The snow and ski season is in full swing throughout Europe. With many adventurous holidaymakers set to use the Easter break as an ideal opportunity to hit the slopes, carrentals.co.uk has picked out five of the best resorts renowned for their breathtaking scenery, impressive pistes and lively après-ski.
And to help snow-lovers get the most out of their trip, the leading car hire comparison site has highlighted some great deals on 7-day vehicle rental. From as little as £17 per day, holidaymakers can enjoy the freedom to explore local areas at their own leisure.
1. Zermatt, Switzerland – Picturesque and peaceful, Zermatt attracts a steady stream of visitors all year round. Its snow-sure slopes are suitable for families, intermediates and experts, making the resort an ideal choice for an Easter break. There’s also plenty of fun to be had off the slopes as Zermatt is jam-packed with galleries, activity parks and traditional shops, all within easy reach of the village centre.
(*Car hire: Mini – £181.59 or £26 per day / 4 x 4 – £1011.25 or £144.50 per day)
2. Saas-Fee, Switzerland – Known as the ‘Pearl of the Alps’, Saas-Fee is recognised as one of Switzerland’s more family-friendly ski resorts. There are plenty of flat slopes for beginners, supervised activities for children and extensive off-piste routes for advanced skiing, making the area an ideal destination for skiers of all abilities. Due to its high altitude, this charming traditional Swiss mountain village receives a greater amount of snow than any of the other resorts in the region, supporting a long ski season and skiing on the glacier in summer. (*Car hire: Mini – £181.59 or £26 per day / 4 x 4 – £1011.25 or £144.50 per day)
3. Val D’Isère, France – Val D’Isère makes up one half of the Espace Killy ski area, which it shares with neighbouring Tignes, and is a popular destination for snow-lovers. The area has over 300km of marked pistes as well as unlimited off-piste skiing, while its scenery is full of character and charm. Once a small farming village, Val D’Isère has grown into a modern, stylish Alpine region which also boasts a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants. (*Car hire: Mini – £118.16 or £17 per day / 7-Seater – £335.34 or £48 per day)
4. Chamonix Mont Blanc, France – As the ‘go-to’ place for Alpine thrill-seekers, Chamonix is famous for its steep runs and dramatic scenery. It played host to the first-ever Winter Olympics in 1924 and has since been considered by many as the true birthplace of alpine skiing. There are 145 trails that make up an amazing 800km of skiable landscape, spread over 13 different areas. For advanced skiers, there is also extensive ‘expert-only’ terrain that spans 30,000 acres. Après-ski is done in style in Chamonix, with an excellent range of restaurants and bars that are easily accessible for tourists. (*Car hire: Mini – £237.82 or £34 per day / 7-Seater – £584.26 or £83.50 per day)
5. Ischgl, Austria – With its busy night spots and annual mountainside music festivals, Ischgl has become one of the liveliest resorts in the Alps. It is one of the biggest interconnected ski areas in Tirol with over 238km of runs and an exceptional terrain park for freestyle skiers. Fashionable with an excellent snow record! (*Car hire: Mini – £183.14 or £26 per day / 7-Seater – £509.04 or £72.50 per day)
*Prices are based on 7-day rental from 4th April 2015 and are subject to change.