Choosing where to ski
May 10, 2025
Winter Weekend in Cappadocia
May 10, 2025All-inclusive resorts seem to evoke the image of sprawling beachside properties in exotic locales like the Bahamas or French Polynesia with multiple swimming pools, bottomless mimosas for breakfast, a fully stocked minibar that you can actually use, 24-hour room service and a plethora of in-resort activities on offer. While that’s certainly one version, and it’s fantastic, let me introduce you to the all-inclusive ski vacation and take you through its many benefits and potential downsides.
Potentially the most significant advantage of an all-inclusive holiday at a ski resort, specially for a solo skier (read more about solo ski vacations here) is convenience. It’s literally a one-stop-shop for all your needs from accommodation and meals to ski lessons, lift passes and equipment rental as well as several aprés ski activity options on site. Most all-inclusive ski resorts will also offer transportation to and from the nearest airport or train station making the often hard to reach spots easier to access.
As with all things, all-inclusive ski resorts too, come in many avatars to suits a variety of budgets and personalities. From hostel-style rustic rooms with a basic 3-meal plan (often involving a pack-your-own-lunch option) and a community room with some books and games or pay-as-you-go bar which to spend the off-slope hours. UCPA, which operates in parts of the European ski domain is a great budget option. You can learn more about my experience at UCPA here.
For those with slightly more discerning tastes, or an affinity for a little luxury without needing to sell a kidney, there is something for you too. At the slightly higher end of the all-inclusive ski resort spectrum is ClubMed, which offers single rooms with en-suite bathrooms and even a suite option if you’re in the mood to splurge. Apart from all three meals and multiple snacks available through the day, all alcohol (with the exception of premium wines) and endless tea, coffee and soft beverages available 24 hours a day are part of the deal. These resorts often have on-site facilities like a fitness centre, pool and spa as well as additional activities and nightly entertainment, music and dancing.
What every all-inclusive ski resort offers is convenience at your fingertips. Once you book your vacation and organise your flights, you can literally lie back and not have to worry about a thing. From the moment you land at your chosen airport, or arrive at the train station, the resort ensures you have everything you need.
Typically, when you book your trip, you will provide your arrival details and someone from the resort will meet you at the airport. Bigger resorts like ClubMed may have a permanent kiosk or booth while smaller ones may just set up a standee or temporary desk with a sign. You will then be whisked off to your accommodation and once you’re checked in and settled into your room, you can make your way down to the ski room.
As the name suggests, the ski room is where you get your skis! Normally, the room is lined with lockers and your locker number will typically match your room number. In there, if you have already provided all your details like height, weight and shoe size, you will find your ski boots and skis waiting for you. The room is always fully staffed with experienced ski guides and technicians who will show you how to put on your ski boots and your skis and will make any size adjustments if needed.
After that, it’s probably time for dinner!
Meals at all-inclusive resorts are served buffet style with the selection depending on the type of resort it is. Fancier resorts will generally have more options, cater to a wider range of dietary restrictions and include live stations or themed nights with cuisines from different countries while the less upscale will offer a more basic but still fresh and delicious spread to choose from. While you can of course choose to dine alone, with a book or podcast for company, meals are a great time to connect with other travellers and get to know some of your fellow skiers.
Another bonus of all-inclusive ski resorts is the fact that they include ski lessons. Lessons run Monday - Friday and the day starts off after breakfast in the ski room. At the time of booking or check-in, you will be allocated a ski group based on your level and each group will have a meeting time to stagger departures from the resort. Don’t be late, or your group may be forced to leave without you which means you probably won’t get to ski that morning. Once you have your skis on, your group will head towards the ski lifts. Some resorts are ski-in/ski-out resorts which means that the lifts or slopes are right next door and you can quite literally start your ski adventure from the chalet door. If the lifts are not that close, you will be transported to your ski location for the day.
At the end of the morning’s skiing, you will either be transported back to the resort if it’s close enough, where drinks, snacks and a large buffet lunch and time for some relaxation awaits. If the slopes are not close enough to your accommodation, some of the higher end all-inclusive resorts like ClubMed will provide a slope side buffet lunch and comfortable chairs to relax for a while. Less luxurious resorts like UCPA will also provide a lunch buffet or maybe if the slopes are further away, you will have packed a lunch for yourself on the slopes at breakfast time.
Then it’s on-piste again for the afternoon lesson where you can build on and practice the skills you’ve learned that morning and get more comfortable on your skis. At the end of the day, it’s back to the chalet where you can place your skis and boots into your locker and enjoy your evening as you choose.
Dinner is another buffet, and at ClubMed there is high tea and a cocktail hour that precedes dinner (they feed you pretty constantly!) and you can grab a hot drink or glass of wine to warm up after a day out on the slopes.
Before dinner, there is usually time to explore the village, typically a quaint little town with small shops, perfect for souvenirs or gifts, cafés and occasionally bigger chain stores and fast food restaurants as well. You will see most ski towns dotted with ski and sports stores of course and depending on what stage of the ski season your visit falls, you may find some really exceptional sales and deals too!
If wandering around town is not your thing, you can always relax at the chalet and meet some of your fellow travellers. If your resort has a spa or swimming pool, that’s also a great way to relax after a day of skiing. Although bear in mind, spa treatments are generally at an additional cost.
The rest of your vacation will follow a similar pattern with lessons, meals and aprés-ski activities, meeting new people and generally having a wonderful experience.
At the end of your stay, you will be whisked back to the airport or train station of your choice in time to catch your flight back home full of memories and stories to tell.
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Disha
Disha is a former corporate lawyer with a flair for writing. As an avid traveller, she is always seeking new adventures and loves telling stories about her globe trotting.
