The 20 best ski holidays to book right now
All eyes might be on France and when, if and how the current travel ban might be lifted in order for ski holidays to get the green light.
But skiers and snowboarders shouldn’t be fooled by the decision to continue to prohibit Britons from the French slopes, there’s plenty of scope to hit the pistes right now elsewhere in the world.
From the Canadian powder fields to Switzerland’s picture-postcard villages, as long as you’re willing to hurdle the remaining rules at countries’ borders you could be making fresh tracks in no time.
If, after two winters of disruption, you’re itching to get back on two planks, here are the best ski holidays to book now, all outside of France.
1. Verbier, Switzerland
Who for? Skiers up for a challenge
Verbier is an advanced skier’s playground – especially those in search of off-piste. The main resort in Switzerland’s largest ski area, the 4Vallées has a lively atmosphere and a chic reputation.The Warren Smith Ski Academy operates out the resort and runs courses throughout the season for those looking to progress their skills, from £299 for a weekend course. Ski Solutions offers Hotel Montpelier from £1,495, B&B, departing January 22 2022.
Entry requirements? Upon entry to Switzerland persons over 16 years of age must present evidence of full vaccination and a negative test result (PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, or rapid antigen withn 24 hours). Find more information here.
2. Soldeu, Andorra
Who for? Bargain hunters
Andorra is famous for offering good-value accommodation – but that doesn’t mean compromise in the Grandvalira ski area, linking Soldeu and Pas de la Casa. There is more than 200km of slopes and glorious sunshine in March. Inghams (01483 319513; inghams.co.uk) offers self-catering Residence Andorra Apartments from £489, based on four sharing a one-bedroom apartment. Departs March 20, 2020.
Entry requirements? Travel into Andorra requires transit via France or Spain. You must adhere to the entry requirements for France (not possible currently) or Spain (including, but not limited to, a health form and full vaccination status).
3. Lech, Austria
Who for? Skiers in search of luxury
Chic and stylish, Lech is one of Austria’s loveliest villages and home to some of its most indulgent hotels. Although sitting at a modest altitude, it is a safe bet, with big dumps of snow throughout the season and links to Zurs and St Anton. Ski Solutions (020 7471 7761; skisolutions.com) offers the five-star Hotel Post Lech Arlberg, with large swimming pool and spa, from £2,905, room only. Departs April 2, 2022.
Entry requirements? Travellers are required to show proof of a second vaccine dose, plus a booster (no more than 270 days before arrival) and negative PCR test taken 48 hours before entry. Arrivals must complete a pre-travel clearance form before entering Austria. Find more information here.
4. Zermatt, Switzerland
Who for? Couples in search of iconic luxury
Zermatt has it all: some of the best restaurants of any ski resort, fabulous shops, cafes and bars. Zermatt comes into its own from late-January/early-February onwards, when the sun is higher, the challenging slopes of the Stockhorn open and the restaurant terraces beckon. Powder Byrne offers Hotel Alex from £2350, including first-class train transfers excluding flights, departing January 30 2022.
Entry requirements? Upon entry to Switzerland persons over 16 years of age must present evidence of full vaccination and a negative test result (PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, or rapid antigen withn 24 hours). Find more information here.
5. Jackson Hole, USA
Who for? Expert skiers
With its extensive back country and legendary Corbet’s Couloir, Jackson Hole in Wyoming is famous for its challenging and spine-tingling off-piste runs, with prime powder conditions in January. Jackson Hole can be reached via a one-stop flight, with a number of connecting airports including Denver and Dallas, Ski Independence (0131 243 8097; ski-i.com) offers the four-star Wort Hotel, the resort’s iconic red-brick inn, from £1,948 B&B. Departs January 28 2022.
Entry requirements? Fully vaccinated Britons, as well as unvaccinated under 18s, can travel to the US, with proof of a negative test, but not those who are unvaccinated. Find more information here.
6. Revelstoke, Canada
Who for? Adventure seekers
Take the opportunity to escape the crowded Alps and head to Revelstoke, the only resort that offers cat-skiing, heli-skiing and backcountry skiing as well as a traditional pisted area all from one village base. Frontier Ski (020 8776 8709; frontier-ski.co.uk) offers the Sandman Hotel from £4,979, including a four-night Selkirk Tangiers heli-ski package, full board, equipment and guiding. Departs February 9, 2022.
Entry requirements? Fully vaccinated travellers are welcome in Canada, however they must present proof of this plus a negative result of molecular test result taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight. They may also be chosen to test on arrival to Canada, and must isolate at their chosen place of quarantine until the result is received. Unvaccinated Britons are not eligible to enter Canada. Find more information here.
7. Crans Montana, Switzerland
Who for? Intermediates looking to practise
February is still cold enough to keep the sunny south-facing slopes of Crans-Montana nice and crisp – intermediates can gain confidence here. Momentum Ski (020 7371 9111; momentumski.com) offers Hotel Olympic, with a traditional Swiss restaurant on-site, from £895 B&B. Departs February 3, 2022.
Entry requirements? Upon entry to Switzerland persons over 16 years of age must present evidence of full vaccination and a negative test result (PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, or rapid antigen withn 24 hours). Find more information here.
8. Sölden, Austria
Who for? Late-season bookers
Lots of efficiently-linked pistes make up the cruising terrain in Solden and most of it is above 2,000m, so snow conditions remain excellent until the end of the season. Inghams (01483 319450; inghams.co.uk) offers stays at Hotel Solderhof & Residenz Tamara, close to the resort centre, from £1,049. Departs March 26, 2022.
Entry requirements? Travellers are required to show proof of a second vaccine dose, plus a booster (no more than 270 days before arrival) and negative PCR test taken 48 hours before entry. Arrivals must complete a pre-travel clearance form before entering Austria. Find more information here.
9. Bansko, Bulgaria
Who for? Thrifty skiers
Bansko is a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Sofia airport, in the Pirin Mountains, close to the Macedonian and Greek borders. On a clear day there are views of the Aegean Sea. It’s a modern resort, with 75km of varied intermediate slopes covering two mountains. The resort is lively with some of the best budget apres ski anywhere in Europe. Balkan Holidays (0207 543 5555; balkanholidays.co.uk) offers the five-star Kempinski Grand Hotel at the foot of the slopes from £632, B&B, departing March 19 2022.
Entry requirements? A vaccination certificate or proof of recovery from Covid-19 is required for entry to Bulgaria. You are also required to take a Covid-19 PCR test 72 hours prior to travel. Find the latest information here.
10. Cervinia, Italy
Who for? Snow seekers
Snow-sure, resort-level green pistes make Cervinia a great choice for novices, with plenty of longer runs above Plan Maison for quick learners to progress to. Ski Line (020 8313 3999; skiline.co.uk) offers stays at Breuil Hotel, beside the nursery slopes, from £1,078. Departs April 3 2022.
Entry requirements? Italy's borders are open to British holidaymakers, and fully vaccinated visitors do not need to quarantine. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative test taken in the 48 hours before entering Italy and complete the EU’s digital passenger locator form, via the EU PLF application. Children under 18 do not need to quarantine if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent and (for those over the age of 6) have a negative test. Find more information here.
11. Selva, Italy
Who for? Couples looking for charm
Sëlva sums up all that is civilised about skiing in Italy: lots of cruising pistes, a good sunshine record and charming chalets. But most slopes are between 1,500m and 2,000m (4,900ft and 6,500ft) so you need to come in February for optimal conditions. Ski Total by Inghams (01483 319653; inghams.co.uk) offers stays at Chalet Soldanella from £1,159. Departs February 26, 2022.
Entry requirements? Italy's borders are open to British holidaymakers, and fully vaccinated visitors do not need to quarantine. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative test taken in the 48 hours before entering Italy and complete the EU’s digital passenger locator form, via the EU PLF application. Children under 18 do not need to quarantine if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent and (for those over the age of 6) have a negative test. Find more information here.
12. Breckenridge, USA
Best for? Beginners crossing the pond
Travelling to the USA for your first ski holiday might seem extreme but the ski area at Breckenridge is divided into five varied lift- and piste-linked sectors (Peak 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10). There are few nursery slopes in the world to rival the long, wide, gentle run at the foot of Peak 9 – and a couple of those rivals are at the foot of next-door Peak 8. The ski school offers packages of lessons, lift pass and equipment hire. Couple this with beginner-friendly chairlifts and magic carpets in the nursery areas and Breckenridge makes the ideal launch pad. Crystal Ski Holidays offers the Beaver Run Resort from £1,744 per person, room only, departing January 26 2022.
Entry requirements? Fully vaccinated Britons, as well as unvaccinated under 18s, can travel to the US, with proof of a negative test, but not those who are unvaccinated. Find more information here.
13. Baqueira Beret, Spain
Who for? Budget-conscious chalet fans
Spain might not be the first place you’d look for chalet accommodation, but you can find great options in Baqueira, a resort up at 1,800m in the Val d’Aran in the northern Pyrenees – where skiing and sunbathing collide. Ski Miquel (01457 821200; skimiquel.co.uk) has the 11-room Chalet Salana from £625. Departs March 20, 2022.
Entry requirements? Travellers from the UK (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) must be fully vaccinated to enter Spain – entry with just a negative PCR test is no longer possible. Find more information here.
14. Champoluc, Italy
Who for? Young families
Families with pre-schoolers can enjoy the quiet slopes in beginner-friendly Champoluc, part of the vast Monterosa ski area. Family operators offer some of their best prices this month too. Esprit Ski (01483 944516; espritski.com) offers Chalet Hotel De Champoluc, which includes a nanny service and children’s clubs, from £499. Departs January 23, 2022.
Entry requirements? Italy's borders are open to British holidaymakers, and fully vaccinated visitors do not need to quarantine. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative test taken in the 48 hours before entering Italy and complete the EU’s digital passenger locator form, via the EU PLF application. Children under 18 do not need to quarantine if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent and (for those over the age of 6) have a negative test. Find more information here.
15. Kitzbühel, Austria
Who for? Intermediates looking to cruise
Kitzbühel is a beautiful medieval town in the heart of the Austrian Tirol. It best suits intermediates and experts, and the potential for travelling on piste and clocking up some serious distance on your ski tracker is fantastic – boosted this winter by the new KitzSkiWelt Tour, the world’s largest ski circuit, which connects two of the Tirol’s leading ski areas in a 80km round trip. SNO offers Hotel Schloss Lebenberg from £1,139, departing January 29 2022.
Entry requirements? Travellers are required to show proof of a second vaccine dose, plus a booster (no more than 270 days before arrival) and negative PCR test taken 48 hours before entry. Arrivals must complete a pre-travel clearance form before entering Austria. Find more information here.
16. Whistler, Canada
Who for? School-age families
There are no half-term holidays in Canada, so if you don’t mind the longer flight, it is a great way to avoid the crush and peak prices of Europe. Crystal Ski (020 8610 3123; crystalski.co.uk) offers stays at the Listel Hotel, a family-friendly three star in Whistler, from £1,403, room only. Departs February 8, 2022.
Entry requirements? Fully vaccinated travellers are welcome in Canada, however they must present proof of this plus a negative result of molecular test result taken no more than 72 hours before their scheduled flight. They may also be chosen to test on arrival to Canada, and must isolate at their chosen place of quarantine until the result is received. Unvaccinated Britons are not eligible to enter Canada. Find more information here.
17. Cairngorm Mountain, Scotland
Who for? The brave last-minute bookers
Skiing in Scotland takes patience (for the snow to fall) and acceptance (that you might not be able to ski every day and will have to make the most of what else is on offer). Macdonald Hotels’ Aviemore resort has a choice of accommodation a short drive from Cairngorm Mountain Resort, which has 30km of pistes, accessed via Aviemore. Guests can book ski specific packages, provided by its partner Ski Norwest, including lift passes, equipment hire and lessons – there’s also a new ice rink open until Easter. A regular bus service runs from outside the hotel to CairnGorm. From £160 per room per night for two, half board at the four-star Macdonald Highlands Hotel, arriving February 15 20222.
Entry requirements? Travel is allowed between Scotland and England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Find the latest information here.
18. Trysil, Norway
Who for? Beginner families
Warmer temperatures make April the best time to visit Trysil – Norway’s biggest ski area – plus there’s a chance of seeing the northern lights. Ski Norway (0207 199 6015; ski-scandinavia.co.uk) offers stays at the Radisson Blu Mountain Resort & Residences in Trysil, with complimentary childcare, from £1,438 B&B. Departing April 3, 2022.
Entry requirements? All travellers arriving in Norway must get tested on arrival, regardless of vaccination status. Find the latest information here.
19. High Tatras, Slovakia
Who for? Thrill-seeking non-skiers
Peak-season skiing is expensive and busy, so instead opt for night sledging, snowshoeing and ice skating – some of the highlights of a week in the traditional Slovakian mountain village of Tatranska Lomnica. Explore (01252 240 506; explore.co.uk) offers a Slovakia Winter Adventure from £1,295 B&B. Departs February 19 2022.
Entry requirements? Entry is now permitted for fully vaccinated travellers from the UK regardless of any close connection to Slovakia. Find the latest information here.
20. Hindsæter, Norway
Who for? Non-ski adventurers
Temperatures are edging up in March, making it ideal for some serious hiking through the mountainous region of Hindsæter, with spectacular trails through frozen ice canyons. Inntravel (inntravel.co.uk) offers stays at the three-star Hindsæter Hotel from £1,345 full board. Departs March 6, 2022.
Entry requirements? All travellers arriving in Norway must get tested on arrival, regardless of vaccination status. Find the latest information here.
Need to know
Prices are per person based on a seven-night stay including half board, flights and transfers, unless stated otherwise, and are subject to availability. For families, prices are per person, based on a family of four. All holidays listed are packages with tour operators and have better legal protection than accommodation booked independently if the pandemic proves a problem in winter.
All countries listed are currently open to vaccinated British travellers travelling with unvaccinated children. Always check the latest travel advice before booking, including testing requirements in your destination.
