Winter Sports – What’s New In Europe This Season
It’s been a less-than-perfect couple of years on the slopes, with snow cover not always guaranteed, especially around the edges of winter sports season. Average temperatures in Alpine regions have risen 2C from pre-industrial levels, which is far more than the overall global figure of 1.1C.
In the world of winter sports, that’s only propelled lots of exciting innovation, change and upgrades across Europe this ski season. For starters, Nordic resorts appear to be more popular than ever, while traditional destinations have created new offerings and increased artificial snow-making capacity to keep sports enthusiasts heading their way. In all, there’s lots to look forward to this season. Here’s a lowdown of what’s new and trending.
Upgrades in Les Deux Alpes in France
Les Deux Alpes in France open up the final results of two-year upgrade. Last year, Vallee Blanche in the west of the resort got spruced up, with two new lifts, a new restaurant and a bigger-friendly piste. This year, the resort gets even better, with the opening of the Jandri 3S, a high-speed gondola that lifts skiers and pedestrians from 1650m to 3200m in just 17 minutes, after which pedestrians can then take a newly renovated funicular up to 3400 m. At the tail end of the season, there’s also the opening of Black Garden, an elite-level double-black slope. Finally, expect three new restaurants, and a new sanctuary of well-being, Terres Almā.
Travel to the Alps the sustainable way
Given that winter sports are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, it’s only right to consider train travel as an option to get to resorts. Happily the Eurostar has increased the stretch of the year in which it whisks passengers from London St Pancras to Bourg St Maurice in the heart of the Alps.
It now runs between 21 December 2024 and 1 March 2025, operating once a week so that it departs London on Saturdays, and returns on Sundays. It involves one change at Lille, and the train then stops at Chambery, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime la Plagne and Bourg St Maurice, where you can get an onward transfer to the resorts of Courchevel, La Plagne, Val Thorens, Tignes, Val d’Isère, Meribel and Les Arcs.
As well as the lower carbon footprint, the advantage of catching the train is the generous luggage allowance. Each passenger can bring two suitcases and skis or a snowboard – which can save a small fortune of airline baggage fees.
More value for money options to combat rising costs
Thanks to a perfect storm of inflation, the cost of living crisis and uncertain skiing conditions, costs for winter sport holidays have risen. But you can still get a bargain this season. Not only can you get last minute deals on trips when airlines and resorts want to fill seats, but cost-saving self-catering chalets are becoming more popular too.
There’s also value for money trips via UCPA. It’s France’s non-profit organisation to encourage sports, and it runs hostel-like residences across many mountain resorts. So if you don’t mind bunking with other people, you’ll find great prices where meals, lift passes, equipment hire and ski lessons are included. Of course, it’s wildly popular, and its family breaks sell out super quickly, but this year, they’ve doubled their programme for 18 to 30 year olds. It’s worth checking out to see if you can grab a bargain break – prices start at £541 for a week.
Scandinavian skiing is on the rise
With skiing in mainland Europe more hit or miss than it was a decade ago, there’s a bigger market for winter sports in Scandinavia, which, as more northerly destination, is colder and more likely to deliver ideal skiing conditions. Nordic specialist Ski Scandinavia has reported a 22% uptick in bookings, while tour operator Ski Solutions reported a 64% year-on-year surge in December 2024 bookings for Norway. It helps that this year’ there are 14% more direct flights between London and Norway, making it more accessible than ever. As the Northern Lights are at their most active this year, it means winter sports fans can tick that off the bucket list too.
Upgrades at Val d’Isère, France
Voted one of Conde Nast’s Best Ski Resorts in Europe, the mega resort of Val d’Isère is a skier’s playground, with high quality slopes, plenty of snow but Europe’s largest artificial snow-making plant in Europe as a back up, and a buzzing party scene too. This season, there’s even more fun to be had, with upgraded gondolas ferrying skiers to 2790m, new electric shuttle buses, more sustainably-powered piste groomers, and the Experimental Chalet: a new lush hotel with 113 rooms, two restaurants, a cocktail bar and spa. It’s not the cheapest or quietest resort to pick, but it’s ideal for an energetic holiday to leave you revived.
If you’re heading to the slopes this winter make sure to pack a Switched On Winter Sports policy! With our specialist cover you get a 24/7 emergency medical helpline, protection for hired or owned equipment, ski packs and piste closure as well as cover for off piste skiing or boarding (within the resort boundaries). Find out more here.