lifts.
Refunds for ski transfers
Not leaving you out of pocket
The Hassle-Free Guarantee is an initiative designed to assure and protect all customers and clients who are unsure as to booking their ski transfers this year, who are worrying about losing out if their local authorities announce any forms of restrictive travel curfews, bans, or full border restrictions.
We’re ensuring our customers can receive refunds when they inform us in 7 days or more of their cancellation – for any Coronavirus-related restriction which denies you of your right to access or entry.
For some customers, this means having to cancel before they’re due to go on holiday or indeed, they may even be forced to stay out longer and cannot come home due to a denial of entry or exit because of Covid-19 rules changes – these are extreme and rare cases where people must stay in their resorts for longer. For these, we would note that customers are welcome to re-arrange their transfer times by contacting us if they are pushed to complete a quarantine period away from home where they may have to stay away for 14 more days than originally planned.
Here at Ski-Lifts, we want to assure you that our no quibble 7 day refunds policy is based on our teams working extraordinarily hard with suppliers and our understanding of travel rules being announced, no matter where you are: whether you’re in France, taking a ski break in Italy, Austria, Germany, skiing in Andorra, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, Bulgaria — or even further afield.
By reducing the stress time down to 7 days, we are ensuring you have a decent window before which to get your money back, defer your transfer to a more suitable or unrestricted travel date, or even change your plans if you need to.
You can find the terms and conditions here on our main group site, on the LiftsTo Coronavirus Travel Advice page.
Helpful Coronavirus ski travel guides
for the 2020/21 ski season
The Ski-Lifts team are working as normal – aside from organising operations as usual and catering to the customers who are making the most of the current “free for all” skiing locations such as Italy and Germany! – we are putting together a number of guides for all of our customers old and new, our clients, and we continue to monitor and enhance our cleaning and hygiene protocol across all vehicles and throughout the supply chain at Ski-Lifts. Simply bookmark our Coronavirus Ski Support posts, or keep checking back to our Guide pages every day for the latest, and always ensure you are looking at your local authority’s travel guidance and updates, as these may change on a daily basis.
Due to the ongoing disruption to travel as a result of COVID 19 this blog has been suspended. Last updated 22nd Dec 2020.
Where in the world can I go skiing
during the Coronavirus pandemic?
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Go skiing – Coronavirus? It feels stranger this year to be going through the usual resorts for the season – how can we know where we can go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic? Keep reading. Bookmark this page for the latest Coronavirus ski travel news.
It really does seem like the anvil of another global roll-out of lockdowns against movement and freedom of travel is about to fall off the cliff edge again. In some countries this has already taken place and they continue to weather their “second wave”. In light of the changes, we will keep updating this list for people who might be looking to go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic and where in the world is open for your season and snow holiday getaways.
It should also be noted however, for any resorts that your home country deems is within a “non-essential travel” destination (should your reasons for travel not be based on home residency needs, repatriation or key-worker status) – will largely not be insurable by yourself or your tour operator, so always check first. Also note that some travel insurance companies will not insureIyou if you are travelling against your home authority’s advice. if your insurer cannot help you, get advice from a broker who might be able to.
Go Skiing – Coronavirus?
You should also note carefully that your country of origin may still require you to either self-isolate or quarantine on your return. Please always check with your local government or national travel authority for the latest. You can also check the Travel Aware measures tips from UK Government as these are generally useful ideas for all travellers. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Places to go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic
(However if you find an open area, fill out a self-declaration form and have proof of a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arrival in Italy.)
(UK travellers are not currently known to need to necessarily self-isolate upon their return from Poland unless told by Home Borders to do so)
Serbia
(UK travellers will also need to self-isolate for 14 days on return from Serbia)
Slovakia
(UK travellers will also need to self-isolate for 14 days on return from Slovakia)
Greenland
Faroe Islands
Denmark
Iceland
(You will need to pay for a test OR quarantine for 14 days. UK travellers will also need to self-isolate for 14 days on return from Iceland)
Finland
(Quaratine for 14 days – if you’re eligible to enter at all. UK travellers will also need to self-isolate for 14 days on return from Finland)
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]These countries, so far, have the most liberal borders policies for skiers and snowboarders, with the lowest levels of quarantine restrictions in place for arrivals.
Some Foreign Nationals will not need to quarantine at all for the above list of countries. We will update this daily, but please first check with your own country’s guidelines which may restrict your movement or your ability to travel, and for any entry requirements on arrival. It is important to check befor eyou go skiing, Coronavirus measures that update daily mean these places may have their own lists for certain countries and nationals.
Some nationals and locations will automatically mean being asked to quarantine first, or some may simply be refused entry on this basi. So it is important to stay alert and even set up travel news alerts on your phone.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]If you are a foreign national and are able to spare the weeks, plus you’re happy to quarantine on your arrival, or your return (and potentially both)… then these countries are open for you to go skiing in:[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
#Bulgaria = Reachable but NB that some major roads are completely closed
(1) USA = Open domestically, except to those who have been in the following places 14 days prior or more to arrival: UK, Ireland, Schengen zone, Iran, Brazil, China.
(2) South Africa = proof of a negative test taken within the last 72 hours which incudes travel time. UK not allowed unless staying for 3 months+[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Where is closed for skiing?
New Zealand – Closed
Canada – Closed, except for Canada nationals and those exempt
Again, everything is subject to change, so bookmark this page and keep checking back in case this list empties, which is what we’re all hoping for. Remember, authorities in the country or area that you are going to are responsible for setting and enforcing rules for entry. To quell any confusion, make sure you contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the place you’d like to visit to get the most up to date information, and ensure that your desired departure flights or ships are available and permitted.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18018″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://ski-lifts.com”][vc_column_text]
For holiday-makers and consumers booking direct with us, this gives you up to 16:00 CET the day before travel to cancel with no penalty if you are affected by Government-driven travel restrictions. Please see full terms and conditions here.
In our incredible network of local transfer operators, drivers, chauffeurs and concierge – we have worked together to agree to maintaining the most practical and hygienic ways we can keep you safe:
Up to 7 people per shared vehicle. Private: up to 6 people (in a carriage for 8) maximum, and up to 8 people (in a carriage for 10) maximum.
Enhanced daily cleaning and airing of ski transfer vehicles inside and out
Drivers are isolated which means passengers won’t be able to take the adjoining seat
You may have also seen that The Telegraph did a fantastic piece a few weeks ago on weekend snow + ski getaway ideas, which is worth checking back to if you’re able to go flight hopping across Europe over the coming weeks.
If not, that’s OK – we have still put the above guide together to show you where (currently – we’ll update it every day that we can) you can go skiing during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Where in the world can I travel to for skiing from the UK, during Coronavirus?
Due to the ongoing disruption to travel as a result of COVID 19 this blog has been suspended. Last updated 22nd Dec 2020.
Ski-Lifts’ Coronavirus Travel Update: this is a general, helpful coronavirus travel update, designed as a supportive article (and not definitive – stay up to date your local Government guidelines and news bureaus for the latest information). And don’t forget, when you book with Ski-Lifts, you’ll be covered by our group-wide Hassle-Free Covid-19 Guarantee. Please take a look at this page if you searchingwhere to ski during the Coronavirus pandemic generally.
Where can I travel to, from the UK, without quarantine or isolating while I’m there?
The good news is that you will not need to quarantine on arrival, or return, to and from these countries. Colloquially known as ‘air bridges’, these places allow travel between them without any severe pandemic restrictions or delays, subject to any spur-of-the-moment government or airport restrictions. Some visitors are finding they have to take a test when they arrive – but if they are negative, they are free to roam. As you will see, the world is still fairly open. You should note carefully, however, that visiting these countries will not exempt you from changes in the rules or the UK asking you to quarantine upon your return.
Currently we understand that UK travellers can head to the following locations as Covid19-negative visitors, without needing to self-isolate or quarantine on arrival.
The team will update this list daily. List correct as of 26/10/2020 at 10:46 CET. As previously stated, you may need to self-isolate upon your return to the UK – but you will need to do that in your place of abode as there are no Government quarters or border locations specified for an official quarantine or self-declared self-isolation currently, unlike other countries that you may be visiting or transferring to who will have places for you to quarantine in. We will do our best to keep this page up to date.
FCO Non-essential ski travel / “air bridge” allowed: 1 country
Sweden – (Air bridge; currently no known forms or declarations required)
FCO Non-essential ski travel allowed but you will need to quarantine on arrival: 6 countries
These trips are insurable. However, the term “air bridge” here is a bit of a misnomer, as you will still need to quarantine or self isolate in these countries on your arrival and return:
Norway(Self-isolate for 10 days or more on arrival after declaring your details at Customs)
There are additional, currently less popular skiing countries in the ‘air bridge’ list where you actually still have to quarantine on arrival and return, and also be tested on arrival. These are Greenland, Iceland, Finland and the Faroe Islands.
Greenland asks that you have proof of a test within the last 5 days that is negative, fill out a tracer form, quarantine for 14 days on arrival and be open to being retested by Danish Police while in Greenland.
In Iceland, you will have to take a test on arrival OR quarantine in Iceland for 14 days, and register your details with Customs.
Finland has drastically reduced inbound flights, with entry restricted to residents, repatriation and family of Finland citizens only, following recent evidence a negative test, and to be open to a retest at Customs.
The Faroe Islands have the same rules in place as Greenland.
FCO Non-essential travel is advised against, may not be fully insurable, but some flights are still available for travel from the UK: 8 countries
Slovakia – (Self-isolate only on return to the UK)
Poland – (Quarantine on arrival if you show symptoms or have been traced, otherwise self-isolate only on return to the UK)
It should also be noted that if the ski destination country is not a “air bridge” or travel corridor, (and your reasons for travel not be based on home residency needs, repatriation or key-worker status) – your trip will largely not be insurable by yourself or your tour operator, because it goes against FCO advice – so always check with your provider or insurer first. Some private brokers may be able to help. Any quarantine that you do have to fulfil (self-isolation can normally take place in your accommodation) will normally be a government-sponsored hotel or housing, but you should check before travel and always stay aware of any changes to your journey.
“Let’s see what is open, and let’s go?”
The ongoing Covid-19 travel updates makes planning for a holiday -for even visitors arriving at their destinations – extremely tricky. TL;DR: Italy and Sweden are still places you can book in to ski now. However, given that Tour Operators cannot organise travel if it goes against FCO advice, and that many insurance policies don’t cover travellers defying the non-essential travel bans, many are finding that they cannot plan around this. In addition, there is the arguably volatile nature of what are ever-changing border, quarantine and testing restrictions. However, you should look for an insurance broker or find private advice as some insurers as some may be able to cover you.
However, most ski resorts are open – it’s down to your the restrictions on either side of your intra-country travel.
And it is important be prepared: there are more forgiving parts of the world, but at the same time, there could well be other measures at any of these airport borders such as paper forms, health declaration requirements, and the legal requirement to take swab or blood test at any time. In some countries, these tests may occur twice to protect from a false positive result, which could potentially delay your journey. Also, most airports globally oblige passengers to wear face coverings or masks (so, naturally, it’s handy to have a few extra ski masks with you this year).
Remember, always check official Government guidance before you travel, stay up to date on your travel insurance, and stay alert to any guidance while you are travelling. As we know, some of these lists could change while you’re “in the air”. In addition, some countries may have nurses and inspectors who observe you on arrival, and if they believe you show symptoms, you may still be asked to quarantine for 14 days. Be sure to travel safe.
We’re excited for the upcoming ski season 2020/2021! We know that you are keen to hit the slopes and most of you are already daydreaming with your winter holidays. This year, it’s quite difficult to keep up with the changes due to COVID 19, but we’ll do our best as always – last updated 25th Jan 2021 click here for 2021/2022 ski season dates.
New for this season – we’ve introduced the Hassle-free COVID-19 Guarantee to cover any officially announced government travel restriction – so you can have complete confidence when you book with Ski-Lifts!
Andorra
Resorts are currently only open to residents but this may change depending on the COVID situation of inbound travellers.
There is no definite date for when lifts will be opened, but it is expected to be from March ’21 if at all. Bars and restaurants will remain closed until 20th Jan 2021 and UK skiers are currently not able to travel to France.
All German ski resorts are closed until at least 10th Jan 2021 and we await further information about when they will offically open and under what restrictions.
While there are travel restrictions for most countries, the Swiss have opened their resorts this season. The restrictions change depending on where the resort is located so please check before you book anything.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (UK Gov announcement for UK Customers) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information check www.gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCOtravel and Facebook: Facebook.com/FCOtravel.
Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
The advice can change so check regularly for updates.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office also provides the following advice:
Before you depart:
• Take out appropriate travel insurance before travelling and make sure it covers you for all the activities you want to do.
• If you are travelling within Europe, ensure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that hasn’t expired and understand what it covers – you still need full travel insurance though! For your free EHIC card visit www.nhs.uk/ehic.
• Learn about the laws, customs and entry requirements of the country you’re visiting and understand how they differ from home, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
• Check your passport is valid, fill out the emergency details, look after it while travelling and keep it in a safe place. Make sure you have all necessary visas.
• Make copies of important travel documents, take a picture or make copies and store them securely using a secure data storage site.
• Research vaccinations or any other medical requirements for your destination, and if necessary visit a travel health clinic before you travel. For medical advice visit travelhealthpro. org.uk.
• Tell your friends or family about your travel plans and where you’re going and leave emergency contact details.
• Take enough money with you and have access to emergency funds.
• Ensure you take the contact details of the local British Consulate in case of emergencies – www.gov.uk/government/world/embassies.
• Understand what consular staff can and can’t do to help British nationals travelling overseas, check www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide.
• Act responsibly, and be responsible for yourself when abroad.
If you have further questions, see the “Travel & Health requirements” information in the Before You Go section of our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Coronavirus Advice
The UK Government website including the FCO is updated in real-time with the latest Covid-19 travel restrictions as they relate to UK Customers: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
QUIZ: Tell us which song you’re playing on a loop, and we’ll tell you if you are a skier, a snowboarder or an après-skier.
If you are willing to take this quiz, it could be because: you don’t know what to try the next ski season; you want to double-check you are doing the right winter sport; and lastly (and most likely), you are bored.
We want you to have some fun doing this quiz so open the notes on your phone (or take a piece of paper and a pen for the old-fashioned way) and after reading each question, write down your answer -A, B or C-. Once you finish the quiz, count each letter, and read the answer of the letter repeated the most. Here we go!
After work, you can find me…
Working out
Reading Sapiens
Having some drinks
How is your balance?
Great!
It has improved after yoga
So clumsy that at Costa they don’t let me have the takeaway coffee without a lid
What kind of photo would showcase your winter holiday on Instagram?
An active photo while I’m practising sports
A photo at the highest point of the mountain, ready to descend the piste
In the kitchen, before going out
Where would you like to go?
Avoriaz, France
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
St. Anton, Austria
When I’m travelling, I like to…
Improvise my plans
Wake up earlier and visit as much as I can
Go out and party!
Currently, I’m playing on loop…
Blind lights, Weeknd
Hold me while you wait, Lewis Capaldi
Don’t start now, Dua Lipa
How would you describe yourself?
Adventurous
Detailed
Outgoing
The best part of the day is…
Afternoon
Mornings
Evenings
Majority A – Snowboarder
You don’t mind falling, because you know you’ll stand up immediately after! You are ready to give your best and try one of the most difficult winter sports: snowboarding. Snowboarding is an excellent sport for somebody so audacious and fearless like you. You’ll enjoy the challenges of this winter sport and soon you’ll find yourself taking on the halfpipe like a pro.
For the first couple of days, you’ll fall a lot and it will be challenging to move around since both feet are attached to the same board. But don’t worry, we know you don’t give up easily and you’ll get it soon! To master snowboarding and become the next Chloe Kim, you should improve your core strength. Focusing on your abdominal muscles and lower back, you will develop your balance and hopefully prevent injury.
If you don’t have a destination for the next snow season, you should consider visiting Avoriaz, you’ll love the stunning views over the Morzine valley and Mont Blanc. This resort has excellent snow conditions, being one of the first resorts to get snow and with 600km of pistes. Also, the alpine resort has some of the best snowparks in Europe, including the Stash, a fun ungroomed area to freeride and freestyle.
Majority B – Skier
You like to take your time and enjoy the moment. In your next snowy holiday, you look forward to learning a new sport, but you are not going to stress yourself, you’ve tried it and that’s what is essential. Skiing ticks all the boxes of what you are looking for in your next winter holiday: easy to catch up, you don’t get too messy and Instagramable.
During the first week, skiing is a lot of fun, many people take it quickly. The first few days you’ll take your first turns on the beginner slopes and by the end of the week, you may even progress to a blue piste. To become the next Bode Miller and compete in the Olympics, we recommend you don’t skip leg day, the stronger they are, the better you’ll control the skis on the slopes.
Regardless of how many times you’ve taken to the slopes, Verbier is an excellent destination for skiing. The ski resort that James Blunt sings about is located over 2,000m up and is a well-known ski resort for having great snow. Also, if you decide to explore and go to the Mont Fort Glacier, you will be able to enjoy the views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
Majority C – Après-skier
The pub is where you’re in your element. You’re outgoing, lively and you are making video calls with your friends all the time! Skiing and snowboarding are cool, but your plan for a winter holiday is to be surrounded by friends and gather around some fondue – and some alpine wine.
The next season, you should visit St. Anton, their nights are well-known in the ski scene. On your first afternoon, you can’t miss the legendary après-ski mile, home to iconic bars like Mooserwirt, Taps, and Krazy Kanguruh. After the après-ski mile, the party moves to the centre of town. At Piccadilly/Postkeller there are two ambiences: an area to drink and talk and another one if you feel like dancing.
Late-season skiing is a pleasure for those who prefer slopes that are less busy. Winter is almost over, but that doesn’t mean that the ski season will be! Spring is a wonderful time to travel, making skiing in the spring a great way to hit the slopes in relative peace, and perhaps have an après-ski French wine while enjoying the alpine sunshine on a terrace.
Also, the daylight lasts longer – so you will have more time to enjoy the snow and take the slopes to the fullest. With Spring the weather settles down, and skiers and snowboarders can enjoy some of the most fun events of the season, with festivals and displays like Snowbombing or Snowboxx.
Great reasons to book a last-minute holiday, right? Now you might wonder “Where can I ski in April?”, “Are there any ski resorts opened in May?” or “Where can I book an airport transfer for the Alps?”. Well, we’ve done all the research for you and listed the best ski resorts to ski in the late season.
Tignes, France
At Tignes, approximately 2 hours away from Geneva Airport.
Tignes is located at 2,100m of altitude, and it’s part of the Espace Killy resort, which is one of the resorts in Europe with the biggest ski area over 2,000m of altitude. Because of the elevation of the ski area and the fact that it has some slopes facing north, the ski resort offers almost-certain fun in the pistes until May.
St. Anton, Austria
At St. Anton, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Innsbruck Airport.
St. Anton has an excellent snow record and is open from November to early May. Even if it has lovely Spring sunshine, the many north-facing slopes hold the powder and the snow machines cover the south-facing pistes. With your ski pass, you’ll be able to ski at any point of the Alberg region, the largest linked ski area in Austria and with highly efficient lifts.
After the slopes, enjoy the sunshine at the legendary après-ski mile while listening to live music and having an Austrian beer.
Mayrhofen, Austria
At Mayrhofen, approximately 1 hour away from Innsbruck Airport.
With 142km of slopes and the runs mostly between 1,650m and 2,500m, Mayrhofen is a reliable destination to make the most of the ski season. The ski resort is close to the Hintertux glacier and is home for the steepest slope of Austria: the Harakiri. Also, in mid-April, Mayrhofen hosts Snowbombing, a music festival that combines fun mountain experiences during the day and excellent live concerts and parties at night.
Verbier, Switzerland
At Verbier, approximately 2 hours away from Geneva Airport.
The ski resort that James Blunt sings about is located over 2,000m up and is a well-known ski resort for having great snow in late-season. Verbier’s significant snowmaking installations guarantee that the powder will last longer for visitors, being open until April. Also, if you decide to explore and go to the Mont Fort Glacier, you will be able to enjoy the views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
At Breckenridge, approximately 2 hours away from Denver Airport.
If you are considering travelling to the other side of the Atlantic to hit the slopes for the last time this season, Breckenridge is the ski resort you are looking for. The resort is also known as “Breckenwind”, because of the wind and cold conditions that make the snow hold for longer in the hills, rewarding you with almost 3,000 acres of powder.
Chamonix, France
At Chamonix, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Geneva Airport.
When you travel to Chamonix in Spring, there is something you have to do after hitting the piste: enjoy a glass of Alpine wine outdoors while contemplating Mont Blanc and the stunning view of the Chamonix Valley, glorious! Skiers can take to the slopes of Chamonix until May since it has the highest point of the resort at 3840m of altitude and it has the most regular snowfall figures in the Alps.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
At Saas-Fee, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.
Less busy than its neighbour Zermatt, Saas-Fee is an excellent decision if you want to enjoy a calm late-season break. The Swiss resort has been car-free since 1951, making it a quiet destination and a more environmentally friendly option. With 100km of pistes and 2 snowparks, as well as being home to 13 peaks over 4,000m; you can hit the slopes of Saas-Fee until after Easter.
As a skier or snowboarder you probably love nothing more than hitting the slopes, enjoying the great snow and having a moment to contemplate the magnificence of the mountains. Unfortunately, the current climate crisis puts the possibility to keep enjoying nature as we know it at risk. Already, we have experienced some devastating changes in the mountains, with animal species in danger of extinction and ski resorts having to close because of the low snowfall.
On the other hand, many ski resorts are taking action towards the preservation of the climate and are taking steps to provide an eco-friendly ski holiday for their guests.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
At Saas-Fee, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.
The incredible feeling of inhaling fresh air when you arrive at the highest point of the piste makes you connect immediately with nature, especially when your ski holiday is a runaway from the hectic city life. Your whole body relaxes and you are ready to descend the slopes.
To be sure that you take only the freshest breaths of air in the Alps, and to provide skiers with a sustainable ski holiday, Saas-Fee has been car-free since 1951. Not allowing cars in the resort, Saas-Fee reduces its environmental impact and its carbon footprint, taking steps to help to protect the Alps and improve the quality of life.
Therefore, the Swiss resort is working to be a pioneer in ecological alpine tourism and is developing procedures to be carbon-free. Its efforts in sustainability have seen Saas-Fee win the title of “Energy Town”, because of the introduction of clear quality standards in traffic and energy policies. No other ski resort in Switzerland can show off its use of natural energy so consistently, as it obtains 100% of their electricity by renewable Valaisian hydroelectric power.
Pejo 300, Italy
At Peio, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Verona Airport.
Most plastics take an average of 1000 years to decompose completely. So if you consume a single-use plastic bottle today, it will still exist when your great-great-grandchildren go to college, along with all the plastic their previous generations have used. And yes, that can be a lot of rubbish. This crazy fact has shocked many people who have decided to stop reducing their plastic waste or even wholly stop consuming plastic at all and have a zero-waste lifestyle to reduce their impact on the environment.
Aware of the impact the plastic has on the climate crisis and following the need to take steps to preserve our mountains, Pejo 3000 has become the first ski resort in Europe to ban plastics. The Italian resort has forbidden disposable straws, bottles, cutlery, glasses, packets of ketchup and mayonnaise and any other single-use plastic items. The new zero-waste action will reduce the disposal of plastic into the mountains and will help to preserve the local nature so all skiers can enjoy the Stelvio National Park for longer.
Even if Pejo 3000 took the initiative, having a plastic-free ski holiday can be a personal ambition of any skier, besides the polyethene in your skis of course. If you are wondering where to start, we recommend you take a look at Laura Singer’s blog post – most of the things are free! http://trashisfortossers.com/zero-waste-travel-ki/
Avoriaz, France
At Avoriaz, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.
Designed to be a green ski resort, since the beginning Avoriaz has been zero-car, fuel monitored to avoid energy waste and has planned sustainable accommodation. These procedures have made them win the Green Key accreditation, the top international certification for eco-friendly tourist accommodation.
The resort has done great work building environmentally-friendly construction and developing a dual-energy network. Also, the French resort has two environmentally responsible snowparks and train their drivers to do their tasks in the most eco-friendly way. Lately, they’ve renewed their snow canyons to introduce modern machines which consume three times less energy, and they try to avoid using them so the skiers can enjoy the natural fresh snow.
Aspen, USA
At Aspen, approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes away from Denver Airport.
The world-famous ski resort Aspen has been a pioneer in sustainable skiing, applying eco-friendly procedures since 1997. Their goal to eradicate emissions has led them to be one of the first cities in the USA to be powered by renewable energy and become seven-times winners of the Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence.
Besides, they don’t only advocate for green power and develop energy-efficient methods; they also take on the best eco practices in the resort. They purchase local food and beverages to reduce their impact, they are home for the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (where they inform visitors of the local environment), and they take part in many local activities to protect the climate.
Söll, Austria
At Soll, approximately 1 hour away from Innsbruck Airport.
One of the energy challenges that the ski resorts have to face is heating. To keep all the skiers and snowboarders warm, the ski resorts have to make significant investments in energy which directly affects the climate crisis. However, Söll is renowned for its green heating initiative. Rather than using gas or coal, they burn wood chips to make fuel to heat the entire bottom lift station, an excellent alternative to keep everybody warm and reduce the environmental impact.
Also, the Austrian ski resort uses eco-friendly snow cannons and has a stable system for sorting waste.
Lastly, the future of the mountains is everyone’s responsibility, and all of us can make a change in our daily life.
