Some of the best resorts in the world are within easy reach of East Midlands Airport.
TUI offer many of the flights from East Midlands to Europe’s finest ski resorts.
TUI fly to Salzburg from EMA, with flights approximately 2hrs. Salzburg is the gateway to many of Austria’s top resorts. Among the most famous is Kitzbühel, which hosts the Hahnenkamm World Cup downhill race every January. More than 50 lifts serve 92 pistes that satisfy skiers of all abilities. Excellent après-ski is available among its cobbled medieval streets.
Other resorts with easy connections from Salzburg include Soll, the main resort in the Ski Welt – Austria’s second-largest lift-linked ski area covering 284km of runs, with Soll boasting plenty of lively bars and restaurants but also with a good reputation for being family friendly; and Alpbach, a charming Tyrolean village offering a quieter option to some of the resorts, with all the amenities you need and access to some great skiing.
TUI fly to Chambery from EMA, with flights approximately 2hr 5mins. The fourth largest ski area in France, Les Sybelles, is within close reach of Chambery, offering over 300km of pistes and 71 lifts.
Other resorts close to Chambery include La Toussuire, suited to all standards and snowboarders have the choice of two terrain parks; and Saint Sorlin d’Arves with 120km of pistes of its own, as well as being connected to the wider skiing area in the scenic Maurienne Valley.
TUI fly to Turin which in winter is regarded as one of the best ski resorts in Italy – think high-altitude slopes, no crowds and stunning mountain views. Resorts including Sauze D’Oulx, Pragelato and Sestriere all offer great snow conditions throughout the season, around one and a half hours from the airport in the heart of Italy’s biggest ski area, The Milky Way.
Jet2.com fly from EMA to Geneva, with flights approximately 1hr 50mins. The largest ski area from Geneva is the Portes du Soleil, with an all-area pass offering access to 308 pistes and 209 lifts. The main resorts in the area include Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz, all great options for beginners, families and intermediate skiers, with a variety of amenities.
Other resorts within easy reach of Geneva include La Clusaz with 125km of pistes, a top height of 2,600m and plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and services; Samoëns, with 30 restaurants and 15 bars to relax in after a hard day on the slopes; and Chamonix – a top choice for families for its gentle runs for beginners.
An alternative to the Alps are Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains Reached from EMA via Malaga airport with Ryanair or Jet2.com, and a two-hour transfer by road, it is the third highest mountain range in Europe with a ski season often through to April. It offers 100km of pistes suitable for all abilities, served by 21 ski lifts including some recent additions to keep queuing to a minimum.
Popular with young skiers, there’s a wide range of bars and restaurants available in the resort as well as up the mountain. It’s also another great destination for young families, with excellent facilities for beginners. Later in the season there’s even the tempting prospect of combining a ski trip with a beach holiday!