Top early booking ski offers, with Ski Safari
The sun might be shining (finally) but it’s never too soon to book a ski holiday, especially with the wide selection of early-booking offers from Ski Safari available. Celebrating 20 years as specialists of tailor-made ski and snowboarding holidays across the world, Ski Safari can share its first-hand knowledge of numerous resorts, to make sure your time on the snow ticks all the boxes.
So whether it is a heli-skiing adventure in North America, the wintry depths of Scandinavia or the white heights of Switzerland, book now to get the best prices.
Go big in Park City, USA
America’s largest ski resort offers a huge variety of mixed ability terrain and a superb selection of bars and restaurants. Make the most of neighbouring resort Deer Valley, or visit Snowbird and Alta, both of which are less than an hour away by car. After spending a day on the slopes, stroll through Park City’s Main Street, which has colourful old buildings – a beautiful spot for a bit of après.
Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) offers a 10-night stay at 3* The Yarrow – Double Tree by Hilton in Park City from £1,835pp (£3,670 total – saving up to 30%) for two adults sharing. The price includes return flights (London to Salt Lake City) and airport transfers or hire car. Food, lift passes and ski hire extra. Departs 7 January 2017. (Book by 31 August 2016 to save up to 30%.)
Tri the best in Banff, Canada
Made up of three ski areas, smaller Mount Norquay, bigger Sunshine Village and huge Lake Louise, Banff showcases spectacular high-mountain scenery, reliable snow and many shops, restaurants and bars. It also has a good selection of off-slope activities, including skating, snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and ice canyon walks, plus the Red Earth Spa at the Caribou Lodge is well worth a visit.
Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) offers a 10-night stay at 3* Banff Aspen Lodge in Banff from £1,050pp (£2,100 total – saving up to 30%) for two adults sharing. The price includes return flights (London to Calgary) and airport transfers or car hire. Food, Tri-Area lift passes and ski hire extra. Departs 10 January 2017. (Book by 31 August 2016 to save up to 30%.)
World’s best – Whistler Blackcomb, Canada
North America’s biggest ski area, Whistler, has it all: high bowls, stunning alpine scenery, pedestrianised village centres and lively après ski. Its varied terrain with chutes, gullies, backcountry guiding and heli-skiing attracts expert skiers and snowboarders from far and wide, and Whistler’s extensive sweeping slopes are ideal for beginners and intermediates too. In the evening, dine at one of the many restaurants – serving a broad variety of food – before enjoying a drink at one of the resort’s lively bars.
Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) offers an 11-night stay at 5* Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Whistler from £1,539pp (£3,078 total – saving up to 55% with a free room upgrade) for two adults sharing. The price includes return flights (London to Vancouver), access to the luxury spa and airport transfers or car hire. Food, lift passes and ski hire extra. Departs 9 March 2017. (Book by 31 August 2016 to save up to 55% and get a free room upgrade.)
Powder & piste in Panorama, Canada
Home to one of North America’s top 10 biggest verticals (1,220 metres), the charming, purpose-built resort of Panorama offers nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. Blast through Taynton and Extreme Dream (two expert bowls), carve down corduroy pistes and enjoy a heli-skiing adventure into the wild. Plus, make the most of the park, pipe and floodlit mini park, and Canada’s largest outdoor hot-pool complex in the upper village, where swimmers can enjoy panoramic views of the mountains.
Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) offers a 10-night stay at 3* Pine Inn – Bronze in Panorama from £995pp (£1,990 total, saving 50% off accommodation, transfers, lift passes and rentals, plus children (18 years and younger) ski for free) for two adults sharing. The price includes return flights (London to Calgary) and airport transfers or car hire. Food, lift passes and ski hire extra. Departs 27 February 2017. (Book by 31 August 2016 to save 50% off accommodation, transfers, lift passes and rentals, plus children 18 years and younger ski for free.)
Luxury for less in Beaver Creek, USA
Beaver Creek ticks all the boxes, with a compact traffic-free village centre, slopes to suit all abilities, and numerous speedy chairlifts to whisk keen skiers and snowboarders up the mountain. Its impressive snow record (circa eight metres each year) plus its mountain restaurants and off-slope activities – including galleries, an ice rink, ballooning and dog sledding – means there is never a dull moment.
Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) offers a seven-night stay at 5* The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek from £2,585pp (£5,170 total – saving 30%) for two adults sharing. The price includes return flights (London to Denver) and airport transfers or hire car. Food, lifts passes and ski hire extra. Departs 10 January 2017. (Book by 1 September 2016 to save 30%.)
Summit high in authentic Breckenridge, USA
Founded in 1859, the high altitude resort of Breckenridge started life as a busy gold-mining town. Nowadays, the snow-sure slopes attract skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, especially those new to the sport thanks to its well-appointed nursery slopes and green runs spread over nine peaks, while the town retains its authentic charm. Plus, there’s a specialist Nordic Centre in the woods that has 32 kilometres of cross-country trails and 15 kilometres of snowshoeing paths.
Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) offers a seven-night stay at 5* One Ski Hill Place in Breckenridge from £1,989pp (£7,956 total – saving up to 30%) for four adults sharing a two-bedroom condo. The price includes return flights (London to Denver) and airport transfers or hire car. Food, lifts passes and ski hire extra. Departs 10 January 2017. (Book by 15 September 2016 to save up to 30%.)
Steep & deep in Jackson Hole, USA
The Wild West resort of Jackson Hole not only offers shedloads of snow and big vertical, but first-rate restaurants and lively après-ski activities. The resort celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, with the new Teton chair which opened up previously only hike-to terrain, yet remains an unspoiled location, with 2,500 acres of slopes. Plus, with Yellowstone National Park 100 km away, visitors can jump on a snowcat or snowmobile and make the most of the beautiful scenery.
Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) offers a 10-night stay at 4* Hotel Terra in Jackson Hole from £1,695pp (£3,390 total – saving 15%, and every fifth night is free) for two adults sharing. The price includes return flights (London to Jackson Hole) and airport transfers or hire car. Food, lift passes and ski hire extra. Departs 10 January 2017. (Book by 16 September 2016 to save 15%, and receive every fifth night free.)
Explore the vast resort of Vail, USA
Comprising challenging powder bowls, beautiful natural-wooded slopes and a largely traffic-free centre, Vail’s all about having an adventure. The slopes, situated between 2,475 – 3,525 metres altitude, are snow sure and, skiers or snowboarders of any standard can enjoy the three terrain parks, featuring jumps, mini pipes and super pipes.
Ski Safari (01273 224060, www.skisafari.com) offers a 10-night stay at 5* The Sebastian Vail in Vail from £3,175pp (£6,350 total – saving up to 35%) for two adults sharing. The price includes return flights (London to Denver) and airport transfers or hire car. Food, lift passes and ski hire extra. Departs 10 January 2017. (Book by 28 September 2016 to save up to 35%.)
In awe of Åre, Sweden
Sweden’s biggest ski area benefits from un-crowded pistes, beautiful views down to the lake (which freezes in the winter) and an exciting selection of Nordic activities. The slopes are mainly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers, although there is heli-skiing on offer along with two bowls for experts. It’s a popular resort with families too, because children (under the age of seven) receive free lift passes.
Ski Safari (01273 224068, www.skisafari.com) offers a seven-night stay at 3* Renen Hotel in Åre from £475pp (£950 total) for two adults sharing. The price includes return flights (London to Åre Östersund), airport transfers or hire car and breakfast every day. Lunch, dinner, lift passes and ski hire extra. Departs 8 January 2017. (Book by 17 August 2016.)
Super family holiday in Norway, Scandinavia
Myrkdalen is the biggest ski resort in western Norway, with a family-friendly ski area, minimal lift queues, exciting terrain parks and challenging off-piste terrain. Comprising 22 varied slopes and nine lifts, Myrkdalen caters for skiers of all abilities, but especially those new to the sport. Plus, the dedicated kids’ area offers alternative on-snow activities, such as sledging.
Ski Safari (01273 224068, www.skisafari.com) offers a five-night stay at 4* Myrkdalen Hotel in Myrkdalen from £775pp (£3,100 total) for a family of four (two adults and two children up to the age of 12). The price includes return flights (London to Bergen), airport transfers or a hire car, half-board accommodation and lift passes. Lunch and ski hire extra. Departs on 12 February 2017. (Book by 24 August 2016.)
Enjoy Easter in Laax, Switzerland
With its high slopes, extensive off-piste runs and reliable snow record, Laax is an ideal place to go skiing during Easter. The 235 kilometres of slopes, serviced by high-speed chairs and gondolas, are suited to the full range of ski abilities, and there is even a dedicated Freestyle Academy for those wanting to take their park skills to the next level.
Ski Safari (01273 224062, www.skisafari.com) offers a seven-night stay at 4* Rocks Resort in Laax from £715 pp (£2,860 total) for a family of four (two adults and two children up to the age of 12). The price includes return flights (London to Zurich) and airport transfers or hire car. Food, lift passes and ski hire extra. Departs 2 April 2017. (Book by 17 August 2016.)
