As the summer months come to an end, and the ski season is fast approaching, many travellers are starting to plan their ski and snowboarding trips for the 2020-21 season.
Predictions are forecasting a strong season, with the Ski Club of Great Britain finding that 95% of Brits* would go skiing this season, and many European ski resorts announcing new social distancing measures. Whilst commercial flight availability may still be affected, Air Charter Service, the world’s largest aircraft charter broker, can facilitate private flights to all of the top ski locations in Europe.
Many of Europe’s ski resorts are best accessed by private jet, with scenic mountain landing strips right in the heart of resorts meaning skiers can avoid busy commercial flights and resort transfers. Skiers wanting to stay in their “Ski Bubble” can take a private jet to their resort, followed by a private transfer to their chalet and then enjoy the mountain fresh air, avoiding crowded hotels and commercial flights completely. Here is Air Charter Service’s pick of the top European ski destinations best reached by private jet for the winter season:
European ski resorts – ST MORITZ, SWITZERLAND:
Boasting world-class resorts, five-star restaurants and the perfect powdery snow, St Moritz is the perfect luxurious mountain getaway. Due to its remote location, commercial airlines cannot use the short runway at Samedan St Moritz Airport, meaning a private jet will fly skiers directly to the best powder snow in Switzerland.
Air Charter Service can facilitate flights from London to St Moritz from £9,000 on a Light jet seating 6-7 people, or from £13,000 on a Midsize jet seating 8 people.
European ski resorts – COURCHEVEL, FRANCE:
Located in the famous 3 Valleys ski area, the world’s largest ski area, Courchevel is a great resort for those wanting world-class skiing and abundance of pistes to explore. Courchevel Altiport is nestled within the mountains at 2,008m altitude and considered one of the most dramatic landing strips in the world, even featuring as a backdrop for James Bond movies. Skiers can touch down in the mountains and be straight on the slopes.
Air Charter Service can facilitate flights from London to Courchevel Altiport from £10,000 on a turbo-prop aircraft seating 8 people (the flight is subject to weather and requires a fuel stop). Alternatively, passengers can fly to Chambéry from £9,000 for a Light jet seating 6-7 people or a Midsize jet seating 8 people from £11,000, followed by a helicopter transfer to Courchevel from £2,500.
European ski resorts – CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY:
Loved by the jet set and Italian aristocracy, Cortina located in the Dolomiti Superski area, is an ideal destination for a weekend ski getaway. A beautiful resort with a 1,000-year history, literary enthusiasts should head to Ernest Hemingway’s regular haunt De La Poste for civilised après ski cocktails. Skiers can take a private jet to Venice Marco Polo Airport, followed by a 25-minute helicopter trip to the resort.
Air Charter Service can facilitate flights from London to Venice Marco Polo from £10,000 on a Light jet seating 6-7 people, or Midsize jet seating 8 people from £13,000, before taking a helicopter transfer to Cortina from £5,000.
European ski resorts – LAAX, SWITZERLAND:
The ski region of Flims Laax Falera includes pistes of all grades of difficulty, making it an ideal choice for families, friends and couples of varying abilities. With 235 kilometres of pistes stretching across more than 100 square kilometres of snow-sure slopes, the ski area constitutes one of Switzerland’s largest, connected winter-sports regions. Considered the best resort in Europe for freeride Snowsports, adventurous skiers wanting to push themselves can learn tips and tricks from the experts at Freestyle Academy LAAX while intermediate skiers have plenty of blue and red pistes to choose from. Travellers can take a private jet to Zurich, followed by a private helicopter flight to the resort.
Air Charter Service can facilitate flights from London to Zurich from £8,000 on a Light jet seating 6-7 people, or from £10,000 for a Midsize jet seating 8 people, before taking a helicopter transfer to Laax from £5,000.
*Source: Ski Club of Great Britain Consumer Research, August 2020