What to Book in Advance to Hit the Slopes Stress-Free

Our step-by-step checklist for turning that dream ski holiday into a smooth and memorable experience.

What to book before departure

Flights

When to book: Over 1 month before departure

In most cases, flights will be the first thing to sort out. These will give you the exact date you’ll be in the resort. You can then plan everything else around these dates.

It’s worth considering the distance from the destination airport to the ski resort you’ve in mind. For some, this may influence the decision of which resort they ultimately choose to visit.

Booking Advice

• Check the airline’s baggage allowance for skiing equipment..
• Checking in oversized equipment takes extra time, so arrive at the airport early.
• Book early to secure the best deals and availability, especially during peak weeks.
• Package deals including flights, accommodation, and transfers may be cost-effective.

Transfer or Car hire

When to book: As soon as flights are booked

If you don’t plan on hiring a car, you’ll need to arrange transfers from the airport to your accommodation. Car rental and transfer companies may offer discounts by booking early.

Booking Advice

• Compare prices from different transfer companies to get the best deal.
• Consider shared transfers a more economical option.
• Ensure your car hire company lets you take the car into a bordering country.

Accommodation

When to book: Over 1 month before departure

Once the resort and dates are finalised, your next priority should be to sort out where you’ll stay during your ski trip. Booking early is key, as availability in desirable locations can be limited. Your budget will likely be the determining factor for the following considerations, but it’s always a great idea to look out for:

• Places close to the ski lifts or with shuttle services.
• To enhance your experience, opt for accommodation with on-site amenities like ski storage, drying rooms, and post-ski hot tubs.
• Consider booking accommodations with kitchen facilities for a more budget-conscious trip, as eating out at ski resorts can be expensive. 
• Check for additional fees such as resort taxes and cleaning fees, which may not be included in the initial price.
• Book through reputable websites or directly with the accommodation provider to avoid scams and ensure a smooth reservation process.

Ski or Snowboard Lessons

When to book: Over 1 month before departure

You’ll spend most of your time skiing or snowboarding, and with ski lessons, you’ll have a more enjoyable time doing so. If it’s your first time, lessons will enable you to safely discover what the mountain has to offer. If you’ve had a good amount of skiing experience, lessons will help you conquer terrain you previously couldn’t ski, master new techniques, or simply find the best slopes in the resort.

Places for ski lessons during peak weeks sell out weeks or months in advance. When you’ve booked somewhere to stay, booking lessons should be your next priority.

Booking Advice

• Consider group lessons if you’re on a budget or want to meet other similar ability skiers.
• Private lessons can offer one-on-one attention to help you progress faster.

Package trips

When to book: As early as possible for the best rates and options.

Package trips are an excellent, hassle-free way to go on a ski holiday. Package trips include flights, transfers, food and accommodation.

Some packages may also include lift passes, and tour operators will partner with ski schools and rental shops to arrange lessons and equipment hire. 

If you’re new to booking ski trips and are unsure what to book or are looking for the most stress-free experience, a package trip is perfect for you.

Booking Advice

• Double-check what is and isn’t included in your package. 
• If ski lessons aren’t included and you’re visiting during peak weeks, then be sure to book in advance.
• There will usually be one or two nights when no catering will be provided. It may be a good idea to book somewhere for dinner during peak weeks too.

Equipment Rental

When to book: 1 week before departure

Ski rental shops have everything you’ll need, if you don’t have your own equipment. We recommend reserving your rentals online beforehand to save and hassle.

What to Reserve 

• Ski and Poles or Snowboard Equipment  
• Ski or Snowboard boots
• Helmet (Although we recommend purchasing your own)

When should you collect your ski gear from the resort?

Depending on the rental shop, you can pick up your equipment at the resort. It’s always best to check with the specific rental shop for their hours and policies regarding gear pickup.

Another option is to reserve your rentals in advance and have them delivered directly to your lodging or hotel room.

It’s important to note that rental options vary from resort to resort, so it’s best to research and plan ahead before your trip. 

Collecting your rental gear the evening before your first lesson would be ideal. If you can’t, ensure you’ve sufficient time before your lesson to get your ski gear.

Lift Passes

When to book: As soon as your flights and accommodation are booked

Lift passes are your access key to ski slopes and lifts within the resort. Booking online will also save you time, as there are often lines for lift pass offices first thing in the morning. Particularly during peak weeks and school holidays. Check out our lift passes page for lift pass advice in any of our resorts.

Booking Advice 

• Purchase your lift passes online for discounted rates
• First-time skiers may prefer local ski area passes while they find their feet. To make the most of a full resort pass, you should be able to ski blue runs confidently.
• Consider purchasing a multi-day pass for better value if you plan on skiing multiple days.
• Bring your ID. Some resorts may require it when collecting your pass, especially if you book age-qualified discount passes.
• Be careful not to lose your pass. Replacing lift passes may be costly.

When should you collect your lift pass in the resort?

It’s a great idea to have everything sorted before the morning of your first lesson. Most resorts have lift pass collection machines open 24 hours a day, or if you arrive in time, the lift pass offices. If not, give yourself time to collect the lift pass and get to your lesson. Most lift pass offices are near our meeting point. If you need help with our meeting points or lift passes, check out our meeting point and lift pass guides.

Travel Insurance

When to book: At least 1 day before departure. 

Protect yourself in case of accidents or unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions that can affect your travel plans and increase the overall cost of your trip. 

Travel insurance will also cover repatriation and any medical expenses abroad.

Ensure that you purchase the added insurance with the lift pass, too. This only costs a few euros per day and means that you’ll be helped off the mountain immediately and free of cost.

• Research the types of coverage offered by different insurance companies before deciding. 
• Some policies offer benefits such as refunds for lift passes, equipment and medical expenses.