Ski Blog | School Holiday skiing

Independent Ski and Snowboard Hire

Altitude's ski rental partner Skimium are one of the largest ski providers in Europe. But despite their size and market leading prices, they maintain a personal touch. And by booking with the code ALTIT17 you can save a massive 60%!

The stores that are affiliated to skimium.com are independent stores located in the heart of the ski resorts. At these winter sports specialists, who all have a great reputation, you’ll find a wide range of the highest quality material that is available for either sale or rent. You can also find a variety of technical clothing and accessories and the men and machines that provide a highly professional workshop service. In the true mountain spirit, you’ll be looked after and advised by professionals that are passionate about their sport! 

skimium.com in a few words: it’s EASY, it’s the COMFORT of ordering from your own home and the BEST PRICE advantage through ordering on the internet (up to 20% discount off the public prices that are communicated in the stores), but it’s not only that...  

SKIMIUM IS EVEN MORE:

A wide selection of all the different categories of equipment in order to satisfy the requirements of all types of people, all types of ability and all types of desire.

An on-line Advice Guide enabling you to select the material that is the best suited to your ability, your desire and to what you want to do.

Only 25% deposit required, no administration fees.

Get the most of your skiing holiday with your family and friends with at least a further discount of 5% off the store prices for any reservation that includes at least 4 (or +) pairs of skis or snowboards.

Benefit from the Professional Advice to get the most out of your equipment.

A Commitment to guaranteeing your Safety, through our on-line advice service.

A Direct and Personal Contact with your rental store.

THE STORES THAT ARE AFFILIATED TO SKIMIUM.COM ARE COMMITTED TO:

Operating a Transparent Pricing Policy:

Benefit from the most advantageous prices by reserving on the internet

A Technical Charter:

A selection of the most reputable brands

Up to date material (no more than 3 seasons old)  

Equipment that is checked and prepared before each individual rental (sharpening, repairing of bases and waxing of boards; shoes are dried out and treated) 
The equipment is adjusted by professionals according to what you are going to do, your ability and your size  
 

A Customer Services Charter:

A friendly and personalised service 
Expert advice 
A product range dedicated to Women 
Your kids treated like little Champions 
Comfort for the duration of the rental period

HOW DOES IT WORK?

RESERVING YOUR SKI EQUIPMENT ON SKIMIUM.COM IS VERY EASY AND ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES: 

Today:

Select a skimium.com store in the resort where you will be heading to and indicate the date of your first skiing day along and for how many days you want to rent the equipment for.
Choose your material from a wide selection of skis, snowboards, shoes, boots and helmets.
You can consult our ‘How to choose the right equipment’ guides to help you find the material that is best adapted to your ability and to what you want to do.
Validate your selection and enter the personal details about yourself (height, weight, sizes...) and your preferences so that your material can be personalised just for you.
Confirm your reservation by paying a deposit of only 25 %. A confirmation email with the reservation form (with all the details concerning your order and other practical information) will be sent to you immediately.
Print and retain your reservation form and start getting ready for your holidays with peace of mind that your equipment will be waiting for you when you get there.

When you get there:

With your reservation form and a proof of identity, go along to the skimium.com store to settle the balance and collect your material that has already been prepared for you, once the adjustments have been checked.
Your skimium.com advisor will be extremely happy to welcome you and advise you on the use of your material.
Get your skis on and make the most of your holiday!

For further information, feel free to refer to our General Rental Conditions

Skimium.com is a partner of Decathlon

FONT ROMEU - PERFECT FOR FAMILIES [VIDEO]

Font Romeu is ideal for families and beginners  – there very few steep slopes here so there is no danger of finding yourself on a difficult run with people (big or small) who can’t ski it.

The ESF offer a fantastic area for children from just 2 and a half years old – offering anything from a 2 hour lesson to full day care where they combine skiing with indoor activities and can even feed the little ones so Mum & Dad can head off and ski themselves.

As a progression from this there are two lifts that are free of charge as you progress.

Rich talks to Joelle from the ESF about the options.

Skimium, the exclusive ski hire partner of Altitude Holidays. Save over 50% off ski hire this winter

WHO ARE WE?

Skimium.com is a partner of Decathlon

The stores that are affiliated to skimium.com are independent stores located in the heart of the ski resorts. At these winter sports specialists, who all have a great reputation, you’ll find a wide range of the highest quality material that is available for either sale or rent. You can also find a variety of technical clothing and accessories and the men and machines that provide a highly professional workshop service. In the true mountain spirit, you’ll be looked after and advised by professionals that are passionate about their sport! 

skimium.com in a few words: it’s EASY, it’s the COMFORT of ordering from your own home and the BEST PRICE advantage through ordering on the internet (up to 20% discount off the public prices that are communicated in the stores), but it’s not only that...  

SKIMIUM IS EVEN MORE:

·       A wide selection of all the different categories of equipment in order to satisfy the requirements of all types of people, all types of ability and all types of desire.

·       An on-line Advice Guide enabling you to select the material that is the best suited to your ability, your desire and to what you want to do.

·       Only 25% deposit required, no administration fees.

·       Get the most of your skiing holiday with your family and friends with at least a further discount of 5% off the store prices for any reservation that includes at least 4 (or +) pairs of skis or snowboards.

·       Benefit from the Professional Advice to get the most out of your equipment.

·       A Commitment to guaranteeing your Safety, through our on-line advice service.

·       A Direct and Personal Contact with your rental store.

THE STORES THAT ARE AFFILIATED TO SKIMIUM.COM ARE COMMITTED TO:

Operating a Transparent Pricing Policy:

·       Benefit from the most advantageous prices by reserving on the internet

A Technical Charter:

·       A selection of the most reputable brands

·       Up to date material (no more than 3 seasons old)  

·       Equipment that is checked and prepared before each individual rental (sharpening, repairing of bases and waxing of boards; shoes are dried out and treated) 

·       The equipment is adjusted by professionals according to what you are going to do, your ability and your size  

A Customer Services Charter:

·       A friendly and personalised service 

·       Expert advice 

·       A product range dedicated to Women 

·       Your kids treated like little Champions 

·       Comfort for the duration of the rental period

HOW DOES IT WORK?

RESERVING YOUR SKI EQUIPMENT ON SKIMIUM.COM IS VERY EASY AND ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES: 

Today:

·       Select a skimium.com store in the resort where you will be heading to and indicate the date of your first skiing day along and for how many days you want to rent the equipment for.

·       Choose your material from a wide selection of skis, snowboards, shoes, boots and helmets.

·       You can consult our ‘How to choose the right equipment’ guides to help you find the material that is best adapted to your ability and to what you want to do.

·       Validate your selection and enter the personal details about yourself (height, weight, sizes...) and your preferences so that your material can be personalised just for you.

·       Confirm your reservation by paying a deposit of only 25 %. A confirmation email with the reservation form (with all the details concerning your order and other practical information) will be sent to you immediately.

·       Print and retain your reservation form and start getting ready for your holidays with peace of mind that your equipment will be waiting for you when you get there.

When you get there:

·       With your reservation form and a proof of identity, go along to the skimium.com store to settle the balance and collect your material that has already been prepared for you, once the adjustments have been checked.

·       Your skimium.com advisor will be extremely happy to welcome you and advise you on the use of your material.

·       Get your skis on and make the most of your holiday!

For further information, feel free to refer to our General Rental Conditions

Start saving now with Altitude Holidays and Skimium!

Why Ski At Easter?

Thirty years ago, going on a family ski holiday was considered a real luxury, or at least only reserved for those who are in the upper reaches of the middle classes. Now, in the wake of budget airlines, better transport facilities and more affordable accommodation, the ski holiday has become a lot more accessible and feasible.  Having said that, the Government and authorities are certainly seem to be trying their hardest to make it as difficult as possible to go on a family ski trip.

Officially, we are not allowed to take our kids out of school to go on trips (even ones like a ski holiday that will benefit them greatly in the great University Of Life), so we are forced like cattle to only go away in school holidays.

Now, with the ski season only five months at best in Europe, our choices are limited to Christmas, half-term and Easter.

It goes without saying that the February half-term is often the most snow sure, but for this reason it is the most popular time of year to go and so therefore can be busier out there on the slopes. 

Another factor to consider is that because Half-Term is at the peak of the ski season, it can be colder out on the mountains.  Make sure you have all the proper gear including neck warmers that you can pull up over your nose to keep the bitter wind and driving snow away from your face

Christmas is a pleasant time to go and there is something magical about being in snow at this time of the year. But, whilst many people believe December, January and February are the only months where snow covers the Alpine slopes, there’s actually far more to offer beyond that and many believe the best is yet to come.

The Easter break falls right in the middle of that late season period and it’s my personal favourite time to hit travel to the Alps.  It’s normally quieter on the slopes that it is during the other school holiday times and the snow is usually surprisingly good and in recent years it has been fantastic at Easter with a fresh dump of snow fall across most large areas of the Alps.

For me though, the best thing about Easter Skiing is the weather.  There is no better feeling than shredding the slopes in bright glorious sunshine!  There seems to be a different and relaxed ambiance out on the slopes, with many skiers and snowboarders casually weaving down the slopes without a jacket on, and in some cases, just a T-Shirt.  At lunch times, the mountain restaurants have rows and rows of deckchairs full of skiers and snowboarders packed out with sunglasses, tanning themselves as if they are on a beach in Benidorm.  In these conditions, a very high sun block screen is a must (including a lip seal) - it is amazing the amount of people who do not bother or simply forget and then look like a lobster by the end of the day.

The days are also longer and brighter so you can squeeze more slope time out of the afternoon.  And believe me, you will want to!  I have always found that because the weather is warmer, I am not itching to get off the slopes and head to the nearest alpine bar to get a hot chocolate or Glühwein as soon as it is 3pm Instead, I want to shred every minute that I possibly can until the chair lifts close, then head over to the nearest deckchair with a cold beer in hand (and of course with the mandatory sunglasses on), to drink in the atmosphere and beauty of the Alps, enjoying the warmth on my face of the last rays of sun that the day has to offer.  Bliss!

Easter skiing is also cheaper because it is not peak season, with excursions and lift passes reduced in price from that of the Half-Term holidays. Family ski holidays can be expensive so booking for Easter really can save a lot of money.

So the next big question is where to go?  The obvious answer to this, just like in the quiz show Play Your Cards Right (if you are old enough to remember the 80’s show presented by the one and only Bruce Forsyth) and go Higher!  The higher the resort the more snow sure it is likely to be.

In France, you could consider the Espace Killy resorts of Val d’Isère (1,850m) and Tignes (2,100m). Val d’Isère has many north facing slopes and so it’s not as affected by the spring sunshine as some other ski areas.  Tignes is not only higher, but it also boasts glacier skiing at Grande Motte (3,400m) which can stay open for 9 months of the year!

Val Thorens (up to 3,200m) is Europe’s highest major ski resort and is about as ‘snow sure’ for Easter as you can get.  Also, while considering France, you can do no wrong in heading over to the Paradiski area to Les Arcs and La Plagne, This vast ski area is one of the biggest in the world and offers something for everyone; including glacier skiing.

If you want to travel further afield than France, then you may want to consider Zermatt (up to 3,899m) in Switzerland. Zermatt has a huge glacier ski area as well as some of the highest slopes in Europe.  The scenery is spectacular with the iconic Matterhorn dominating the skyline.

In Austria, the lively resort of St.Anton (up to 2,450m) boasts a great snow fall record for March and the beginning of April with fresh snow dumps not that un-common. 

So, if you want a family ski trip on a budget, would rather ski in glorious sunshine rather than being so cold that your toes feel as if they are being gnawed by a snowvole, and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere with less crowds, then Easter time is for you.

Mark Barber

Our new website….

It’s been a long time in coming – there’s been some false starts, a lot of frustration but now a lot of excitement as we launch our new website!

We have what we think is the best tool for organising a group ski or snow boarding holiday.

You know how you’ve had a couple of beers or a glass of wine too many and you stick your hand up and agree to organise that next trip to the mountains!  It’s going to be great fun looking for the right ski accommodation, the perfect resort to suit everyone and then…… John wants to change the date, Jo doesn’t want to go there but Jerry does and Joanne can’t get that week off work and asks can’t we go the week after but that clashes with Jamie’s work do and so it goes on as you get more frustrated as the email threads get longer and longer, the language on the Facebook discussion would embarrass your Mum – good job you’re not friends with her on Facebook.  You are?  Oh!  What’s that all about?  Anyway I digress, you now have access to the best group organising facility on the web with our new group booking tool!

Head over here to check it out and you can watch a short video of how it works as well.

You just pick a shortlist of resorts and dates and your mates vote on their preferred ones and you search our site for the ski accommodation that suits.  Holiday booked!  Easy!

Ski Deals – looking for the perfect deal?  These are all listed on our Ski Deals page, it could be an early booking discount, free transfer, peak week availability, you’ll find something to tempt you onto the snow!

Search by different categories for your holiday whether you are looking for a catered chalet or self catered apartment, a weekend trip, family holiday or want to find a luxury holiday you can find it easily.

Resorts – know which resort you want to go to? Then search by resort and check out all the ski accommodation in that resort, find links to the resorts website, Facebook page or if you have already booked then check out that all important snow report and webcam! We are also continually adding resort services to this so find the best deals for ski hire or snowboard hire, clothing and many other in resort services!

Travel - Booked your holiday but not sure how to get there?  Check out our Travel page for links you need whether you are driving, flying, training it or just need an airport transfer.  How to get to resorts are also listed on each resort page.

We have some great competitions lined up starting with 50 family tickets to the In The Snow Live ski show at the NEC on 25th – 27th October, half price deals on tickets to that if you aren’t one of the lucky ones.

If you find anything on the site that isn’t working then please do let us know (it is all new after all so there maybe a few glitches) or would you like to see something that isn’t on the site?  Again do get in touch!

We hope you love our new site as much as we do – we’re nearly as excited about it as we are that the new season is only four months away….. do we sound a little obsessed?

When is too late too late to take a ski holiday?

‘Isn’t that too late?’ I am often asked when I suggest looking at a March or April ski holiday. For some reason most people seem to think that the ski season finishes at the end of March and that is it for another winter. And some people seem to think that all the snow melts in February!

Most resorts this season do not shut up shop until around April 21st and some even later than that!  I have seen many a season end with the lifts closing while there is still some great skiing to be had.  Seems such a waste! I've had several powder days in March and even April! 

March can be a great time to ski as can April!  You have got the snow base down already so there is plenty of snow to ski on and the days are longer and often warmer, it is the perfect time to enjoy a bit of sunshine and longer days.  You may not know but a lot of resorts put the closing times of their lifts back half an hour or an hour as the season progresses so you literally do have more time to ski!

That said why not make the most of it and have a long leisurely lunch in the sun or an après ski beer on the terrace of a bar and soak up the rays?  Can’t do that because it’s snowing? Oh well more snow to play in – definitely not too late to ski then!  

There can be some great deals around at this time of year as well for March and April holidays.   Check out our Ski Deals page for all the latest bargains – you won’t regret it!

14th February - Snow Report from Le Grand Massif

Wow! The snow has been amazing!

I have been lucky enough to be staying in Les Carroz for the last couple of weeks and it has barely stopped snowing!

Half Term is next week and there are still some February Half Term deals available - take a look at our Ski Deals page to find out more and click here for specific half term ski deals.

There is 4.5 meters of snow at the top of Flaine and this is pretty much the same across the Alps.  I have been to visit chalet owners in Morzine and Verbier in the last week or so and they are all reporting exactly the same!

We made a video of us having some fun in the powder last week - if you haven't seen it then do take a look at it here and you can see how much snow there has been!

It really is turning into an epic season!  The snow keeps falling and whenever you have booked a holiday you should be up for some great skiing!  If you haven't booked yet then keep an eye on our ski deals page for some great offers!

Watch a video of our latet snow report here...

New Year’s Day Snow and Ski Report

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We hope you had a great 2012 celebrated in style last night, are not suffering too much today and have a fantastic 2013 planned!!

We have not had any snow since Santa brought us some at Christmas - we must have been good!!  Maybe!! 

However the conditions have been superb - superb snow on piste for carving it up or learning and even off piste is holding up though you do have to hunt that out to find it!

Find out more by watching our snow report - we think he may have had a late night, see how many (deliberate?!) mistakes he makes!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR - have a great 2013 we hope you get all the snow and ski and snowboard holidays you want!!

END OF SEASON REVIEW - 30 April 2012

So most resorts are now closed for the winter and nearly all still have snow - what a season it has been!! Arguably the best in living memory!

How was this possible when the press who always love a negative story were writing doom and gloom stories about no snow at the beginning of December?

Fortunately the weather doesn’t read the press and nor do we!  We ignored them and got on with skiing and organising holidays across the Alps and were lucky enough to get in plenty of skiing ourselves.

We here at Altitude skied Courchevel, Le Grand Massif (Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens, Morillon),  Morzine & Avoriaz in France and in Italy the Monterosa (Champuloc, Alagna & Gressoney) and all in amazing snow conditions from the powder of Courchevel at Christmas through to the spring snow in April!

The snow was amazing we had some great adventures including a very scary 50m abseil, watching friends jump off snow covered roofs and of course skiing some great runs both on and off piste!

Whilst we should remember the good times we can’t forget the sad news through the season the coach accident carrying children back from a ski holiday, the tragic loss of life in the Belgian coach accident, Sheffield Ski village burning down, the sad loss of life in accidents through the season all reminders that we should make the most of every minute we have on the slopes!

Hope you had some magical moments on the slopes this last winter – have a great summer!

And if you have snow withdrawl symptoms you can always check out our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts!

DRIVING HOME FROM CHRISTMAS

I’m dreaming of a White Christmas someone once sang and we all do, I should be used to them, having spent ten of the last twelve in the Alps but I still get excited about the idea of a white snowy Christmas!

And this year it was time to get very very excited!  With unnecessary alarmist media reports at the beginning of December, that I wrote about in a previous blog, the snow was now falling across the Alps. Unfortunately I wasn’t out there to enjoy the opening days of the season as lifts opened but some fantastic reports of skiing and snowboarding filtered back to the UK – fantastic pictures of deep snow on Facebook, early reports of great ski holidays on Twitter – I couldn’t wait!

My parents, sisters and their families had booked their ski holiday in a hotel in Courchevel and for a variety of reasons I couldn’t commit to the same holiday at the time so when I could book something I booked my girlfriend and my ski accommodation in a catered chalet on the other side of Courchevel.  It proved an inspired choice with our own space, able to eat with the family and a shortish walk home at the end of the night with an excuse to stop for a drink on the way home but still able to ski with the family!

We drove out and broke the journey at Troyes, a comfortable 5 hour drive from Calais where we had booked into a chain hotel and grabbed something to eat and got an early night before rising early and taking a morning stroll round the beautiful medieval town centre having a coffee and a croissant before jumping back in the car and heading onwards to the Alps with my excitement about skiing that fresh deep powder snow and my girlfriend’s excitement about the snow (she doesn't ski but loves the snow as much as I do) growing!

The miles ticked by and we arrived in Les Carroz where we were to spend a couple of days, enjoy a great day of powder skiing, a few beers, an open fire and then we were on the way to Courchevel. 

The chalet was great, very comfortable with an open fire to relax in front of, the staff were great and they couldn’t do enough for us and Rich the chef provided superb food even for my special dietary requirements!

The snow just kept falling – some fabulous powder skiing and you couldn’t ask for a whiter Christmas!  Whether it was skiing the off piste around 1850 or the quieter slopes over in 1650 (a personal favourite area of mine), for some reason doesn’t get as busy and the snow is great – check it out when you next ski The Three Valleys.  We loved the snow, the roads had to be constantly cleared, our car had to be dug out and then it snowed some more! And that was all before Christmas! 

Christmas Day itself was fantastic with the weather clearing, some great skiing with the family, entertainment on the slopes in the resort centre for the children (big and small!) and a traditional Christmas meal!

It was soon time to be going home and another drive back across France.  This time we went via Dijon and a lovely stop over there.

Driving home from Christmas! Dreaming of a white Christmas.