Tips for planning group ski holidays

There is nothing better than group ski holidays. The goal: great days on the slopes, social evenings with friends, good food and a few drinks. Coming home feeling healthy from days spent creating happy memories in clean mountain air.  

Group ski holidays Tips:  

Booking a group ski holiday can be easy, alternatively it can be a lot of hassle – particularly for the chief organiser. There are some mistakes that are easily avoided, so follow these tips to ensure a smooth running group skiing holiday.  

Let the experts do the hard work Book through a tour operator rather than independently – the bigger the group the more this tip applies. If you go independent, the chief organiser becomes the tour operator, answering everyone's questions before the trip and acting as

Book through a tour operator rather than independently – the bigger the group the more this tip applies. If you go independent, the chief organiser becomes the tour operator, answering everyone's questions before the trip and acting as bookkeeper to ensure everyone has paid. Once in resort they take on the role of ski rep, and are expected to deal with everything from lost skis to lost luggage and weather updates to directions. It’s no fun for the ‘chief’ who feels responsible, or for the group who quickly realise the ‘chief’ does not have the answers. Booking with a travel company passes the responsibility and hard work to the experts. Admittedly independent can be cheaper, but once you factor in all the costs this is not always the case. And with some of our group deals, such as £100 off per person for groups of 6+, and free lift pass and ski hire for leaders in groups of 15+, it’s often cheaper through a tour operator.  

Less is more Pre-booking give the group as few options as possible, as more choice makes it harder to agree on anything. With so many variables keeping the options down is tough. Often saying, ‘we’ve got a great deal going to X resort on Y date for Z cost’ works best. In big

Pre-booking give the group as few options as possible, as more choice makes it harder to agree on anything. With so many variables keeping the options down is tough. Often saying, ‘we’ve got a great deal going to X resort on Y date for Z cost’ works best. In big groups there are a few key members who go every year, and also help convince others. Agree dates with them in advance, get them to choose between three deals you like the look of, then offer the chosen holiday to the wider group.  

Bigger is better For a group ski holiday to be a success you need the right resort. But with a range of skiing levels, and everyone wanting something slightly different from their time in the mountains, how do you choose a resort that will appeal to all? The answer is simple. Go to one of the big name ‘mega resorts’ that are part of a vast ski area. Such as St Anton in Arlberg, Tignes and Val

For a group ski holiday to be a success you need the right resort. But with a range of skiing levels, and everyone wanting something slightly different from their time in the mountains, how do you choose a resort that will appeal to all? The answer is simple. Go to one of the big name ‘mega resorts’ that are part of a vast ski area. Such as St Anton in Arlberg, Tignes and Val d’Isere in Espace Killy, Les Arcs and La Plagne in Paradiski, Meribel and La Tania in Three Valleys or Les Gets and Morzine in Portes Du Soleil. They’re popular because they offer great skiing for everyone from beginner to expert, along with snow sure slopes. But it’s not just on the slopes that mega resorts deliver. They have more bars, restaurants and facilities, offering more options to meet the needs of your group. From on-piste apres to sophisticated wine bars, extreme activities to relaxing spas, and family fun to banging nightclubs, they have every angle covered.  

Photo: St Anton  

Go catered Going catered will save you money compared to eating out in ski resorts, but for group ski holidays it offers another more important benefit. It takes away the awkward ‘where and when are we eating’ or ‘who’s cooking dinner tonight’ decisions. In catered

Going catered will save you money compared to eating out in ski resorts, but for group ski holidays it offers another more important benefit. It takes away the awkward ‘where and when are we eating’ or ‘who’s cooking dinner tonight’ decisions. In catered accommodation there are set meal times so you all eat together. Without any cooking, cleaning or decisions to make, it cuts out potential causes of friction leaving you to enjoy your friends company. We offer catered chalets at sensible prices – the perfect option for group ski holidays, as you and your friends get a chalet to call home for the week. We also offer catered hotels, they are a little less personal but more sociable for smaller groups and excellent value.  

Book early Booking early serves two great purposes. Firstly, there are always generous early booking discounts and bonus offers, such as free kids spaces and discounted lift passes. These deals are limited, so come autumn you’ll be paying full price. Secondly, by booking early you get exactly what you want. The bigger your party the more important it is to book early, ensuring you get accommodation to suit your group. You won't have to pay straight away we take a percentage of the price as a deposit when you make the booking.  

Booking early serves two great purposes. Firstly, there are always generous early booking discounts and bonus offers, such as free kids spaces and discounted lift passes. These deals are limited, so come autumn you’ll be paying full price. Secondly, by booking early you get exactly what you want. The bigger your party the more important it is to book early, ensuring you get accommodation to suit your group. You won't have to pay straight away we take a percentage of the price as a deposit when you make the booking.  

To find out more on how to book a group ski holiday to remember, visit our website: www.alpineelements.co.uk/groups