Ski trips are becoming increasingly popular, many are even swapping sunny getaways for a more energetic holiday in the alps. With beautiful ski resorts dotted all across the world, there is an abundance of options when selecting your resort of choice, whether that be in the French Alps or the Japanese town of Niseko.
Skiing is proven to be great for the mind and body, burning calories whilst also good for relieving stress. It’s also known for improving coordination and balance, so it’s not difficult to see why this hands-on type of holiday continues to grow in popularity.
However, what many people don’t know is that there is a lot more to do on these encapsulating trips than just hitting the slopes! Many are unaware of the great opportunities for lavish dinners and sightseeing when away in the snowy mountains.
Here at Altitude Ski School, we know the thrill and challenge skiing provides and the incredible sense of freedom you can feel by gliding through nature. But there are other amazing experiences you can have on your next ski trip, aside from skiing itself, read on to find out!
Ski Touring
The ultimate mix of exploration and skiing, ski touring is perfect for anyone who wants to dive deeper and fully explore these picturesque mountains.
Dating as far back as 1555, ski touring has been popular for centuries but still yet to be experienced by many. By definition, ski touring is skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas, typically done outside resorts with a stronger emphasis on freedom and exploration.
Many non-skiers may believe skiing is quite restricting, forcing you to stay in the confines of specific hills, resorts, or routes. However, ski touring is a living example that this is not true, ski touring has allowed skiing to become a much more inclusive activity and offers something for everyone!
When ski touring, there will usually be a mountain guide present to ensure everyone remains safe and on track. There is also a wide selection of sessions to book onto, both day and night, so if it’s a nighttime tour under the stars you’re after, that’s available too.
Overall, ski touring can be quite physically demanding as sessions run on for around three hours on average. However, the harsh journey is met with rewarding views, opportunities to explore the unknown and still provides those fast-paced descents that seasoned skiers love so much.
The Verbier resort has several routes to offer, ranging from night and day treks with a selection of circuits that come with varying difficulty, meaning there’s bound to be something for all ages. With trips such as the testing Sarreyer route or the picturesque La Tzoumaz route (available at nighttime), the Verbier resort has an abundance of ski tour trips available.
Mountain Meal
A unique experience that shouldn’t be missed when on a ski trip is dining in a warm cabin on top of a snowy mountain after a long day spent on the slopes.
The wooden architecture matched with the natural snowy mountain tops is a unique experience, anyone skiing this holiday season should aim to give this a try.
More specifically, Switzerland is home to a wonderful example of this; La Marlenaz, belonging to the Verbier Resort. This restaurant is located at an altitude of 1,895 metres and is home to a roof terrace providing some unreal views of the mountains and ski routes below.
The Swiss mountain views matched with the high-quality cuisine at Verbier is one of the many ways you can unwind after a long day spent in the snow.
Sledging
One popular snow activity that even those who haven’t experienced the slopes yet will be aware of is sledging. Similar to skiing, sledging is the act of travelling down a snowy slope or mountainside on a sledge.
You can now do this in Switzerland at the popular Verbier resort, the experience includes a long sledge run. Verbier offer a 711m long vertical descent that aims to test your sledging abilities and speed management! The track in La Tzoumaz is sure to challenge even the more experienced sledgers, but it’s also a great way to ease yourself into the ski trip.
It is one of the easier snow activities as the participant is seated and therefore more in control of their direction and speed. Although quite simple on its own, sledging is also the basis of three Olympic sports (luge, skeleton and bobsleighing) meaning it can become quite complex too.
Not only is sledging a great alternative to cruising down the slopes on skis but there are also several sledging activities each resort should offer.
Most routes are also sectioned off for skiers and sledgers, sledging as a whole is a great way of introducing yourself to the logistics of skiing before making the transition into skis. Consequently, it’s perfect for beginners or anyone looking for an easier way to navigate themselves down the slopes.
Artificial Surfing
You may not have even considered this was an option when skiing in the alps but you can try artificial skiing! Based in the Swiss Alps, Alaia Bay has a once-in-a-lifetime experience offering an artificial surfing facility based in the mountains next to the ski slopes.
A real opportunity to mix your ski holiday with aspects of a sunny beach holiday, although the temperature will remain low, the opportunity to hit the waves on a snowy mountain cannot be missed!
Alaia Bay is home to the first wave pool in mainland Europe and also boasts a world-class surf shop offering all the required gear for beginners and seasoned pros. There are even classes available for those who need to brush up on their surfing skills, the entire experience of surfing in the Alps is a special one and one to take advantage of if in the area.
Apres Ski Drinks
The last activity is a way to relax and put your feet up after a long day of skiing… Apres-Ski! There is a massive culture for unwinding on ski holidays and a lot of this is channelled through the apres-ski drinks and celebrations.
Apres-ski translates directly from French to ‘after ski’ and accounts for the time spent socialising after a long day spent on the slopes. As skiing is a great holiday to take with friends, apres-ski is the perfect excuse to relax, have some drinks and take in the natural surroundings.
The apres-ski celebrations are expected by the different ski resorts, meaning there are a selection of bars and unique areas designated for having a drink and letting your hair down after a gruelling day in the snow. The Verbier resort offers a whole range of apres-ski activities including Bar 1936, consisting of two yurts, this bar is a great place to indulge in some mulled wine or experience a Mongolian fondue!
However, it doesn’t just have to be spent drinking or partying, with many resorts offering spa and lounge options for the more tranquil vacationer. No matter where you opt to go in terms of the resort, be sure to explore the different options they offer after a day spent on the mountains.
Final thoughts
Overall, it’s safe to say there is a lot more to a ski trip than simply skiing! With various activities to choose from such as sledging or surfing artificially in the Alps, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
If you would like to book some ski lessons to make sure you’re up to scratch when hitting the slopes, please find further information here.
Our ski school journey started back in 2001 in Verbier and has since expanded into Grindlewald, Wengen, Gstaad, Zermatt, Davos and Klosters! We’ve always had one simple belief in mind that every client deserves to have the best possible experience, from booking lessons or guiding through to enjoying an incredible day on the mountain.
