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NYE in the Alps

If you love the mountains as much as we do here at Ski Lifts, you’ll agree that there is no better way to bring in the New Year than spending your time skiing and partying late into the night at one of these resorts in the Alps! 

Read on to discover some of the best ski resorts in the Alps for New Year celebrations, and why not also get an instant quote for your ski transfers to your pick of these incredible destinations?

St Anton

Think huge parties in the streets, live music and late openings – that’s exactly what St Anton is like on NYE. Head down to the pedestrianised centre of the town and you can enjoy one of the rowdiest countdowns in the Alps, with fireworks exploding in every direction above you. What could be better than staying in a catered chalet with your hosts rustling up a feast? All you have to do is relax!

It may come as no surprise, but the slopes around St Anton on 1st January are usually pretty empty until midday, so if you fancy some early morning skiing, this is the perfect time! Of course, you’ll need every second to explore the 350km of slopes in St Anton and the surrounding resorts.

Pas de la Casa

Pas de la Casa stands at Grandvalira’s highest point at 2100m and opens at the end of November, so there will more than likely be a good covering of snow come New Year. Pas de la Casa, like most Andorran resorts, is known for being cheap, so it may come as no surprise to hear that this resort is a fantastic place for big parties and small prices. There’s no time to be twiddling your thumbs in this resort, with 210km of slopes and 3 snow parks. Pas is up there with the best when it comes to après. Think free shots, cheap beers everywhere and constant happy hours, that’s what you’ll get here. The perfect recipe for NYE celebrations when pubs and clubs usually stay open until the early hours of the morning.

Sauze d’Oulx

You don’t need to break the bank this New Year when heading to the Alps. Sauze d’Oulx can do everything that the neighbouring Swiss and French resorts can do – for much cheaper. You certainly won’t be compromising when it comes to parties and pistes. You’ll be spending your New Year skiing on the 400km slopes of the Milky Way, which link over to Montgenevre, on the French side of the border. Sauze has some of the liveliest bars in the Italian Alps, which is perfect for anyone wanting a party on the 31st! Not forgetting, Sauze is only an hour’s transfer from the nearby Turin Airport.

Zermatt

Zermatt is a stunning village with its timber buildings, famous church spire and cobbled streets, all overlooked by the marvellous Matterhorn. The standard of food in the lavish gala dinners that most hotels throw is sky high. There are lots of local traditions that happen here in Zermatt on the 31st – everyone gathers in the church square to enjoy fireworks, music and drinking from the outdoor bars, which accompany the countdown. There’s a huge amount of area to cover when it comes to skiing around Zermatt, with 200km of slopes covered by the local lift pass alone.

Meribel

A favourite amongst the Brits and for good reason as well, a New Year celebration in Meribel is high on any skier’s bucket list. The NYE celebrations usually start with a family-friendly torch lit descent into the Chaudanne area. Following that, the amazing firework display begins, with roaring and colourful fireworks launching in every direction in the sky. For a true alcohol-fueled New Year, it is recommended to head to legendary Le Rond Point, on the only night of the year it is open until the early hours. Of course, there is always the option of an early night and getting up prior to midday to explore the near-empty 600km of slopes across the Three Valleys.

Mayrhofen

There are a few options when it comes to celebrating New Year in Mayrhofen. One of these options is to jump on the New Year’s Eve train, where the Zillertal Railways will take you from Jenbach to Mayrhofen, whilst stopping for entertainment at each of the train stations along the way. There’s always the option to head to one of the rowdy and heaving bars in the resort. Then on New Year’s Day, there’s usually a horse-drawn carriage procession leading to the racecourse, where you can place your bets and see if your year will get off to a lucky start.

Book your ski transfers for NYE in the Alps with Ski Lifts

If you’re planning on seeing the New Year in with a fun-filled ski trip to the Alps, make sure to get a quote from Ski Lifts for your airport transfers. We specialise in providing a safe and professional transfer service, specifically for ski holidays. Simply fill in one of our online forms and receive an instant quote for your upcoming ski trip!

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10 Undiscovered Ski Resorts You Need To Visit

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Did you know that Europe and Canada are home to many unknown ski resorts? You may have heard of Tignes and you may have heard of Chamonix – but the line doesn’t stop there! From Bulgaria to Switzerland and Andorra – there are many hidden ski resorts that are nestled away in the snowy mountains. Luckily for you, we have compiled a guide of the top ten quiet ski resorts that you need to visit. Read on! 

1. Soldeu, Andorra 

As the largest ski resort in Andorra, you might not expect to see Soldeu on this list of the top ten unknown ski resorts. However, due to Andorra’s proximity to the likes of France, Italy and Switzerland, this small country can often get overlooked as a skiing destination. 

Why go skiing in Soldeu… 

Well, for one, this Andorran ski resort has been voted one of the best cheap ski resorts in Europe. This has undoubtedly been helped by Andorra being duty-free! However, the duty-free status does not bring many party goers, so Soldeu is one of the best quiet family-friendly ski resorts in Europe.

2. Borovets, Bulgaria 

Bulgaria is one of Europe’s top destinations when it comes to finding undiscovered ski resorts – take a look at Borovets! 

Tourism in Borovets can be traced back to the 19th century, making it one of the oldest ski resorts around. This Bulgarian resort is one of the best quiet ski resorts for beginners and includes internationally renowned ski instructors in the resort, who generally speak English.  There’s plenty of choice when it comes to après ski in Borovets. Those who do know the resort would be familiar with the cheaper alternatives available to the much more expensive alpine bars elsewhere.

3. Les Houches, France 

You might not expect to see Les Houches being named as one of the hidden ski resorts in France, especially with it being 6km from the hugely popular ski resort Chamonix. 

The village is typical of the Savoy region in France. The quaint resort is made up of hamlets which are scattered over the 5000 hectares that Les Houches covers. The exceptional backdrop of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc and the stunning panoramas of Les Houches ski area, truly set this resort apart. As one of the best quiet ski resorts near Geneva, you might be wondering why you’ve never been here before.

4. Pamporovo, Bulgaria 

Pamporovo is set in beautiful picturesque pine forests and certainly stands out on this list of top ten unknown ski resorts. 

You might expect one of the advantages of skiing in Bulgaria is that everything is much cheaper than Western Europe, and you would be correct to assume this. Pamporovo is no exception to this rule, so you can ensure that you won’t be spending a fortune on your ski holiday here. The ski area itself isn’t massive, but the number of green and blue runs make Pamporovo excellent for beginners. 

5. Serre Chevalier, France 

The extensive resort of Serre Chevalier is made up of four different villages and towns, which go by the names of; Briancon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monetier-Les-Bains.   

When it comes to finding the best hidden resorts in France, look no further than this place. Serre Chevalier is definitely one of the most underrated and quiet ski resorts near Grenoble. Despite its hidden status, skiers at this resort also have the option of using their lift pass at the nearby resorts of Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes. As well as this, the laid-back style of this resort, friendly locals and cheaper prices than some of its neighbours will leave you coming back for more.

6. Obergurgl, Austria 

Situated in the Tyrol region of Austria, Obergurgl sits right by the Italian border. This increasingly popular, but still relatively quiet ski resort is near Innsbruck Airport. 

This small, family-friendly Austrian ski resort is a favourite amongst those who have visited previously.  However, it remains one of Austria’s most quiet ski resorts. It’s difficult to understand why Obergurgl isn’t more popular, to be honest. It’s snow sure, there’s a quaint village with a traffic-free centre, and it hosts reputable ski schools. What more could you ask for? 

7. Grindelwald, Switzerland 

This lively, but relatively unknown Swiss ski resort is perfect for skiing and active summer holidays. Grindelwald sits under the north face of the Eiger and is surrounded by the Wetterhorn, Monch and several other glaciers. The picturesque surrounding scenery is a draw for lovers of Grindelwald, as well as for those wanting to find the best undiscovered ski resorts. 

For non-skiers, Grindelwald is home to 100km of winter footpaths. This Swiss ski resort near Zurich is also home to the world’s longest toboggan run. 

8. Crans Montana, Switzerland 

Situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Crans Montana is one of Europe’s quiet ski resorts, but is becoming more popular with skiers and summer activity seekers. On a visit to Crans Montana, you’ll have access to 140km of pistes, including Pointe de la Plane Morte, and a  glacier reaching 2,927m. 

If you follow the Alpine Ski Racing World Championships you may recognise the name, Crans Montana, as this was the venue for their 1987 championships.

9. Golden, Canada 

Located just above the picturesque town of Golden in Canada is the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. This resort is known (to some) for its distinctive views and legendary terrain. In Canada, Banff and other large resorts can often overshadow some of their smaller neighbours.  

However, when it comes to finding the best hidden ski resorts in this country, you shouldn’t pass up on a trip to Golden. Never mind the best unknown ski resorts in North America, Golden is up there as being one of the best resorts in North America. 

As well as world-class skiing at this quiet Canadian ski resort, you can enjoy; skating, tubing, snowshoeing and direct access to snowmobile tours and heli-skiing.

10. Arabba, Italy 

Set at an altitude of 1600m, Arabba is one of Italy’s quiet ski resorts that is located in the heart of Dolomites. You will be assured to have an unforgettable ski break at this hidden resort.  

Even without mentioning the skiing, the view of Portavescovo Mountain will leave you in awe. However, the skiing at Arraba is always the number one priority. As the resort is home to some amazing technical pistes, you will not be disappointed here. Also, those wanting to learn to ski will be pleased to know that there are some perfect nursery slopes lower down the mountain. 

Now you know the top ten undiscovered ski resorts, book today!

If you are thinking of heading off the slopes for a quiet ski holiday, make sure to take note of the above. At Ski Lifts, we offer airport transfers to numerous ski resorts around Europe. Thinking of staying at a particular ski resort? Be sure to get an instant transfer quote online.