Itching to Hit the Slopes
As soon as the August bank holiday is behind us it starts to feel like Autumn is in the air. The nights are drawing in, it’s darker and fresher in the mornings and the kids are going back to school. Far from signalling the end of the summer, for me, it signals the impending start of the ski season loud and clear.
The early weeks of the season in December and January are my favourite time to go skiing. The resorts and hotels have a fresh and exciting feel about them, new ski lifts carry the first skiers of the season up to pristine slopes and even the famously cantankerous lift operators have a spring their step. The mountains are open for business again and it feels good.
This year we’ll be operating our unrivalled in-resort services from 15th December in Flims, Laax, Arosa, Lenzerheide and Zurs, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to your first ski of the season.
A regular Powder Byrne favourite, Flims is the perfect place for skiing in Switzerland. Thanks to the Vorab Glacier, 70% of the skiing is between 2,000 and 3,000 metres above sea level, making it one of the most snow-sure places in the Alps. With spacious runs, empty slopes and glorious sunshine, you’ll never want to go home.
Laax is linked to the neighbouring resort of Flims, offering a total of 235km of skiing across the Flims-Laax-Falera ski area. It also boasts four snow parks to cater for all abilities, making it an ever-popular choice for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. The newly refurbished Galaaxy summit station at Crap Sogn Gion has given Laax a fresh new look with great facilities on the mountain.
Located in a sunny valley in the heart of Graubünden, Arosa is home to some truly iconic hotels. The 5-star Tschuggen Grand Hotel is home to Michelin starred restaurant La Vetta and a truly world-class spa, while the refined and contemporary Valsana Hotel offers a new take on the modern Alpine holiday.
Lenzerheide has received a huge amount of investment in recent years with a vast cable car now linking the Urdenfurggli in Lenzerheide to the Hornli of Arosa. Further developments include two new six-man chairlifts that have transformed Lenzerheide and helped catapult the linked ski area of Arosa-Lenzerheide into the top 10 Swiss ski areas with a fully linked domain of 42 lifts and 225km of skiing.
Zurs is part of the world-famous Arlberg region, and often referred to as ‘the cradle of skiing’. Renowned for its champion skiers, quality snow and endless runs with over 284km of pistes. The Arlberg ski area is also home to legendary après ski bars the Krazy Kanguruh and the MooserWirt.
We have some fantastic recommendations and options available for the first weeks of the ski season, perfect for couples, groups and solo skiers as well as families looking to experience our award-winning children’s ski programmes.
Prices from £1,630 per person in Rocksresort, Laax or £1,637 per person in Chesa Forma, Arosa. Prices include return flights from London, luxury transfers, daily bakery delivery and full Powder Byrne in-resort service.
Call our travel consultants on 020 8246 5300 or enquire online to start planning your first tracks of the season!
