How to Plan a Ski Trip — Complete Guide
Planning a ski trip can feel overwhelming — resort choice, timing, gear, accommodation, lift passes, and logistics. This guide breaks it down into clear steps so you can focus on what matters: having an amazing time on the mountain.
1. Choose the Right Resort
Your resort choice depends on three things: your skill level, your budget, and how far you're willing to travel.
- Beginners: Look for resorts with dedicated learning areas, wide groomed runs, and good ski schools. In Europe: Les Gets, Mayrhofen, Cervinia. In North America: Breckenridge, Big White, Whistler.
- Intermediate: You want variety — a mix of blue and red runs with different terrain. Val d'Isere, St. Anton, Zermatt, and Park City are excellent choices.
- Advanced: Chase steep terrain, off-piste access, and vertical drop. Chamonix, Verbier, Jackson Hole, and La Grave.
2. Time It Right
Timing is everything in skiing. Here's the tradeoff:
- December: Early season. Limited terrain, but few crowds and lower prices.
- January-February: Peak season. Best snow, most terrain open, but highest prices and biggest crowds.
- March-April: Spring skiing. Warmer weather, softer snow, great deals. Best for sun-lovers and longer days.
Pro tip: mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) is always quieter than weekends, regardless of season.
3. Book Accommodation Early
Ski-in/ski-out lodging is the gold standard — you eliminate transfer time and can ski until the lifts close. If that's out of budget, prioritize proximity to the main gondola or ski bus route. Book 2-3 months in advance for peak season; 1 month for spring.
Sheleg will help you plan your ski days with time-aware navigation and route planning. Join the waitlist.
4. Plan Your Days on the Mountain
This is where most skiers waste time. Without a plan, you end up repeating the same 3 runs or spending 30 minutes figuring out where to go next.
- Day 1: Explore. Take a few warm-up runs, get oriented, find your bearings.
- Day 2: Push. Hit the terrain you're most excited about early when legs are fresh.
- Day 3: Conserve. You'll be more tired than you think. Stick to favorites and leave time for a relaxed lunch.
Sheleg automates this. Set your home point and the app shows you the fastest way back at any time — so you can explore freely without worrying about getting lost.
5. Budget Wisely
A ski trip adds up fast. Here's a rough breakdown per person for a 3-day European trip:
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Lift pass (3 days) | €120-150 | €150-200 |
| Accommodation (3 nights) | €150-250 | €300-500 |
| Equipment rental | €60-90 | €90-150 |
| Food & drink | €50-80/day | €80-120/day |
| Total | €480-670 | €780-1,210 |
6. Don't Forget These
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) — UV is intense at altitude, even on cloudy days
- Lip balm with SPF
- Helmet — mandatory for kids in most European resorts
- Travel insurance that covers mountain rescue
- A portable charger — cold drains batteries 50% faster