Where to Ski in 2024/25

Whether you're travelling outside peak periods or tied to the school holidays, searching for some mid-winter powder or looking at late-season options, we have a resort for you.

For a tailor-made price for any of the destinations below, or more ideas to suit your budget and preferences, enquire online or call our friendly, knowledgeable team on 01273 224060. We visit our resorts every winter and can advise on everything from where to ski and stay to the best activities, restaurants and bars.

By Andy Hemingway, Sales Manager / Norway & Sweden Product Manager

December is a great time of year to hit the slopes if you're looking to carve the first tracks of the season, soak up the festive cheer and enjoy the excitement of a new season before the crowds arrive for Christmas and New Year.

While many of our resorts see plenty of snow in November and early December, you'll find that most ski resorts don’t open until mid-December. So it's important to find a resort that has a great early-season snow record and is quick to open up its terrain once the flakes have fallen.

Norway's long season means that most of its resorts fit the bill for a December ski trip, but tranquil and family-friendly Norefjell takes top spot.

The resort celebrated its earliest-ever opening on 04 November 2023 after record-breaking snowfall in October! What's even more impressive is that this wasn't even particularly early for Norefjell, as it typically opens its lifts in mid-November.

Situated in a wooded section of the Scandes Mountains, most of the terrain here is best-suited to beginners, making it the perfect destination to warm up your ski legs at the start of the season. Once you're back in the groove, there are more challenging runs here too - Norefjell boasts the biggest vertical drop and the steepest black runs in Norway.

For more recommendations, read Where to Ski in December

Snow-capped trees, twinkling lights and yuletide cheer make Christmas the most magical time of year to be in the mountains. Plus, by late December, most of the runs will be open and the snow will have fallen in abundance, so there’s plenty of skiing to be done in between mulled wine and mince pies.

The last thing you want on your family Christmas ski trip is to feel stressed on the slopes. Make sure you find a resort that has a generally quiet ski area so that, come the Christmas rush, you won't feel swamped by other skiers.

The Norwegian resort of Geilo offers a uniquely charming setting for the perfect family Christmas. Picture yourself in a cosy log cabin amidst towering pines, mere steps away from the ski lifts. Down the road, warm and welcoming locals await to greet you in their picturesque snow-covered village, adorned with dazzling decorations.

With an unintimidating and uncrowded ski area, you can simply relax and enjoy spending your festive season cruising around on beginner-friendly, top-to-bottom blue and green runs. Plus, the non-ski activities here will be sure to get you in the Christmas spirit - try out a horse-drawn sleigh ride, dog-sledding, or wander around the Christmas market with the smell of mulled wine, Christmas cakes and fir trees filling the air.

Travelling to Geilo is easy and will take the stress out of your Christmas holiday. Just take a two-hour flight from London to Oslo followed by a three-hour-thirty-minute train ride on the famous Oslo to Bergen Railway line, a magical journey that will take you past fjords, forests and frozen waterfalls.

For more recommendations, read the Best Ski Resorts For Christmas

Heading for the slopes in January? Brace yourself for the season's heaviest snowfall! For seasoned experts or confident intermediates, it's prime time to explore the world's best terrain and exceptional powder conditions.

January is also your chance to visit some popular destinations where the runs can be busy during peak periods. Following the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year, anticipate blissfully uncrowded slopes and minimal wait times at the lifts.

You'll find few bigger and better ski areas than Whistler in Canada, and January is the prime time to be there. By then, all 8,171 acres of winding groomers, steep chutes and alpine bowls will be open. During the last five seasons, Whistler has seen an average 282cm of snowfall, more than any other month. This is the perfect time to enjoy epic powder and tackle legendary spots like Harmony and Symphony Bowls, Seventh Heaven, and for the really daring, Spanky's Ladder!

Whistler's hugely varied terrain draws skiers of all abilities from all over the world, which can make peak periods on the busy side, especially at weekends. January offers a great opportunity to enjoy North America's largest ski area without the crowds, especially the first week after the holidays which is the quietest week of the season.

For more recommendations, read Where to Ski in January

If you're looking to ski in February and you're not tied to school holiday dates, make sure you skip the half term week. You'll find quieter slopes and much better rates than during the school holidays.

February is one of the very best months for powder, with plenty of new snow falling on deep and stable snowpacks. Your aim should be to find resorts that benefit the most from these mid-season conditions and consistently deliver outstanding powder skiing.

Located on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko reigns supreme for February snowfall, boasting an average of 246cm and 22 snowy days. With four interconnected ski areas, there's something for all levels, but to truly savour some of the planet's finest powder, you'll need to be comfortable having off-piste adventures. Glide through the perfectly spaced silver birch trees between runs for an unforgettable experience.

There's so much snowfall here in February that we've actually had customers stay a week and not catch sight of Mount Yōtei, the impressive volcanic peak near the resort. Everyone loves a bluebird day, but with so much powder around, you don't miss the blue skies too much!

For more recommendations, read Where to Ski in February

Being tied to half term holiday dates means that you'll be travelling to the slopes at the same time as many other families, but rest assured, this doesn't have to mean long lift queues and crowded slopes! We have a range of destinations that avoid the congestion you'll commonly find in the Alps.

For half term skiing, look out for destinations that go under the radar in the international ski market. You'll also want resorts that have family-friendly atmospheres and accommodation options as well as first-rate ski schools and gentle runs.

Up-and-coming Gausta has a family-friendly environment, quiet slopes even during peak season and runs for all abilities. If you have a mixed-ability family or even if you're just looking to learn, this spectacular Norwegian resort is a great place to spend half term.

For a special treat, take your kids on a top-secret train ride up and through a towering mountain to a Cold War listening post. It’s like a journey to a Bond villain’s hideaway! You'll emerge at the towering peak of Gaustatoppen and be greeted by awe-inspiring panoramas of the Telemark region. The more adventurous can then ski back down an exciting off-piste run.

Gausta was new to our programme this year and we were eager to experience it for ourselves. So this April, our entire team travelled to the resort for a weekend of magical late-spring skiing. The slopes were still covered in snow and Gaustatoppen looked resplendent in the spring sunshine. And we weren't the only ones who were impressed by Gausta this year. Our customers who travelled there with their families absolutely loved it too.

"The resort was so beautiful and easy to navigate... The slopes were great for myself and two children as they loved to pop in and out of the trees. The size of the resort meant we didn't get lost, we got to know the quiet red, and beautifully winding green very well. It felt very local, friendly and chilled. A relaxing, fun time had by all." - Sarah Elek

For more recommendations, read Where to Ski at Half Term

March is a special time of year to ski. In the majority of resorts, the snow has yet to turn slushy, the snowpack is still deep, and the spring sunshine and longer days make skiing all the more glorious. There's also the bonus of fewer crowds on the slopes later in the season.

In March, you should seek out resorts with extended seasons for optimal snow conditions. It's also the perfect opportunity to explore typically bustling resorts without the crowds.

Set amongst the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff enjoys a long ski season that usually lasts into late May. With their relatively high altitude, the three ski areas of Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, all easily accessible from the town of Banff, retain snow far better than other resorts. The snowfall in March is really impressive too with an average of two powder days per week!

Banff is another very popular destination which you can enjoy without the crowds when you travel later in the season. Plus, with a gigantic 7,748 acres of varied terrain across the three ski areas, you'll have plenty of room on the slopes.

With sunnier skies and warmer weather, March is the best time to revel in non-skiing activities, and Banff has plenty to offer. The largest snow-tube park in the Rockies, located at Mt. Norquay, is fun for all ages with the park staff claiming the screams of excitement predominately come from the adults rather than the kids!

For more recommendations, read Where to Ski in March

April may have a bad reputation for snow-barren slopes, but it's actually one of the smartest times to ski. With fewer skiers in the resorts, you can find much lower rates, much quieter slopes and, as long as you choose the right resort, plenty of snow to make your turns.

All you need to do is look at snow records to see how viable late-season skiing is. The good thing is, we have plenty of resorts that have the northerly latitudes and the snowfall that allow you to ski well into spring.

The resorts on Norway's West Coast have some of the longest seasons and receive some of the highest snowfall totals in Europe, consistently staying open until the end of April.

Our team can vouch for that personally, having skied and stayed in Myrkdalen and Voss in late April both this year and last. On both visits, they enjoyed near-empty slopes, fantastic snow conditions and great weather. These resorts are still relatively unknown in the UK ski market and stay quiet even over peak weeks, so in April you'll practically have the mountains to yourself!

April is also the perfect time to take a trip into the fjords, easily accessible from both resorts as a day trip or with an overnight stay in Flåm. Essential activities include an electric fjord cruise along the beautiful Aurlandsfjord and UNESCO World Heritage Nærøyfjord, and the world-famous Flåm Railway - one of the steepest in the world with magical views at every turn. With more time you can also enjoy hair-raising RIB Boat tours, snowshoeing, beer tasting, a Viking Village and more.

This area can be very busy in the summer with cruise ships and bus tours, so April is prime time to visit when the weather is warmer but the crowds are yet to arrive.

You can combine Flåm with skiing in both Myrkdalen and Voss on our Ski & Fjord Explorer Ski Safari. Or if you like to earn your turns, our Freeride the Fjords Ski Safari includes two days of guided ski touring from Vatnahalsen Mountain Lodge.

For more recommendations, read Where to Ski in April

If you're tied to school holiday dates, Easter can be a better option for a great family ski holiday than the February half term. While there isn't as much snowfall as in February, you'll be able to enjoy the slopes with fewer crowds, longer days and much more sunshine.

We regularly encourage our customers to travel to Norway during the Easter holidays, with its gentle terrain and uncrowded resorts. In fact, we have a whole blog on just that topic, so make sure you check out Where to Ski in Norway at Easter.

But if you want to think a little bigger for your family's Easter ski holiday, why not make the most of your longer break from school and head for some spectacular skiing in North America?

For those seeking a resort that maximizes late-season snowfall and springtime sunshine, Heavenly in California is an unparalleled choice. Despite its location in the Golden State, Heavenly surprises with its exceptional late-season snowfall, outshining destinations much further to the north. With the Easter holidays coming late in April 2025, you'll need to find a resort that has a strong snow record and Heavenly emphatically ticks this box.

All that snow doesn't mean you'll miss out on California's famous sunshine. Basking in an astonishing 300 days anually, Heavenly practically guarantees bright skiing conditions, enhancing the experience of descending the slopes while revelling in the breathtaking vistas of nearby Lake Tahoe.

Heavenly was once a hotspot for UK skiers, but post-Covid, numbers dropped due to rising costs. However, we believe there's fantastic value to be had once more, with great deals on lift passes offering access to vast acreage across multiple resorts. Purchase the Tahoe Value Pass for £420 and you'll enjoy access to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood.

For more recommendations, read Where to Ski at Easter

If you find a resort that suits your requirements for the 2024/25 season, make sure you get in touch as soon as possible. The earlier you book your ski trip, the better your chances of landing your preferred destination, accommodation and dates all at the best price. Putting together your perfect ski trip is simple with the help of our team of experts. Enquire online or call 01273 224060.

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