10 Tips for a Super-Easy Ski Vacation

Have you decided to drive to your vacation destination? Parking is a key consideration—and can become a real source of stress if you don’t plan ahead… Indoor parking garages at ski resorts fill up quickly, especially during school breaks. And the issue of snow removal makes unregulated outdoor parking impractical.

 

Make a private covered parking lot a priority when choosing accommodations for your ski vacation. Say goodbye to the worry of not finding a place to park when you arrive in La Plagne, La Rosière or Tignes : a dedicated parking spot awaits you right below your residence, ensuring maximum protection for your vehicle against the elements and heavy-duty snow removal equipment.

 

 

Have you ever tried to buy a ski pass on a Saturday or Sunday morning? It takes a fair amount of patience… During school vacations, the line can stretch for several dozen meters (despite the recommendation to buy your pass online before you arrive). The wait robs the absent-minded of moments that are so much more enjoyable: skiing or enjoying an aperitif with a platter of cheese and cold cuts, depending on the time of day.

 

By booking your ski pass at the same time as your apartment, you’ll save time—and potentially money—thanks to the attractive package deals. Convenient: your ski pass will be handed to you in person at the residence’s front desk on the day of your arrival!

Whether you're traveling by train or by car, you're probably thinking about the best ways to save a few kilos (and cubic decimeters) in your suitcases or trunk.

 

The easiest item to lighten is definitely your snow sports gear. Are you about to buy skis or a snowboard plus boots? Stop! The investment isn’t necessarily worth it if you only ski one week a year or less. Instead, consider renting all your gear on-site from our partners (or at least the skis if you’d rather keep your own boots). This solution, aside from the well-known issue of luggage weight and bulk, lets you enjoy the latest technological innovations from the top ski and snowboard brands every year. It’s also the most eco-friendly option…

 

Here’s another idea to save space in your suitcases: have your groceries delivered directly to the apartment you’ve rented for your vacation. Sure, this means you’ll need to place your order with our partner a week in advance… but what a relief!

 

Finally, save yourself the hassle of carrying your “spa-style” bathrobe: Altitude Résidences offers a wellness kit for rent at the front desk of the Chalet Hôtel Turquoise as Belle Plagne as well as at Le Quartz in Tignes. Perfect for enjoying the XXL hot tub, sauna, and steam room at both of these residences!

It's no secret: traffic can sometimes be a challenge (to put it mildly) as you approach the ski resorts, especially on Saturdays during school breaks.

 

Let’s quickly touch on something that goes without saying: unless you’re equipped with winter tires (and even then…), you should make sure you have snow chains or snow socks easily accessible in the trunk, regardless of the weather. It might be sunny on the day you arrive and snowing heavily on the day you leave seven days later.

 

Now that we've settled the issue of equipment, let's talk about the best times to arrive and leave.

 

Most guests arrive at the resort in the late afternoon, so we recommend that you arrive in the afternoon (we’ll welcome you starting at 5:00 p.m. to hand over the keys, but you’re welcome to arrive early, park your car, and take a stroll around the resort while you wait for our housekeeping team to finish sprucing up your apartment).

 

On the day of departure, you can choose to leave early (before 8 a.m.) or much later (in the late morning, for example). Convenient: we provide a luggage storage area as well as a large changing room with a shower and a secure locker—so you can enjoy the slopes one last time before hitting the road with peace of mind! See all our services.

If you followed our tip #1 (“Choose a ski-in/ski-out accommodation”), you’re probably on the right track. But be careful! “Ski-in/ski-out” doesn’t necessarily mean “close to the ski school”!

 

Avoid unpleasant surprises: Take the time to check with your lodging provider to find out where the meeting point is for the ski or snowboard school where you’ve booked lessons. Or, conversely: Which ski or snowboard school has the meeting point closest to your residence (if you haven’t booked your lessons yet and don’t have a preference for a particular school)?

 

That way, you’ll avoid having to dash around in your ski boots if you oversleep (or if your kids have a morning tantrum… we’ve all been there).

 

 

 

 

This is possible thanks to the “ chalet -fitting” service! How does it work? A skiman (a professional from a ski and snowboard rental shop) will pick you up right at your residence. Then he’ll take you to the rental shop to outfit you with the latest gear. Before taking you back to your apartment with all your equipment (or bringing your “street” shoes back there if you’d rather head straight to the slopes).

 

We'd rather warn you: once you try this service, there's no turning back ;)

We've saved the best "easy vacation" tip for last: delegate all your vacation planning to your host!

 

Find the apartment of your dreams in the ski resort that best suits your vacation needs; book your ski passes, lessons, and equipment rentals; and connect with our partner activity providers to get the best rates… Altitude Résidences goes above and beyond and puts all its expertise to work to make your ski trip a success!

 

Whether you're traveling with 4 or 18 people. Whether you're an expert skier or a beginner. Whether you're looking to party or relax. We'll be happy to advise you (for free), and we always get it just right. Contact us now, and receive a personalized proposal within 48 hours. Start packing your bags!