A beginners guide to booking your (first) ski holiday in France

This article could be extremely short as (technically) all I have to say is 'book everything with OSC'. However, I’m not going to go down this piste and instead I’m going to get into a little more nitty gritty, to give you some real insight about what questions you should be asking when organising your winter ski holiday.

First of all, before I ‘slide’ right into it (get it!), I want to make it clear, if anything becomes too overwhelming you can contact OSC at any time. It’s our job, we’re professionals and we’re here to help create your perfect mountain holiday.

How much should my holiday budget be?

Your budget is the most important part of booking a ski holiday. Make sure you are clear on your maximum spending. You need to think about your:

• Accommodation - depending on what you are after, your group size and the resort it can range from 350€ to 10,000€+.

• Transfers - plane, train, car, taxi or bus? To give you an idea, from Geneva airport to La Plagne you are looking at around 320€ for a private taxi one way.

• Equipment rental - the price for beginner adult skis, boots and helmet ranges depending on the resort and your level. You’ll be looking at around 110€+ for the week.

• Activities - for example, ski school (from 220€), ice skating (from 7€ per person), bowling (from 10€ per person), sledging (our Oxygène nighttime Superluge Derby is 35€ per person), eMTB on snow (from around 60€ per person) etc.

• Lift passes - depending on the resort the costs can range from 210€ to 380€ for the week.

• Childcare (if needed) - for example, 6 half days with a private nanny can cost around 850€ for the week via a company called T4 Nanny based in Tignes.

• Plus food and extra spending money - a soft drink can cost around 4€, a hot chocolate with squirty cream around 6€, a glass of wine from 5€ and a pint of beer from 8€, a main course from 15€, a kids menu from around 13€, you'll probably be looking at around 30€ per head for a meal out (depending on the restaurant and the resort).

Then add around 10% extra for peace of mind. This way you will not be worried if you go over budget a little.

Which ski resort(s) should I go to?

You may already have an idea, but you might also need some guidance. Whatever the case, the resort must fit in with your budget, wants and needs. Some resorts are more expensive than others. Maybe you are after activities for non-skiers. Maybe you want some nightlife or romantic restaurants. OSC is based in 10 of the best ski resorts in the French Alps. Each one has its own personality and some are better than others for families, couples or groups of friends who wish to party. Don’t worry, we’ll guide you to find your perfect resort, saving you plenty of time to research the rest.
 

When’s the best time to go on a ski holiday?

The price can change quite a bit depending on where and when you wish to go on your ski holiday. We have an article about When is the best time to go on a ski holiday dedicated to this subject specifically. Generally, school holiday weeks are busier and more expensive. A big suggestion, especially if you are going on holiday during the busier weeks, is to book as far in advance as possible. If you leave it until the last minute you may be left disappointed.
 

What type of accommodation should I book?

This all comes down to you and your budget. For example, do you prefer catered or self-catered? On our website, we have a large selection of beautiful hotels, chalets and apartments you can choose between. If your budget is limited then a self-catered apartment may be the best option. If you have young children that need to nap during the day, a nice chalet with family members could be a great idea. If you are looking for a romantic weekend getaway then a luxury hotel is fantastic. Maybe you prefer to cook yourself or want to try the local cuisine, in this case, choose self-catered. And the list can go on... We can guide you through all the best options. To give you an idea, in total we have over 680 individual accommodation options for all budgets, so you’ll defiantly be able to find something that suits you with OSC!

How should I travel to the ski resort?

There are a few different options you can take… car, train, plane, bus and private taxi. You’ll find more information regarding airport distances to and from each resort directly on our website. Simply head to your chosen resort page and at the bottom, you’ll find Access to the resort information. 
If you are travelling with children, we also have a great article that could be useful called Top-Tips for a ski holiday with children where we go into more detail about the best ways to travel to our resorts.
 

I am a beginner skier, how do I book my ski lessons?

Via ourselves, of course! It’s a lot easier and saves you soooo much time. Anyone who books their holiday via OSC has the option to add on ski lessons with Oxygène Ski & Snowboard School. Instructors are all English speaking too! For more information on what it’s like to learn how to ski (as an adult), you can read our article Is learning to ski as an adult a good or bad idea?
 

Should I book other ski lessons, activities, equipment hire, lift passes and childcare in advance?

In short, yes, pre-book as much as possible in advance. This way you know everything is organised. Leaving any type of ski lesson until the last minute could mean there is no more availability. This is especially the rule of thumb during school holiday weeks, so don’t get caught out!
Childcare is also extremely important to book in advance. Spaces in nurseries and private nannies are very limited. In the article Top-Tips for a ski holiday with children, you’ll find more information regarding this. 
When booking with OSC, we can reserve everything for you in advance including ski lessons, activities, transfers, lift passes and equipment hire. We aim to simplify the booking process, making everything a lot easier for you. 

How and where do I get my lift pass from?

We can organise your lift passes at the same time as reserving your accommodation. We always suggest pre-booking in advance, this way it is ready for when you arrive in the resort! You will either get given them upon key collection or they will be delivered to your in-resort accommodation. Not having to queue in the lift pass office and instead being able to get on the mountain first thing is essential for a relaxing start to your holiday.
If you do choose to get your lift pass yourself you have two main options, online via the ski resort lift pass website or directly at the lift pass office. Depending on the resort, for online bookings, you can sometimes request for your passes to be delivered to your home address. If you do not reserve them online then there is the old traditional way of simply going to the lift pass office and paying there and then. Be warned though as there can be large queues, especially at the beginning of the week.
 

Should I buy ski or snowboard equipment or rent it?

This is very much a personal choice and depends if you plan to ski/snowboard often or not. If you come once a year then I personally suggest renting. With the cost of investment and the speed equipment advances, you’ll be better off financially. If you are a regular skier though, then having your own equipment can be a great idea. But do remember you’ll have to regularly service it and travelling with it can add on extra costs depending on your choice of transport. Sometimes people who have trouble finding comfortable boots often end up buying themselves ski boots and renting the rest via a ski hire shop. What you need to remember is ski hire shops invest every year in the latest products and equipment and everything is serviced regularly, therefore in perfect condition for you.
 

What do I need to pack for my ski trip?

This question is one of my favourites and we have a dedicated article all about What to pack for a ski trip? Basically, you’ll need ski or snowboard clothing such as a ski suit, thermals and socks. You’ll also need normal clothing such as trousers, t-shirts and jumpers. And don’t forget your toiletries, first aid kit, chargers, suncream and sunglasses. At the bottom of page Top-Tips for a ski holiday with children, you’ll find a list of items not to forget for your little ones too.

There you have it, these are the key questions you'll need to take into consideration when booking your (first) ski holiday. From luxury fine dining hotels to self-catered accommodation, there is a ski holiday for everyone. When you book with OSC you are always in the best of hands with a professional, local and fluent English speaker. Sounds too good to be true doesn't it, BUT it really is! OSC can do it all. Choose us and you’ll never look back…