Group Ski Holidays

A ski holiday with friends and family can be a great idea. Skiing is fun, sociable, and involves spending time with people, whether that’s on the slopes or eating in the evening and of course enjoying all the après ski.

Choosing the Right Resort

You need to be careful when booking the ski resort as it needs to be able to offer the right skiing or boarding for everyone in your party and the accommodation also needs to be right. You may want a chalet large enough for all, fully catered or not, a hotel allowing people more privacy and you may also need to think about any children in the group.

If you draw the short straw and you are the organiser of the group ski holiday a good starting point is to find out what level of skier or boarder each person is. This will help you start with the best resorts for mixed groups. We have therefore come up with what we think are the best resorts for mixed ability groups and also resorts that offer a good range of accommodation. Let’s start with the Brits favourite - France.

Group Ski Holidays to France

France is a great choice as often the transfers are short so you get to the slopes quickly but many offer great variety for all levels in the group.

Méribel is always a favourite with the Brits. Part of the Three Valleys ski area, Méribel really does have something for everyone. A free shuttle bus will get you round the resort which is made up of a number of different hamlets. The terrain suits both beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers but because you are part of the Three Valleys there is always the option of getting a ski pass that lets you access Courchevel, St Martin de Belleville and Val Thorens.

In addition, the accommodation is good, plenty of ski in ski out chalets and because it is so favoured by the Brits, it is well set up for all your needs.

Tignes is also a good option for mixed groups. It is part of the Espace Killy so with the right pass you can also access the beautiful Val D’Isere. The slopes locally cater for all levels but probably offers intermediates the best deal, although experts will love the off piste here. Boarders will also like it, there’s a Boadercool area and a mini boarder cross.

The après ski is good, some even rate it as the best nightlife in the Alps. So if you have some party goers in your party this could be a good resort. For any non-skiers in your party there is also plenty to do aside from shopping. You could choose from dog sleds, ice climbing, ice diving even!

What About Austria?

Austria used to be a firm favourite with the Brits and went out of fashion for a while only to make a comeback! It does offer good value for money and is very picturesque the only downside can be the altitude so check snow conditions carefully.

Our pick of Austria for mixed groups is Mayrhofen and Kitzbuhel. Mayrhofen offers good skiing for all and really welcomes children. Outside of the local area you can also get a pass for the Zillertaler Superskipass where you can access an amazing 671km of additional runs, so definitely something for everyone. The après ski here is also really good with the infamous Igloo bar on the Ahorn. For non-skiers there’s a great leisure centre with pool, gym and other wellness facilities where you can enjoy being pampered while others work hard on the slopes.

Cost-Effective Andorra

Also, let’s not forget Andorra, particularly if money is tight and you don’t want to price anyone out of the holiday. Pas de la Casa is a sunny, well priced resort. Here you have access to 210km of piste but you can also access Soldeu-El Tarter, Encamp, Grau Roig and Canillo.

There are a good range of runs for all. The duty free status of the resort makes après ski a very friendly affair. Eating out is a lot cheaper than in other resorts and the pubs and clubs are really very good here. For beginners there are some good nursery slopes and you can literally ski back down into the village. There are great intermediate runs and experts should head to the Snow Park El Tarter with some great moguls and freeriding areas. Some of the parks here are open well into the evening which is another perk.

So don’t ignore Andorra, particular if you don’t want to spend too much money on the ski holiday.

Swiss Group Ski Holidays

If money isn’t a problem then look at Switzerland. Here you will certainly get the large chocolate box catered chalets. Zermatt, nesting at the foot of the Matterhorn, offers 200km of local piste with a good coverage for all levels.  However, if you want more choice then you can purchase a lift pass that takes you over the border to Cervinia in Italy.

For free riders this resort is also a paradise. The 9 night clubs and 35 bars should also keep any night owls in your party happy. As a large resort Zermatt also has lots for the non- skier with ice skating, curling and a climbing wall. There’s also a cinema, swimming pool and tennis courts and plenty of spas and salons to suit those who want a more relaxing ski holiday.

By Will Smith