Why Easter Skiing Works Best For Families

Families who have left it too late to book February half-term but are still bound by school holidays should consider Easter as the perfect time to hit the slopes. With Good Friday falling earlier this year on 29thMarch, the choice of where to go is wider with many resorts still looking forward to another 4 weeks of the season. With the added benefit of quieter slopes, the Easter skiing experience is kinder on the wallet too with competitive lift pass and accommodation deals and many resorts giving kids ski free offers over Easter. And of course timing is key, if your child’s school breaks one or two days earlier than the majority then families can enjoy further savings of up to £200 per person on flights. Beautiful spring sunshine combined with good historical snow records over Easter in recent years shows Mother Nature is doing her bit for families too!

Check out Ski Safari’s top five suggestions to make the most out of your family holiday this Easter.

1. Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, USA

Located on Lake Tahoe’s beautiful North Shore, Squaw Valley has already had an amazing 20ft of snow this season. As clichéd as it sounds, the varied terrain means there is skiing for everyone and with access to six other ski resorts around the Lake, including Heavenly and Kirkwood, the possibilities are endless. Squaw is one of the few resorts in North America where nearly all the accommodation is ski in/out and the 5* The Resort at Creek is the ultimate choice, offering possibly the best value 5* luxury property in North America. The Resort’s appeal to families is a given, with its own chairlift, ice-skating rink and comprehensive children’s programme, with plenty to keep the little ones entertained - on and off the slopes. It’s easy to see why this is one of Ski Safari’s most popular destinations for families at Easter.

How much? Save £1650 on a 10 night family holiday at the 5* The Resort at Squaw Creek, with prices starting from £5550 for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) in a Valley View Suite on B&B, including return flights and resort transfers. Benefit from season pass prices too with unlimited skiing for £281pp (adults), for £209 (youth 13+) or for £150 (child). Departs 30th March 2013. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com 

2. Banff, Canada

With its long ski season running from November through to May, the Canadian resort of Banff tops the list for those looking for late season skiing. With less crowded slopes and spectacular scenery, coupled with sunshine skiing and perfectly groomed pistes Banff is close to perfection. The ski areas of Mt Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise means the variety of skiing that can be done using the tri-area pass is huge. Banff also ticks the boxes when it comes to offering family-friendly accommodation at family-friendly prices, especially at the recently renovated 3* Banff Inn.

How much? Book by 28th February and save £310 per person by taking advantage of the limited Air Canada flight sale. Stay 8 nights at the 3* Banff Inn in Banff, with prices starting from £939 per person in a Loft Family Unit, based on 4 sharing and including return Air Canada flights and resort transfers. Departs 3rd April. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com 

3. Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is one of those ski resorts that needs little introduction, mixing all the positives of skiing together to create a superpower that few resorts can match. Superb intermediate and advanced slopes, reliable snow conditions well into April, magnificent scenery, alpine charm and fantastic mountain restaurants – who says you can’t have it all? Zermatt is also one of the few resorts in the world which is skiable 365 days of the year, thanks to one of Europe’s largest glacier ski areas as well as the continent’s highest with lifts reaching 3,800m, for awe-inspiring views of the mighty Matterhorn. The resort is ideal for families whose children are already accomplished skiers and have the stamina to explore the terrain on offer.

How much? Stay 7 nights at the 3* Hotel Bristol in Zermatt, with prices starting from £3325 per family (based on 2 adults, 2 children) in a Family Room on B&B, return flights and 2nd class rail/bus transfers. Departs 23rd March. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 062 or visit www.skisafari.com 

4. Geilo, Norway

As one of Norway’s oldest and most famous ski resorts, Geilo has great appeal for families looking for unintimidating and uncrowded slopes. With superb ski tuition, excellent English-speaking instructors and first-rate childcare means children are well provided for. Off the slopes there is a superb choice of winter activities that families will love, including husky dog-sledding, horse sleigh rides and high rope courses. An outstanding family choice is the Vestlia Resort, thanks to its close proximity to the slopes and skiing amenities as well as housing a large indoor play area and family pool.

How much? Book by 15th February and save £200 per person on a 7 night holiday at the 4* Vestlia Resort Hotel in Geilo, with prices starting from £765 per person in a Ski Wing room on half board. Prices are based on on 2 adults and 2 children sharing and include return flights and resort transfers. Departs 31st March. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 068 or visit www.skisafari.com 

5. Åre, Sweden

Åre, Sweden’s world-class ski resort, is a wonderful all-round family resort with skiing from early December to early May. Supported by the excellent skiing instructors, children will progress soundly on the network of wide, welcoming and crowd-free slopes. Keeping them occupied off the slopes is easy too as Åre is one of the best places in the world to sample winter beyond just the downhill slopes. Ice-skating, sleigh rides, ice-fishing, dog-sledding, snow-shoeing, snowmobiling, tobogganing, ice-driving, zip-lining, snow-kiting and even moose kissing are all on offer to maximise winter family fun.

How much? Book by 28th January and save £125 per person on a 7 night holiday at the self-catering 3* Brunkulla Apartments in Åre, with prices starting from £735 per person. Departs 24th March. Price includes return flights and resort transfers. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 068 or visit www.skisafari.com 

Keep Your New Year Resolutions on Track in Switzerland

As another year beckons, thoughts turn to the familiar ritual of half-heartedly drawing up New Year’s resolutions. Make 2013 the year to travel and make resolutions you actually want to keep by shaping your travel plans to inspire you to succeed. Kick-start your most adventurous year yet with a skiing holiday to Switzerland and follow Ski Safari’s top five tips to help keep your New Year Resolutions on track.

Switzerland has enjoyed huge snowfalls over the past few weeks; with some resorts already having over 2 metres of snow on the slopes (Engelberg 240cm, Saas Fee 220cm) and powder being dominant off piste making for fantastic conditions.

1.      Live healthy and exercise more

The health and fitness benefits of a winter mountain holiday are obvious, with fresh mountain air to purify the body and stunning scenery to soothe the soul. The mountains know no age and whatever activity you choose to do the winter wonderland atmosphere is captivating. Over 60 years ago, when the road to Saas-Fee was built, the citizens of Saas-Fee decided that the village should remain car-free. Today, more and more people appreciate the peace and quiet and the clean air of a car-free resort. Besides skiing and snowboarding, there are plenty of activities promoting healthy living and gentle exercise, including snow shoe hiking, winter walking on prepared paths and cross-country skiing.

How much?

Stay 7 nights at the 3*+ Alpin Hotel in Saas Fee, with prices starting from £655 per person in a double room on B&B, including one night free, return flights and 2^nd class rail/bus transfers. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 062 or visit www.skisafari.com  

2.      Learn a new skill

Laax is considered Europe’s leading freestyle resort and the new Freestyle Academy – Europe’s first indoor training centre – means you can make your first steps in freestyle without having to throw yourself into the park and hope for the best.  To get going book a 2hr ‘Royal Coachman’ introductory course (CHF50) teaching the basic safety rules, code of conduct and your first Big Air Jump, before progressing to a 2 ½ hour evening course which takes you through your first front, back and side flips (CHF50). Comprehensive 5 day camps, offering a mix of indoor sessions and outdoor activities in one of the 4 snow parks are also available. Check out the video here to see what it is all about.

How much?

Save £200 per person and stay 7 nights at the 4* Rocks Resort in Laax in a self-catered 2-Bedroom Apartment, based on 4 sharing, with prices starting from £595 per person. Price includes flights, 2nd class rail/bus transfers and a 6-day lift pass. Departs 13^th January. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 062 or visit www.skisafari.com  

3.      Spend more time with family

Spending more time with your partner and children is instrumental in building strong family relationships and a family skiing holiday is perfect for strengthening the bond and creating treasured memories, away from the humdrum of everyday life. The picture-postcard resort of Villars, in the heart of the Rhone Valley, is family-orientated and favoured by families looking for convenience, choice and good value. 

How much?

The family-run 4* Hotel du Golf, in the centre of Villars, has seven nights  in a family room on B&B with prices starting from £3200 for a family of four, based on 2 adults/2 children aged 15 and under. Children, aged 9 and under, ski for free. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 062 or visit www.skisafari.com  

4.      Stress less and relax more

The pressures of striking a steady work-life balance are commonplace, however if you don’t reach this equilibrium the stress of everyday life can have serious consequences on your health. Start the year by switching off the constant stream of ‘technology traffic’ and reduce the temptation to get online by leaving your devices at home when you go on holiday. Blessed with stunning panoramic views, the Swiss resort of Arosa is ideal for those who want to take it easy both on and off the slopes. Home to one of the most superb spa hotels, the 5*+ Tschuggen Grand provides all the ingredients needed to help you truly relax, with a comprehensive spa menu, an outdoor relaxation pool, a meditation room and a chill-out lounge with fire place.

How much?

Stay 7 nights at the 5*+ Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa, with prices starting from £1275 per person, including one night free. Prices are based on 2 sharing a Bergoasen Double Room on a B&B basis and include flights and 2^nd class rail transfers. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 062 or visit www.skisafari.com   

5.      Make the most of your weekends

Weekends are precious and despite the fact that everyone greets Friday with gleeful anticipation, come Sunday evening many are left feeling unfulfilled, disappointed and wondering how we squandered away precious downtime. For those looking for a quick ski fix, without having to take a full week of annual leave, weekend ski breaks are just the thing to leave you feeling rejuvenated and re-energised for the week ahead. With easy access from Zurich airport, the resort of Engelberg is emerging on the international ski scene as a new, young and challenging weekend ski resort. The high altitude, snow sure resort has some superb off-piste skiing, surrounded by incredibly beautiful scenery, which makes this resort such a treasure.

How much?

Stay 3 nights at the 3* Garni Belmont in Engelberg, with prices starting from £405 per person, based on a double room on B&B and including flights and 2^nd class rail transfers. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 062 or visit www.skisafari.com

Pole Position for Ski Safari in North America

Offering first class knowledge, advice and service, Ski Safari has cherry-picked the Big Five of the ski news stories for North America and offered top tips and advice on how to tailor-make your trip this coming season.

WHISTLER & YUKON NORTHERN LIGHTS

Whistler is undeniably a must-ski resort thanks to its awesome skiing terrain, superior accommodation and energetic village vibe. This is one resort where booking early really does pay off and here’s why. If you book by 15^th November you can benefit from the Air Canada flight sale as well as fantastic accommodation discounts of up to 53% and lift pass offers of up to 52%, plus a reduction of 25% on non-ski activities such as snowmobiling dog-sledding and zip-trekking. With the money saved on booking early, enrich your skiing holiday with an add-on to see the Northern Lights in Yukon. Located next to Alaska in North West Canada, Yukon is one of the best sites in the world to witness this natural phenomenon.

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP:

Book by 15^th November and save £770 per person, where a 10 night holiday starts from £1559 per person, based on a Deluxe Slope-side Room in the 5* Fairmont Chateau Whistler in March. Pre-book your lift pass for 10 days and get one day free. A 3 night Northern Lights add-on to Yukon, including flights starts from £850 per person. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com.

EARLY SNOW BLANKETS LAKE TAHOE

The first major snow storm of the winter season has brought heavy snow to North Lake Tahoe, with up to 28 inches of new snow falling at Squaw Valley, ready for the first day of skiing on Thursday 25^th October. More snow is expected and will add to the 17-24 inches in Kirkwood and the two feet at the summit of Northstar. Heavenly received over 10 inches, which bodes well for the season since historically October snowfall has resulted in an above average winter season.  The cold temperatures have brought other advantages and the snowmaking systems have been fired up to create a good base and offer some of the best early season conditions when the resorts fully open next month.

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP:

Head to Heavenly in December and spend 10 nights at the 3* Lakeshore Lodge, with prices starting from £1440 per person, based on 2 sharing and including flights and transfers. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com.         

CITY BREAK IN REYKJAVIK & SKI COLORADO

Enhance your skiing holiday to North America by adding a city break. For 2012-13 you can supplement any holiday in one of the Colorado* resorts with a unique city break in Reykjavik, Iceland. Reykjavik offers a city break with a difference, with the emphasis on the natural beauty and unique scenery, with its geysers, volcanoes, mighty waterfalls, glaciers, boiling mud pools and the Northern Lights. With the Aurora Borealis set to be the brightest in over a generation, according to NASA, there couldn’t be a better time to catch a glimpse of this spellbinding spectacle. Fly from Heathrow, Manchester or Glasgow and take advantage of the free stopover in Reykjavik, making financial sense too as it is the cheaper flight option to Denver and locally prices in Reykjavik are at an all-time low. Over in Colorado and two hours from Denver airport is Copper Mountain, one of Colorado’s most modern and affordable resorts, following Intrawest’s investment and development. A favourite with the locals, Copper has an excellent snow record, superb terrain for all levels from easy cruisers to steeps and backcountry skiing on the wide open bowls. 

*(except Telluride)

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP: Book your holiday to Copper Mountain through Ski Safari and you can save up to 30% on lift passes compared to in resort prices. A 10 night city and ski holiday to Copper Mountain, with a 3 night stopover in Reykjavik (including Northern Lights and Blue Lagoon excursion) starts from £1345 per person. Price includes accommodation in a standard room in Copper Mountain and the Hotel Fron in Reykjavik, with flights to Denver and resort transfers. 6 day lift passes start from £192. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com.

ON THE SLOPE TO SUCCESS AT JAY PEAK

In just four years Jay Peak has been radically transformed from a neglected ski hill to become the hidden gem of Vermont. Following an exceptional investment of over US$200 million, the unfamiliar East Coast resort has been suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Since 2008 Jay Peak has seen the opening of new hotels and lodgings, an indoor ice arena, investment in lift infrastructure and snowmaking as well as the opening of the Pump House, a massive 60,000 square-foot indoor waterpark, all working towards the vision of creating a four season all-weather resort. Located just a two hour drive from Montreal, Jay currently has 385 acres of terrain and profits from the highest average snowfall on the East Coast. With an annual snowfall of 279in, Jay Peak receives more than Vail (346in) and more than Mont Tremblant (150in). The rebirth of Jay Peak continues with further investment and developments as it evolves into a top-class contender and a top choice for families too.

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP:

A 7 night holiday to Jay Peak starts from £1399 per person, staying at the 4+* Hotel Jay in Jay Peak. Price includes flights to Boston, car hire, 7 days lift pass, 7 days free Waterpark entry and free 2 Hour daily group lesson. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com.  Combine a holiday in Jay Peak with a city stay in Montreal or Boston from as little as £40 per person per night.

ASPEN/SNOWMASS TOP CHOICE FOR 2012-13

This coming winter season 2012-13 will see an investment of over $17.5million (£11 million) in infrastructure, improvements and innovations. The new mid-mountain Elk Camp restaurant on Snowmass has seen a substantial investment of £8.1million in the state-of-the-art restaurant. In addition Snowmass will add 230 acres of new terrain on Burnt Mountain this season, formerly unpatrolled backcountry this new terrain will result in Snowmass becoming the second largest ski area in Colorado. The iconic 5* The Little Nell resort and its award-winning restaurant Montagna will be refashioned following a £1.6 million investment and open up as Element 47 this season. The Hotel Jerome, another famous name in Aspen is also benefiting from a financial revamp. With such amazing improvements the question is not if, but when you should go.

SKI SAFARI TOP TIP:

The brand new Westin Snowmass will open its doors on 15^th November and if you book by this date you can save £350 per person on a 10 night holiday in January, with prices starting from £1595 per person, including flights and transfers.  A 7 night stay at the 5+* Hotel Jerome, offering the ultimate combination of über luxury and classic USA authenticity, starts from £2050 in January, including flights, transfers and a saving of £550 if booked by 15^th November. Call Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com.