Ski destinations

Andorra today is a modern and extensive ski region that has changed almost beyond recognition from the Andorra of just a few decades ago. The principality (just 180 square miles) took the decision a few years ago to upgrade its hotels, tidy up loose ends in its rather disparate ski areas, build a whole new generation of state-of-the-art lifts, take its snowmaking capacity to another level, and in general re-invent itself.

Austria is the key Alpine ski destination. The Arlberg ski region, including St. Anton, Lech and Zürs is the jewel in its crown and not only the birthplace of modern Alpine skiing but also a most popular playground for Europe's Royal families. Kitzbühel is world famous for the annual Hahnenkamm ski race and Mayrhofen is home to the renowned Altitude Comedy Festival, and Snowbombing! festival. We offer the best accommodation options in Austria, from stylish design hotels to traditional wooden chalets. More than any other Alpine country, ski accommodation in Austria is almost always several cuts above average. So Austria really does tick all the relevant boxes.

Canada is the second largest country in the world and has some of the best and most unique ski resorts. The Olympic village of Whistler is consistently voted the best ski resort in the world. Banff and Lake Louise are located inside the Banff National Park and have unbeatable scenery and awe-inspiring nature. Mont Tremblant is a charming colourful resort in the French province of Québec and is ideal for families.

France is the most popular Alpine country for British skiers and snowboarders. It took advantage of being comparatively late to join the pantheon of ski nations. Unlike Austria and Switzerland, where skiing evolved gradually from mountain villages, France didn’t build many of its most famous resorts (such as Les Arcs, La Plagne and Avoriaz) until the 1960s, so it was possible to select the highest, most snow-sure places to ski in France. 

Home to some of Europe's best skiing, scenery and food - skiing in Italy consistently impresses with many vowing never to return to the overloaded pistes in neighbouring countries. Perhaps it’s the sunny climate or the national temperament, but ski holidays in Italy are quite different from those in the other Alpine nations. In general, the Italians are laid back, late to arrive on the slopes and big on lunch.

A wit once proclaimed that if Switzerland were ironed, it would be quite a large country. Yet in spite of being relatively small (16,000 square miles), Switzerland is so famous for its mountains, predominantly in the southern half of the country, that there are “Little Switzerlands” all over the world: from North Carolina and the Drakensbergs of South Africa to Luxembourg and even Folkestone, Kent! The iconic Matterhorn too has “lookalikes” in many mountain ranges.