If you live in the UK then there’s a good chance you’ve heard the term ‘Staycation’ uttered once or twice by friends, family members – and maybe even yourself. Last summer certainly was the time of the domestic holiday. We’ve all got to know our fantastic home mountains like the back of our hand while fighting everything the classic British weather could throw our way.
Finally, however, overseas travel is now back on the cards and with that, the classic ski and snowboard trip is set to make a comeback.
As the nights begin to draw in, and UK hill-goers head into hiding for the autumn, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Crystal Ski Holidays to big up the upcoming ski season and bring you all the reasons why this is the winter to book yourself onto a ski trip.
The Resorts Are Opening
It’s on, people. All of the major ski countries in Europe and North America are set to open up this winter with France the latest to confirm that it’ll be opening up its slopes to visitors from around the world. “The message is very clear,” said the Secretary of State for Touring, “This winter, we will ski!”
The Obvious Reason: Skiing And Snowboarding Are Amazing Ways To Get Around
What’s not to like about the beautiful art forms of skiing and snowboarding? Yes, on first inspection, it might just look like two planks (or one, if you prefer) of wood sliding over snow crystals, but skiing and snowboarding are one of few activities that lets you traverse between countries, mountain ranges and vast valleys all under your own steam (with a bit of help from a ski lift, of course).
It Keeps You Active
There’s a good chance that if you’re reading this magazine you’re going to be a pretty active character. If you’re someone who likes to keep the fitness topped up throughout your holiday, then skiing and snowboarding are fantastic ways to work out (especially if you want to improve your quads and glutes).
Also, if your ski ability is up to scratch, there’s also the option to escape the hustle of ski resort life and give ski touring and splitboarding a go. Trail runners will come to love the similarities between running and ski touring, with efficiency being the name of the game.
When you’ve got to the top of the summit, you’ve usually got miles of totally untracked snow leading all the way back to the resort. Ski touring at altitude with ascents of over 1,000 metres, that’ll definitely get the blood pumping.
There’s So Much To Do (Aside From Skiing)
News just in: you don’t actually need to be a diehard ski fanatic to go on a ski holiday. You could, if you prefer, decide to go on a couple ski lessons throughout the week, then spend time on the off days catching up with the range of other activities usually available from the resort.
Husky racing, spa trips, and ice diving. These are just a few of the many extra activities to get stuck into from the comfort of a ski resort. And, if your legs are feeling heavy after too many days on the hill, then you can dive into the fantastic menus that come with the Alps. About the food….
The Food’s Great
Well… the food’s great if you’re a fan of a carbohydrate or two (or three), but, then again, who isn’t? Although you might not get away with eating quite literally a bucket load of cheese while back in the UK, it’s totally fair game in the Alps. There’s almost too many carb-loaded favourites to list, but a few standout options for us would have to be the classic cheese fondue, tartiflette and raclette. Cheese on cheese on cheese.
More Time In The Mountains
Yes. This one’s quite obvious, to be honest, but what’s not to like about spending more time in the mountains – especially when you’re sounding yourself in some of the most famous 4,000 metre peaks in the Alps? Fresh air, extraordinary wildlife and dramatic mountain ranges as far as the eye can see, there’s a lot to like about spending time in the mountains. Plus there’s no better way to start planning your next summer hiking trip than when you’re out there scanning the local IGN maps.
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With Crystal Ski Holidays, there’s a choice of over 100 resorts and more than 15 UK airports. There’s also three easy ways to book – online, via phone, or in one of their hubs. All of their holidays include flights, transfers and accommodation as standard. You can add lift passes, equipment hire, and ski school booking so everything’s ready for when you arrive.
Throughout your experience with Crystal Ski Holidays you’ll get expert service every step of the way (lean on this expertise, and take the faff out of the equation). You can download the free Ski Explorer app to get up-to-date snow reports, resort info and more.
Travel’s naturally all a bit uncertain at the moment but you can rest assured that Crystal Ski Holidays serve up ABTA & ATOL protected ski packages. They’re also promising COVID-19 flexibility, fee-free changes and package refund guarantee.
Head to the Crystal Ski Holidays website for more information on the Crystal Holiday Promise.
