Weekend Warriors Rejoice: Trend Reveals 40% Increase in Ski Weekends and Shorter Breaks
With at least three months left to get your ski fix, what are you waiting for?!
Attention all snow lovers! Gear up for an avalanche of fun with the latest ski weekend trends – because if you haven’t given them a whirl yet, it’s high time you did! Breaks from two to six nights are on the rise, with Heidi seeing sales of weekend trips up a whopping 40% this year! They spill the beans on the hottest spots for a snowy rendezvous with your crew.
Apres Ski Party: Mayrhofen, Austria
Mayrhofen, a household name in Austria’s winter wonderlands, welcomes beginners and families but also caters to the daring with the legendary Harakiri slope – Austria’s steepest! This sizable resort opens the doors to the entire Zillertal area and the famed Penken Park. Ready for more? Hit the 3,200m Hintertux glacier. Heidi’s co-founder, Marcus Blunt hints at an unforgettable night scene, “Ski hard, party harder! The nightlife is legendary, with après ski kicking off on the mountain in one of the many huts, sun terraces converting to open-air parties, before spilling out in the town until the early hours”.
Off-Piste Haven: Gressoney, Italy
Discover Gressoney, the hidden jewel in the Monterosa ski area. Ideal for advanced skiers, this tranquil Italian resort offers challenging red runs and boundless off-piste thrills, particularly on the Alagna side. Alexander Blunt, another mastermind behind Heidi, shares, ” “If you’re hunting a giant off-piste paradise, Gressoney is strategically placed in the Monterosa Ski area with quick access to all three valleys (including Champoluc and Alagna).
“Party animals might want to look elsewhere (see above for an idea where!), but off-piste enthusiasts, welcome to paradise!”
Foodie Fiesta: Courmayeur, Italy
Bypass the usual French retreats and jet off to Courmayeur, nestled on Mont Blanc’s Italian side. This gem, a paradise for intermediate and advanced skiers, is your gateway to glorious pistes and pine-fringed open bowls. Snowboarders, you’re in for a treat too! Crave off-piste excitement? Ask the local guides for secret adventures. Don’t miss the jaw-dropping Skyway Monte Bianco cable car ride to 3,466 meters! Marcus Blunt, guarantees an epicurean journey with Italy’s finest cuisine and wine. “Food-loving mates, prepare for culinary nirvana!” he explained, as he tucked into his eighth course (quite common here!).
All-Rounder Alpe d’Huez, France
Alpe d’Huez, a French skiing stronghold, offers a mix of challenging slopes, a top-notch lift system, and the renowned 16 km-long Sarenne – the Alps’ lengthiest black run. Beyond the Sarenne, explore 250km of pistes, high-altitude off-piste trails, and untouched gullies for the for serious free-riders. Alexander adds, “Alpe d’Huez is a riot for a mates’ getaway. Fantastic skiing meets a smorgasbord of about 60 dining spots. And for table-dancing apres ski, Folie Douce is legendary. Once the lifts shut, keep the party going in town. Alpe d’Huez is your ultimate match for any part-foodie, part-party crew.”
Whether you’re a gourmand glider, an off-piste pro, a party piste lover, or fancy a bit of everything, strap on your skis or sling on your board, and let’s hit the slopes!
