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: demand for next season’s peak dates is already climbing across the market.
Extras cover everything else that makes the week run smoothly: lift passes, 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.
