How to Design Your Perfect Package Ski Holiday

Back to Finding Your Perfect Ski Holiday

Building your own package gives you the best of both worlds: the flexibility of choosing exactly what you want, with the same financial protection as booking off the shelf, provided you put it together properly. It can feel daunting when there are so many options, so we’d recommend splitting it into four manageable steps: Accommodation, Resort, Transport and Extras.

Resort and accommodation come first, since they shape everything else about the trip; see our guides above for how to choose both.

Transport is next. Decide whether you’re flying, taking the Eurostar, or driving, and factor in the transfer from airport or station to resort door. Peak dates and school holidays sell out fastest, particularly for the most convenient transfer times, so this is one area where booking early really does pay off; ski holiday operators have already flagged limited availability on the most popular dates for the coming season.

Extras cover everything else that makes the week run smoothly: lift pass, ski and boot hire, lessons if you need them, and travel insurance with proper winter sports cover (a standard travel policy often won’t cut it for skiing, so check before you rely on one). Building these in from the start avoids nasty surprises once you’re in resort.

Whichever way you put your package together, financial protection should be non-negotiable. If your package includes a flight, look for ATOL protection; if it doesn’t, the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 still require the organiser to protect your money against insolvency, so long as you’re booking two or more elements together from a UK-based trader. ABTA membership is a further sign you’re booking with an operator that’s properly bonded and accountable if things go wrong.

It’s also worth keeping an eye on demand: this has been one of the busiest early-booking seasons InTheSnow has tracked in years, so building your package sooner rather than later gives you the best choice of dates, resorts and accommodation.

Accommodation

You have a lot of options when it comes to ski holiday accommodation. Usually, your budget and your type of group, will influence this decision most. The most popular options are:

Hotel – Perfect for those that want the fully serviced experience, regular room cleaning, with breakfast (and/or dinner) included and staff on hand for whatever you might need. You’ll also have the option of additional luxuries, such as a pool, spa or in-house ski hire.

Private chalet – For larger groups, a private chalet can be the most enjoyable option, as you will truly feel like you are in a home away from home, with your own private living area, dining area and bedrooms. Private chalets can be catered or self-catered and some include hot tubs or spa spaces.

Shared chalet – A shared chalet means that you are sharing the communal spaces with other guests. These are generally catered chalets, so guests will eat meals together at the dedicated meal times, providing a unique opportunity to socialise and meet new skiing friends!

Self-catered Apartment – Generally a cheaper option, the self-catered apartment is great for those on a budget. You will be provided with everything you might need in terms of bedding and kitchenware and won’t be disturbed by anyone during the week. This option provides the ultimate flexibility in terms of meals and timings and some even have their own pool and spa areas included within the residence.

Head to our page on Accommodation Options to find out more.

Resort

Your choice of resort will vary depending on the type of holiday you are after.

Family holiday? Try a smaller resort like La Rosiere, Les Gets or Obergurgl.
Powder hungry? A high altitude resort with plenty of off piste opportunity is essential! Try Tignes, St Anton or Avoriaz.
Romantic getaway? You’ll love the charm and relaxation of Livigno or Val d’Isere.
Budget slim? There are a lot of good value resorts out there, such as Alpe d’Huez or Flaine.

Find out which resort is right for you here.

Extras

Extras include any additional elements to your bookings, such as lift passes, ski and snowboard rental, lessons and transfers.

The great thing about Sunweb is that your lift passes are always included in the price of your holiday, so you don’t need to worry about adding these on as an extra. However, you can choose to upgrade your lift pass to cover the extended area (depending on the resort). So, for example, if you’ve booked a holiday that includes a Val Thorens lift pass, the extra would be to upgrade to the 3 Vallées pass, easily done through Sunweb.

If you do need ski hire, tuition or transfers, all of this can be handled through Sunweb, allowing for ultimate flexibility in all areas of your holiday, all in one place.