resorts

TRYING to choose the right ski resort for the family – especially if you have beginners or young additions – can be tricky.

Thankfully, there are some great resorts depending on what different needs you have, as well as some great deals alongisde.

Crystal Ski Holidays has done the hard work and broken down some of the best in Europe.

Some don’t even have to break the bank, with a week-long trip including flights for just over £500 each.

So here are eight different resorts, based on younger skiers, new skiers, to those who want some cozy resorts or party resorts. 

Best for Little Ones

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Hundfjället, Sweden 

Just a 15–20 minutes transfer from the airport, Hundfjället is easy to get to and simple to navigate.

The resort is designed with families in mind.

This means features such as Valle the Snowman and Trollskogen, an enchanting forest filled with wooden trolls and storybook creatures as children make their way down the slopes. 

And when having a break from skiing, children can enjoy tubing, mini snowmobiles, or relaxing at the hotel’s spa. 

Seven nights at SkiStar Lodge Hundfjället  with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,233pp.

Best for Beginners

Soldeu, Andorra 

Soldeu offers calm, family-friendly skiing, with the main gondola taking visitors straight to nursery slopes and the ski school.

Wide green and blue runs through the trees make progression easy.

And younger kids can build confidence in the playful Baba Boom Circus area, complete with obstacles and fun features. 

Seven nights at Apartamentos Prat De Les Molleres with return flights, 23kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,615pp.

Rauris, Austria 

A peaceful, compact resort, Rauris is perfect for first-time skiers.

Everything is within walking distance – from family-run accommodation to the gondola and ski school.

Children can learn on the nursery slopes, progress to gentle blue runs with panoramic views, or have fun on the mini racetrack.

Off-slope activities include sleigh rides, ice climbing, and snowshoeing under the stars. 

Seven nights at Hotel Rauriserhof  with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £997pp.

Best for Alpine Charm & Comfort

Obergurgl, Austria 

High in the Austrian Alps, Obergurgl combines alpine charm with family convenience.

Quiet slopes and excellent ski schools help children gain confidence quickly, while parents enjoy high-quality hotels, hearty Tyrolean cuisine, and stunning mountain views.

Family-friendly facilities like pools and playrooms add extra appeal, and reliable snow cover keeps everyone happy all season. 

Seven nights at Obergurgl, Austria with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,967pp.

Flaine, France 

Flaine has both sunny slopes and reliable snow, ideal for beginners and families.

Kids can enjoy Crystal Childcare while exploring beginner areas, and there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained off the slopes – from ice skating and bowling to magical dog sled rides. 

And with accommodation near the lifts it ensures a smooth and comfortable stay. 

Seven nights at Dormio Resort Les Portes du Grand Massif with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,770pp.

Best for Off-Slope Fun

Zell am See, Austria 

Set beside a pretty lake, Zell am See combines scenic beauty with family-friendly adventures.

Kids can ski in Schmidolin’s Dragon Park, with themed fun runs and a dragon mascot.

Families can also enjoy sleigh rides, an alpine rollercoaster, and explore the lively lakeside town.

It even has one of Austria’s largest ski schools, so the resort caters to all abilities. 

Seven nights Boutique Hotel Martha  with return flights, 23kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,164pp.

La Plagne, France 

La Plagne is perfect for families that want a more gentle terrain with beginner-friendly runs.

But there is lots to do off the slopes too including ice skating, igloo villages, and even an ice grotto on the glacier.

There is a huge variety of accommodation options and welcoming resorts ensure comfort for all ages. 

Seven nights at Premium Residence Les Hauts Bois, Plagne Aime 2000  with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £507pp.

Best for Arctic Adventures

Ruka, Finland 

For an authentic winter wonderland, Ruka offers traditional log cabins and slope-side stays, so mornings with the kids are extra easy.

It is also just 20 minutes from the airport, so you don’t have to travel far.

Otherwise the resort has a number of gentle runs, family parks with magic carpets and fun obstacles.

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Don’t forget to go dog sledding and on reindeer safaris.

Seven nights at Aurinkorinne Apartments with with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,348pp.

A CHAIN of holiday parks in the UK has gone into administration, affecting 11 resorts across the country.

Cove UK is one of Britain’s biggest caravan park operators, behind Parkdean and Wyldecrest Parks.

Cove UK parks affected by the administration include Solway Holiday Park in Cumbria, which had space for 1,600 pitches, as well as Gwel an Mor Resort in Cornwall.

Eight holiday parks run by Argyll Holidays – with a combined 1,800 pitches – are also affected.

This is due to Argyll Holidays being bought by Cove UK for £100million in 2022.

This includes:

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• Drimsynie Holiday Village
• Hunters Quay Holiday Village
• Loch Awe Holiday Park
• Loch Eck Caravan Park
• Loch Eck Country Lodges
• Loch Lomond Holiday Park
• St Catherines Caravan Park
• Stratheck Holiday Park

Springwood Holiday Park, not part of Argyll Holidays, has also been affected.

Administrators Alvarez & Marsal Europe have been called in to Cove Communities Holiday Park UK Holdco Limited (HPUK).

This also includes three subsidiaries – Cove Communities Venture 2 Gwel an Mor OpCo Ltd, Cove Communities Venture 2 Solway OpCo Ltd, and Cove Communities Venture 2 Springwood OpCo Ltd.

Of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP, Adam Paxton, Rob Croxen and Ben Cairns have been appointed as joint administrators to Cove Communities Venture 2 Argyle OpCo Ltd, another subsidiary.

However, they have confirmed that holidaymakers will not be affected as the parks are currently closed for the season.

Adam Paxton, managing director, said: “As administrators, our priority is to ensure a smooth transition and maintain stability across the parks.

“We are working to ensure day-to-day operations continue with minimal disruption.

“Owners, residents and holidaymakers should not be impacted, and can contact the site managers with any questions they may have.”

They confirmed they would trade the company under the joint administrator’s supervision whilst “sale options are explored”.

The letter stated: “Please be assured that our priority is to ensure the continued smooth operation of the holiday parks and to keep homeowners and residents informed as matters progress.

“Going forward, all payments for site fees and any other services should no longer be made to the previous bank account.”

Seal Bay Resort in West Sussex is not being affected.

A Cove UK spokesperson told Sun Travel: “We confirm that administrators have been appointed to Cove Communities Holiday Park HoldCo Limited and its subsidiaries, and this affects a number of holiday parks across the UK.

“Seal Bay, our largest resort under the Cove UK group, is not part of the administration process and continues to trade as normal for our guests and owners.

“Our focus remains on serving our customers and executing our long-term strategy. We appreciate the continued support of our employees, owners and customers.”

Many caravan owners have been left gutted by the news, with one calling it an “end of an era”.

Another said: “Really worrying news. Biggest financial mistake we’ve made is buying a caravan there.”

Holiday parks have become popular for more than 100 years, with the first opening in 1894 on the Isle of Man.

However, many have since run into disrepair or been forced to close, following the rise in cheap package holidays abroad.

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Back in August, Baltic Wharf Caravan and Motorhome Club site, on Bristol’s harbourside, closed after 47 years.

And back in April Pontins Pakefield Holiday Village closed after 80 years.

Projected season opening date: By Thanksgiving, if Mother Nature cooperates, or by Yule on Dec. 21 at the latest.

What makes it special: Only 45 miles from Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains, Mt. Baldy has 26 runs spread over 800 acres and three mountains. It also has a respectable vertical descent of 2,100 feet with wide-open glades, tree runs, bowls, moguls, groomed runs, cornices and quarter pipes. For those who don’t ski or snowboard, Mt. Baldy also offers snow tubing.

What’s new this season: With upgrades, Lift No. 3 now features more comfortable carriers to the top of Thunder Mountain at 8,600 feet. Chair No. 4 on the west side has a new drive and control system, allowing year-round use with both uphill and downhill loading when conditions permit. Continuous improvements to snowmaking are also helping Mt. Baldy open earlier each season. The resort’s former Last Name Brewing has rebranded as Mt. Baldy Brewery.

Lift ticket prices: Mt. Baldy season passes are currently on sale through Christmas Day: adults are $549 (regularly $799), teens and seniors are $449 (regularly $639) and children under 12 are $279 (regularly $399). You can pre-purchase lift tickets online for a discount. Walk-up tickets are $129 on busy days when the mountain is in full operation.

Pro-tip: Mt. Baldy has the most steep runs in Southern California. Advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders might want to head to Chair 1 to try “Nightmare,” a 36-degree slope that maintains its drop for 1,000 vertical feet.

A UK SEASIDE resort’s only Christmas market has been axed after just one year.

No one has come forward to run the event after the organisers decided to “take a break” this year.

Business owners Anne-Marie Chebib, Becky Stevens and Lisa Norman brought the first Winter Fayre to Brighton’s Valley Gardens last year.

However, they have now decided to take a break from running the event after only one year.

The website Brightonwinter states: “The team have decided to take a break from the Brighton Winter Fayre this year.

“We’re so grateful for all the support the event has had, and we hope to bring it back in the future.”

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Brighton and Hove City Council has confirmed no one suitable has come forward to take on a similar event in time for Christmas reports The Argus.

The popular Winter Fayre included food and drink stalls as well as a Santa’s grotto, plus children’s workshops and carol singers.

There were also winter night events for adults and live music which were deemed popular.

But, last year’s event was hit with a series of unfortunate events when it was forced to close due to the arrival of Storm Darragh.

Sadly, on opening day, the fair had to be evacuated due to high winds and a tent poll collapsing in a marquee.

Luckily it was reported that no-one was badly injured due to the incident and the team were quick to respond and make sure the marquee was cleared.

However, the fair’s final weekend also had to be cancelled due to more bad weather.

The Winter Fayre came after Brighton was left without a Christmas market back in 2023 when it was run under different organisers.

E3 Events who organised the 2022 event was forced to end their deal earlier due to Covid, rising costs and supply chain problems.

Brighton and Hove City Council then faced a race against time to find a commercial partner able to chip in around £70,000.

Sadly, they were unable to find anyone in 2023 and the fair didn’t go ahead then either.

Speaking of this year’s event, Councillor Birgit Miller, cabinet member for culture, heritage and tourism at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “As always there will be plenty of festive events taking place across the city but, unfortunately, following the decision by the private operators of the Brighton Winter Fayre to take a break this year, there is unlikely to be a market-style event.

“This was a privately venture, not a council event, and the reality is nobody suitable has come forward offering to run a similar event in its place.”

YOU’RE in the Alps for a ski holiday – you’ve got your gear, your lift pass and the optimism that you won’t wipe out on a blue run as kids whizz past you.

But what if skiing on a skiing holiday is optional?

What if there’s an Alpine world that doesn’t require you to throw yourself downhill at speed?

The wild and wonderful phenomenon of après-ski only gears up after the lifts stop — and the party gets going.

Après-ski is no small affair — this is not just drinks before dinner.

In the Three Valleys area of the French Alps, après is a daily festival and feels like a way of life.

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Picture this: a live band steps on stage ahead of a DJ surrounded by strobe lights, crowds are dancing on the tables (in ski boots) and bobble hats are thrown in the air.

This melee of strangers is swaying together, drinks in hand, as revellers sing at the top of their lungs.

This is a kind of Alpine Glastonbury, where people swap flower crowns and flags for puffer jackets and goggles.

And the best part? You don’t have to ski or snowboard to enjoy it.

The Three Valleys is known for some of the best slopes in the world, with almost 600km of pistes, as high as 3,000 metres, to pick from.

But interconnected Valleys resorts Méribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens also showcase thousands of music gigs.

The magic is thanks to London and Méribel-based agency Après Ski Bands, which books more than 3,500 such events per season across 130 venues.

These aren’t bog-standard cover bands — they’re high-energy pros, picked in X Factor-style auditions in the UK, who turn ski resorts into concert venues during winter.

In five days in the Alps, I saw nine superb acts without even trying — starting with party band Magnolia, ending with DJ and MC duo Rio & Rhymes and acts in between including emerging alt-rock talent Pattern Pusher and diverse après heroes The Wingmen.

For folk fans, there’s guitarist Chris Quinn, who opened for the Jools Holland Orchestra, and singer-songwriter Albert Jones, who appeared on BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Performing in the Alps is hard graft, as musicians play up to 140 dates in a single season.

At Lodge Du Village in Méribel alone, there are 900 live gigs each winter — with Mondays to Wednesdays often wilder than Saturday nights (free shots for those who arrive early).

Le Rond Point — or Ronnie — in Méribel is one of those places where you show up for one drink and suddenly it’s four hours later, and you’re leading a conga line and wearing someone else’s unicorn onesie.

And let’s not forget ultra-Insta La Folie Douce, a venue likened to Ibiza in the snow. If it sounds like an attack on the senses, that’s because it is.

But if partying isn’t really your thing, there are other things on offer in the Valleys.

For a touch of luxury, hit a hotel spa or soak in your chalet’s outdoor hot tub with a glass of fizz, watching skiers from a distance.

If you want to be on the white stuff minus the face-planting, then snowshoeing or sled-dog walking are great for exploring at a gentle pace.

Then, of course, there is the ultimate Alpine sport — eating.

Food here is an attraction in itself, with Méribel’s Le Cro Magnon and La Terrasse du Village delivering everything from hearty Savoyard to refined French-British fusion.

If you come to the Alps and don’t eat fondue, tartiflette or raclette, did you even visit the Alps?

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And now it’s not just a winter thing, with resorts shifting towards year-round tourism, meaning the party doesn’t stop when the snow starts to melt in April.

Whether you’re dancing on tables, belting out rock anthems with a crowd of strangers, exploring snowy forests, or eating your bodyweight in cheese, you’ve made it down a black run to holiday heaven.