Ski Safari’s ‘Ski and City’ Winning Combinations
A skiing holiday doesn’t just have to be about the skiing alone. Offering ultimate winning combinations, it’s well worth the detour to some of the world’s most amazing cities, easily accessible from your destination ski resort. Who would have thought the Canadian resort of Tremblant would work well together with New York, or that a trip to Disneyland in Orlando could be combined with family skiing in Colorado?
For some of the most inspiring winter adventures look no further than tailor-made ski specialist Ski Safari, whose expertise can transform ideas into reality. And it seems the expert advice is clearly well received as according to the Ski Club of Great Britain 2015 Consumer Research, more people recommended Ski Safari than any other ski holiday company in the UK, with respondents awarding the highest NPS (net promoter score) of 79 to Ski Safari – up 13 points on last year.
City lights shine bright: Park City and Las Vegas
Skiing is probably the last thing that comes to mind when you think of Las Vegas, but owing to less crowds and better value accommodation options, the ski season is emerging as one of the best times to visit. Combine two great experiences into one with a week in Park City, followed by a stay in Las Vegas.
The hugely anticipated linking up of Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons is big news and the top of everyone’s must-visit list for 2015-16, as it’s set to become the largest ski area in the US this season. Connected by a new high-speed gondola, the development will create the largest single ski area in the United States, with more than 7,300 acres of skiable terrain. The new eight passenger gondola, named Quicksilver, will run from the base of the existing Silverlode Lift at Park City to the Flatiron Lift at Canyons.
Las Vegas is one of those destinations that should be visited at least once in your lifetime. From dazzling city lights, theme park attractions and lavish hotels, to an around-the-world experience along the Strip, taking in the New York City skyline, the Egyptian pyramids, Venetian canals and the Eiffel Tower.
How much?
Ski Safari (01273 224 060, www.skisafari.com) has a 10 night holiday, with 7 nights at the 3* Landmark Inn Park City on B&B, followed by 3 nights at the 3* Flamingo Hotel on room only on the Strip in Las Vegas. Prices start from £1350 per person, based on two sharing and include flights and transfers. Departs in January 2016.
American Dream at Easter: Winter Park and Disneyland
If you are looking for the ultimate incentive to make sure your children work hard this school year, then the promise of this Easter holiday will guarantee A*s all term. A week’s skiing in Colorado’s Winter Park, followed by a trip to Disneyland is a dream trip for children and one that parents will also treasure for years to come.
Less than two hours from Denver airport, Winter Park scores high as an affordable family destination, with ski-in, ski-out accommodation, a great snow record at Easter and enticing kids ski free offers. Regarded as one of the most attractive and varied ski areas in Colorado, there are seven distinct territories, which are all connected by a network of trails and mountain lifts. It’s the ease of getting around the slopes that makes it a favourite with families. From Denver, fly to Orlando to finish off your family holiday with a 3 day experience, discovering the magic of Disney.
How much?
Ski Safari (01273 224 060, www.skisafari.com) has a 10 night holiday, starting with 7 nights in a self-catering 1-bedroom condo at the 4* Fraser Crossing in Winter Park, followed by 3 nights visiting Disneyland and staying at the 3*+ Star Island Resort Kissimmee in a 1-bedroom self-catering mini-suite. Prices start from £5550 for a family of 4, based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 11 or younger), and includes all flights, transfers, mini-van hire in Orlando plus a 6 day lift pass in Winter Park. Departs 28th March 2015.
Why skiers go to Iceland: Breckenridge and Reykjavik
Choosing Reykjavik in Iceland as a city stopover en-route to the USA makes perfect sense for people looking for something a little unexpected. This flight route works well from Manchester and Glasgow airports too, which is welcome news for those favouring regional departures. Spend three nights in Reykjavik, a city like no other, with a strong emphasis on natural beauty and unique scenery, with its geysers, volcanoes, mighty waterfalls, glaciers, bubbling mud pools and the Northern Lights.
Over in Colorado and two hours from Denver airport is Breckenridge, one of the UK’s favourite US ski holiday destinations, popular for its great resort atmosphere, high altitude, bluebird days and snowsure terrain that suits just about everybody! Breckenridge skiing is divided across different ‘peaks’, and last year the opening of Peak 6 revolutionised the terrain, with an increase of 23% and became the largest terrain expansion in over a decade.
How much?
Ski Safari (01273 224 060, www.skisafari.com) has a 10 night holiday, starting with 3 nights on B&B in the 2* Hotel Fron in Reykjavik followed by 7 nights in a self-catering 3*+ Tyra Studio in Breckenridge, with prices starting from £1275 per person. Price based on two sharing and includes flights and transfers. Departs in January 2016.
A big apple and some maple syrup: Tremblant and New York
If you’re tempted to fly across the pond for your skiing holiday this winter, then why not enhance your holiday with a city break in New York. A week of Canadian skiing in Tremblant (recently awarded the accolade of #1 ski village in eastern North America for the 18th time by SKI Magazine) with 3 nights in New York is not the most obvious combination but it is a popular choice for couples and honeymooners, who want their budget to work harder.
With a relatively short flight time of less than seven hours, followed by a swift transfer to resort, you can be on the slopes in no time. In the heart of the Laurentian Mountains, explore Tremblant’s perfectly groomed slopes, the compact and colourful town centre, as well as the diverse range of off-the slope activities. New York needs little introduction and three nights is just enough time to tick off at least some of the must-see sights; Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park, Broadway and Fifth Avenue to name just a few.
How much?
Ski Safari (01273 224 060, www.skisafari.com) has a 10 night holiday, starting with 7 nights on B&B at the 4* Ermitage Du Lac in a Deluxe King Room in Tremblant, followed by 3 nights in New York at the 4* The Hyatt Times Square on room only, with prices starting from £1215 per person. Price based on two sharing and includes flights and transfers. Based on departure on 27th January 2016.
Frozen February half-term: Geilo and Bergen
Experience one of Ski Safari’s Scandinavian stopover breaks with the family this February half-term. Start the holiday with one night in the beautiful historic city of Bergen in Norway, which inspired the Disney blockbuster, Frozen. Instantly recognised by its old Hanseatic wharf, with its colourful timber clad building and cobbled streets, the city of Bergen is known as the gateway to the fjords.
Travel from Bergen on the iconic Bergen Railway Line, regarded as one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, travelling past fjords, through majestic national parks and across Europe’s largest mountain plateau. The ski resort of Geilo is directly on the line, making it the perfect city and ski combination, with the rail journey being a highlight in itself. As one of Norway’s oldest and most famous ski resorts, Geilo has great appeal for families looking for unintimidating and uncrowded slopes, superb ski tuition, quality childcare and genuine hospitality.
How much?
Ski Safari (01273 224 068, www.skisafari.com) has a n 8 night holiday, starting with 1 night on B&B at the 4* Grand Terminus Hotel in Bergen, followed by 7 nights in a junior suite at the 4*+ Vestlia Resort on half board in Geilo, with prices starting from £825 per person. Price based on two adults and two children sharing and includes flights, transfers and the world famous Bergen Railway journey. Departs 13th February 2016.
