1. Choose ski resort
It is the most important step of all, because without it, of course, there would be no trip. You have to be clear about some things such as budget, ski level and company. Having to adjust the price of the trip is not the same as having this not be a concern for you, just as being a beginner is not the same as being an expert nor is it the same to go with friends as with children.
Once you have these issues under control, all you have to do is get to work. In Spain and Europe there are different ski resorts and you can find very cheap places.
If you are going to travel with the little ones, you can choose to go to a family resort, like Vallnord, where there are ski classes for children, children's areas where you can leave them while you take the opportunity to ski, etc. There are also places like Grandvalira where the whole family can practice a variety of family activities and sports, such as igloo construction, mushing or tubbing, among others.
And depending on your level, it is best to choose a station where there are a greater number of slopes that adapt to your level: if you are just starting out, it is preferable to have more green and green slopes. If you are an expert, the more black clues you find, the better.
2. Choose accommodation
Once you have decided on the ski resort you will go to, the next step is to choose the accommodation to match available dates with those you have free.
Depending on the people you go, there will be one type of accommodation or another. Going as a couple or with a small group is not the same as going with family or a large group of friends. The money you want to spend will also influence, since you can find everything from hostels and hostels to apartments and 5* hotels.
There are also them at the foot of the slopes (which makes prices more expensive) even the most remote ones (you will save money but You will have to have transportation to take you to the track, so you will have to see if this saving is worth it or not).
If you go with children, it is best to have the accommodation as close to the slopes and that it has a transfer (private transport by bus, minibus or van) directly to the hotel in case there comes a time when They are too tired to continue.
3. Choose transportation
There are many places that organize complete packs with accommodation+transport+ski pass, but if you do it on your own you will most likely save some money.
Here we depend on two things: once again on the budget and the distance from the station. Going from Madrid to Sierra Nevada is not the same as going to Andorra or going to the Alps. And even less if you have your own equipment.
Many people opt for the comfort of the plane, because if you search carefully you can find cheap flights and, in addition, you save a lot of time on the trip. But a good part of the skiers go with their own car (or van, depending on how many people there are).
4. How to get around your destination
For this you have to take into account, above all, the distance in which your accommodation is from the slopes. If you go by car you won't have to worry, but if not you will have to rent a vehicle (it is highly advisable to do so with comprehensive insurance included) or use transfer or public transportation.
Don't forget to hire a ski rack to be able to carry the equipment from one place to another in case the resort does not have a ski storage service.
5. What to do with ski/snow equipment?
If you have your own, don't hesitate to take it. But you have to know that transporting it in the end is also an expense and the price can skyrocket (unless you go in your vehicle).
If you have to rent it there, many stations have an online equipment rental service and you can do it in advance, approximately a week, to ensure that you will not be left without it. It is recommended, however, that you also take out separate insurance in case it is lost, stolen or broken. It is not very expensive and can prevent you from having to pay more if something happens. of those cases.
Other recommendations
- Before organizing a ski trip, take into account the weather conditions. It seems obvious but on many occasions you can assume that on a certain date there will be snow, that the conditions will be perfect for skiing or snowboarding, etc. And everything can be cut short at the last moment.
- Do not hesitate to take out travel insurance. It is not expensive at all (you can still find it for €30 a week) and it can help you in case you have an accident on the tarmac, hospitalizations, lost luggage , flight cancellations... You can also get a European health card if you go outside of Spain. Get well informed!
- Plan your trip well: know the restaurants, the parking lots, the slopes, the station facilities, itineraries...
- Also locate the supermarkets that may be near your accommodation. It is advisable that you reserve a place with breakfast and dinner included, but if you want to save money you can shop at the supermarket and cook at the accommodation. li>
- Don't forget the chains. Whether you go in your vehicle or rent one, always remember to bring chains to put on the wheels.
