During the winter thousands of Brits jet off to mountain destinations in Europe and beyond to hit the slopes and embrace the après ski lifestyle.
Manchester Airport offers direct flights to several popular winter holiday destinations in Europe and further afield, with return flights starting from £28 per person.
Whether you’re an experienced snowboarder or a beginner on the skis, there’s an option to suit everyone. There’s family-friendly resorts too, where little ones can learn the ropes on the slopes too.
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Here are some winter sports holiday destinations served by Manchester Airport based on experience level, including resorts in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
There are winter holiday options for people of every ability -Credit:Shared Content Unit
Beginner
If it’s your first time picking up the skis, gentle slopes and friendly weather conditions are what you’re looking for.
Zurich
The Swiss pioneered winter tourism and if you’re a ski novice, the slopes around Zurich are a great place to start. There are many beginner ski areas near Zurich, great for both adults and kids. Brunni is an affordable yet impressive resort – it has a 50m long ‘magic carpet’ surface lift, and a T-bar lift with a short and easy blue run.
If it’s a ski school you’re looking for, Flumserberg has great instructors to help the whole family become naturals on the snow. With easy, flat terrain, you’ll be gliding along independently in no time.
You can reach Zurich from only £47pp return with easyJet.
Andorra
A tiny nation tucked between Spain and France in the Pyrenees mountains, Andorra’s ski scene has been growing in reputation and size in recent years – but retains the charm of a hidden gem.
Arinsal is a great resort for beginners owing to its gentle, easily navigable slopes and a dedicated nursery slope used by ski schools. Nearby Soldeu also has 78 green and blue runs and a nursery slope of its own.
Fly into Barcelona with Ryanair from £44pp return and you can be in Andorra within around 2 hours 30 minutes by car.
Toronto
Canada is renowned for having some of the finest slopes in North America. Fly into Toronto, and just a short drive away you’ll find many resorts in southern Ontario. It’s a fantastic spot for first-timers with resorts like Glen Eden, built around the beautiful Lake Kelso, where over 50 per cent of the runs are suitable for beginners.
Blue Mountain, one of the largest and most well-known mountain resorts, is also a great choice. The easiest terrain can be found at the southern end of the area, where you can get lessons to whip you into shape.
Fly to Toronto from £402pp return with AirTransat.
Kitzbuhel Austria -Credit:shared content unit
Intermediate
If you’ve built your confidence a little but aren’t ready to tackle the black slopes just yet, there are many great resorts where you can find a good level in-between.
Vienna
Mönichkirchen-Mariensee ski resort boasts a great old-school skiing experience and is just over an hour’s drive from Vienna. The family-friendly resort has ten slopes spanning 14 km and varying in levels of difficulty.
Slightly further out you’ll find Hochkar, known as the largest, most reliable resort for snowfall in the Alpine foothills. Over 50 per cent of its stunning slopes are suitable for intermediates.
Flights to Vienna with Ryanair are priced from £28pp return, and Austrian Airlines also flies from Manchester to Vienna.
Munich
Nestled in the Bavarian Alps to the south of Munich, you’ll find Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is widely regarded as one of Germany’s best ski resorts and is a great spot for intermediates, with 52 per cent of its slopes in this category.
Kitzbuhel, just over the border into Austria, is just an hour and a half’s drive from Munich. It is best known as the host resort for the Hahnenkamm race, one of the world’s most prestigious Alpine Ski World Cup races. There’s plenty of terrain for intermediates as well as more challenging slopes for when you’re ready.
Fly to Munich with easyJet from only £58pp return. You can also fly there with German flag carrier airline Lufthansa.
Sofia
Bulgaria’s ski resorts offer great value for money and some of the best can be found near Sofia. Borovets Ski Resort is great for intermediates with a wide array of slopes and looping trails that course through pine forests. Slightly further south is Bansko, Bulgaria’s largest resort with over 75km of slopes and trails to suit all abilities – with 30% green runs, 40% blue runs, and 30% red or black – so you’ll be sure to find an option that suits you.
Fly to Sofia with easyJet from £113pp return.
Bansko, Bulgaria -Credit:SCU
Seasoned pro
If skiing comes almost as naturally as walking to you, you’ll want a bit more of a challenge. Here are some of the more adrenaline-fueled slopes and off-piste spots that you can reach with a direct flight from Manchester Airport – as well as some unique ski experiences.
Tromso
Some of Norway’s most popular ski destinations can be found around the Arctic wilderness of Tromso. The island of Ringvassoya is a hidden gem, where you can ski through enchanting forests with the Lyngen Alps in the distance. For a steeper adventure, the summit of Svartvasstinden will reward you with panoramic views of the beautiful Scandinavian scenery.
If you’re a ski enthusiast, you may have heard of Lyngen and Senja, known for their great areas for off-piste skiing. People have been skiing through the 145 peaks in Lyngen for centuries – located right on the seafront, you’ll find a series of deep fjords and peninsulas. Embark on a magical ski tour in Senja, and steer through steep mountains to see where the twists and turns take you.
Fly to Tromso with easyJet from £40pp return. Norwegian also operates flights from Manchester to Tromso.
Akureyri
If you’re looking for a ski holiday like no other, Akureyri in northern Iceland can give you just that. With slopes surrounded by the Arctic Ocean, look up at nighttime and there’s a good chance you’ll see the Northern Lights. Dalvik Ski Resort is known as one of the best in the country, with many professional winter sports athletes coming from this small town.
With stunning mountains where you can huck cliffs, whizz through chutes, and experience unique off-piste conditions, you’re in for an exhilarating adventure. For adrenaline junkies, try heli-skiing in the Troll Peninsula with an experienced guide. Take a helicopter over to a remote mountain peak and enjoy a descent in the fresh untouched snow.
Akureyri has a direct flight to Manchester for the first time this winter. Fly with easyJet from only £37pp return.
Basel
Basel Airport sits where the borders of France, Germany and Switzerland meet and is a gateway to some fantastic expert-level resorts in all three countries. Speed down the longest piste in the Vosges at Gérardmer ski resort, which has 21 runs that overlook the village and lake and take you through dense forests. And if you fancy even more of a challenge, embark on a cross country ski session in the nearby Bas-Rupt area.
The tranquil La Bresse is the main resort in the Vosges – there you’ll find 33 runs set in 220 hectares of alpine scenery. It’s the only local area to offer skiing from the early hours right through to dusk when the slopes illuminate.
Fly to Basel from £34pp return with easyJet.
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