Arranging an independent holiday

Travelling independently is becoming more and more popular. It's easy to arrange everything in advance allowing you to control what you do, and when and where you do it.

Arranging accommodation
Booking your accommodation over the internet is simple and gives you a wide choice of lodging options - see the wide range of accommodation available on the Origin Sports Property Directory pages.

Make sure you check things such as the location in the resort and the number of rooms available etc.

It is always advisable to book your accommodation in advance. Most mountain resorts are very busy in the winter and accommodation gets booked up quickly.

If you prefer to wait until you arrive in resort before booking accommodation be prepared to take what is available which might mean sub-standard or very expensive lodgings.

Time spent finding your accommodation when you arrive will also mean less time on the slopes – which can’t be good!

Arranging airport, coach, and train station transfers

There are specialist transfer companies that can be booked in advance offering transfers from the main airports and stations to the more popular resorts. However, the price of these services can be expensive.

Alternatively you can use public transport. However, not all ski and snowboard resorts are serviced by trains or buses so in some cases it may be necessary to also use taxis.

Remember, you may have a lot of luggage with you (winter jackets, ski pants etc) and it's usually pretty cold in winter sports resorts so try to have as few changes of transport as possible.

Arranging your skiing and boarding

It's easy to arrange your skiing and boarding when you arrive in your resort. However, the internet also allows you to sort things out in advance if you want to or in many cases this can be arranged through your accommodation provider.

Arranging your lift pass
Lift pass prices vary enormously so it's best to check the local tourist information websites before you go to find out how much you will need to pay.

Some ski and snowboard resorts sell their lift passes to tour operators at a discounted rate so you may end up paying slightly more as an independent traveller as you will need to purchase directly from the lift pass office. However, companies such as Ski Extras allow you to buy discounted lift passes and other products over the internet so make sure you shop around - click this link to see a selection of Cheap Lift Passes from Ski Extras. 

The lift pass offices are usually easy to locate in the centre of most ski and snowboard resorts. If in doubt go to the tourist office or the base of any of the resort's central lifts and ask an attendant.

Always check before you go to see whether you will need a passport-size photo for your lift pass.

Arranging skiing and snowboarding lessons
If you are new to winter sports you should definitely have lessons.

Tuition will allow you to progress more quickly and it will lessen your chances of injury

With good tuition you will be able to enjoy the mountains much more.

Most winter sports resorts have at least one ski and snowboarding school – if you are heading for a less well known resort it's probably worth checking with the local tourist information office first.

Lessons are on a group or one-to-one basis.

Many ski and snowboard schools now have their own websites that allow you to book lessons in advance.

Booking in advance can be worthwhile just in case you are unable to get a lesson on the day you intend to hit the slopes for the first time. There’s nothing worse than watching everyone else enjoying themselves while you wait for a spare instructor.

Similarly, if you are intending joining a group lesson make sure you check the times in advance as they often only have a couple of start times a day.

Arranging equipment rental
You may have decided to take your own equipment with you in which case you don’t need to worry about equipment hire.

However, if you are new to winter sports you might want to consider renting before you buy.

The biggest drawback with renting equipment in the resort is that rental shops can get very busy especially at the weekends when tourists on package deals arrive at the same time as the locals.

If you have access to a vehicle while you are away you can often find equipment rental shops on the main roads into the resort so this is an option if you want to avoid the crowds.

Another option is to arrange your equipment hire before you travel. 

Companies such as Ski Extras allow you to book your equipment over the internet to collect from resort rental shops when you arrive - click this link for prices on Ski Hire.

You can also hire your equipment from UK rental shops.

You will need to carry the extra equipment in your luggage and this might mean paying for ski carriage with your airline if you are flying.

However renting in the UK will allow you plenty of time to choose the equipment that is right for you rather than feeling rushed and having to potentially deal with language problems in resort rental shops.