The Best Ski Resorts For Groups

The 5 Best Ski Resorts For Groups

Organising a group ski holiday can be an arduous task, with a wide mix of ski ability and personal tastes to cater for. There's so much to consider it can be a real headache to organise and pick the best ski resort for your group. Whether you're a large group of friends, a group of families who go away every year or a company looking to take employees skiing, flexiski can help out in finding the right resort and, just as importantly, the right accommodation for you. 

A big factor for group skiing can be timing when you book your group ski holiday, as the earlier you get started, the more options are available.

We're in June as I'm writing this and already many of the chalets are getting booked up for peak dates and hotel availability is getting tight in certain resorts for the larger groups.

To get the most out of your group or family ski break, early booking is key and as much as I hate cliches, organisation is essential.

Getting Started - The Best Group Ski Holidays

Our Ski Experts can take all the hassle out of group ski break organisation and save you plenty of time by using their wealth of knowledge to find you the best accommodation out there for the best price as well. When speaking to our customers we've found that, yes the ski area size and variability is a big factor but there are other more important things to consider for group ski holidays:

Quality accommodation - something that's going to provide an amazing space for your group to enjoy and not simply the cheapest option

Price - it's obviously important to find something within everyone's budget whilst being great quality at the same time. This is where some group discounts can help

Activities - the skiing is great but there needs to be a little more to do, especially where kids are involved but who doesn't love a bit of tobogganing or a fire and ice show

Après/nightlife - this invariably pops up, it's not always about jager bombs and table dancing, it can just be great places to chill out together, a decent game of nails or a bit of live music to look forward to

Scenery - there's nothing that sets a holiday off on the right tone more than rocking up to a beautiful ski resort, instant smile machine, you can't underestimate it

We know each group of friends, families and colleagues are different so below we look at the best ski resorts for different groups. There are very few 'one-size-fits-all' ski resorts out there, so where you pick massively depends on your preferences.

Our top four resorts for group and family ski holidays:

1. Meribel

Chances are you've probably heard of Meribel or even been there. Famed for its chalet-style buildings amongst the trees and an après ski scene to be proud of. A firm British favourite, its hard to beat as a group ski destination, in the heart of the largest linked ski area in the world (600km of skiing) you have cruisy skiing over in Courchevel and high altitude adrenaline up in Val Thorens but there's more than enough in Meribel itself. This could be the resort that has it all.

What we like

✔️ Undoubtedly one of the prettiest resort in the three valleys with peaked wooden roofs interrupting the conifers and mountain views

✔️ Energetic après ski with the famed Rond Point as well as the Folie Douce and plenty more options back in town

✔️ Fantastic skiing for all abilities, you won't find more varied ski slopes anywhere else

✔️ Being a relatively large resort there's plenty of activities to go with it; bowling, cinema, horse-drawn tours, ice skating, wall climbing, swimming...

Worth knowing

The transfer is two to two and a half hours from Geneva airport

It is predominantly an English resort, which is both good and bad depending on how you look at it

Ski schools are great for kids and adults alike

Summary: It'd be hard to find a group Meribel wasn't suitable for, maybe those looking for a small resort with slopes to themselves wouldn't love it here but would still have a good time.

2. Avoriaz

If you're looking a shorter break ski holiday - maybe 4 or 5 nights - then Avoriaz ticks a lot of boxes. Only 1.5 hours from Geneva Airport, snow sure at 1,800m and the majority of the accommodation is ski-in/ski-out, which means you really do maximise your ski time. Not only that, it is part of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, giving you 600km of pistes to explore.

What we like

✔️ The proximity to Geneva Airport for short breaks

✔️ Good level of après ski with the famed Folie Douce and plenty more options around town

✔️ Plenty to do for non-skiers, with loads of cafes and restaurants, the Aquariaz swimming complex, bowling and more

✔️ Ski-in/ski-out accommodation, including lots of catered chalet options

Worth knowing

The transfer is 1.5 hours from Geneva Airport

Chalets sleep between 8 - 24 people, perfect for groups

Ski schools are great for kids and adults alike

Summary: It'd be hard to find a better resort for a short ski break!

3. Engelberg

Engelberg in Switzerland is a popular choice for those looking for a relatively low-cost option, but that's only as it's not that well known. But trust us, it's up there amongst the best in our opinion. Engelberg is a great little town complete with a Benedictine monastery it was built around. The ski area soars up to 3,239m at the top of the glacier with a 2,000m vertical drop to town. Snow comes in abundance here so anyone looking to try a bit of powder skiing would be in luck.

What we like

✔️ A great little town with loads going on, try the Yucatan club for live music and plenty of beer (more beer sold than any other bar in central Switzerland we're told)

✔️ High, snow-sure skiing with consistently one of the best snow records in Europe

✔️ Extensive off-piste skiing

✔️ Great value accommodation

✔️ Activities such as tobogganing, air-boarding, Europe's highest suspension bridge, rotating sight-seeing cable car, snowmobiling, igloo village and snowshoeing

Worth knowing

The town wasn't built to be a ski resort as it was founded by monks, therefore it will probably be easier to hop on the bus in the mornings to get to the lifts

Although there's plenty of skiing for all levels, Engelberg is most suited to confident intermediate and advanced skiers

1 hour 30 minute transfer from Zurich Airport (or 1 hour 45 mins by train) - it doesn't get much more convenient

Summary: Engelberg is a great option for those looking for some high altitude skiing in a striking landscape. There's plenty going on in the town and the convenience of being so close to Zurich is hard to beat. The resort is great for short breaks and many of the hotels put on special events & offers for large groups.

4. Tignes

Our Ski Experts love Tignes, and so do our customers. There is some of the best skiing in the Alps across the Val d'Isere-Tignes ski area, the accommodation is wide and varied (perfect for groups of all sizes), and there are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants to choose from. Another British favourite, its a great group ski destination, ideal for trips of 4 nights or more, and has both Cocoricos AND a Folie Douce to keep apres lovers happy.

What we like

✔️ Undoubtedly some of the best skiing in the Alps

✔️ Excellent après ski options from quiet bars in Lavachet, Folie Douce up the mountain, Cocoricos in Val Claret and Loop bar in Tignes Le Lac

✔️ Fantastic snow sure skiing for all abilities

✔️ Excellent range of accommodation options to suit all group types

Worth knowing

The transfer is 2.5 hours from Geneva Airport

Get a picture beneath the 'eye of the needle' - the iconic rock feature above Tignes

Ski schools are great for kids and adults alike

Summary: Tignes has some of the best skiiing in the Alps. You can explore Val d'Isere easily too, and there are plentiful accommodation, restaurant and bar options, so everyone should have a good time.

5. St Anton

The party capital of the Alps, St Anton is a perennial favourite with flexiski customers. A huge and varied ski area with a great snow record as well as some of the liveliest après ski on the mountains. The Mooserwirt is our personal favourite though the Basecamp umbrella bar at the bottom of the slopes has some pretty spectacular live sax sessions and is a great place from which to watch the last stragglers come down the mountain.

What we like

✔️ The après scene, it's all about a few post-ski beers (other beverages are available) and having a good time before heading back to your accommodation for dinner

✔️ The ski area is great, the areas around Stuben and Zurs are great to avoid the crowds and get some cruisy skiing in

✔️ Short transfer from Innsbruck, as little fuss as possible - easy by car or train

✔️ A great range of hotels and apartments to choose from

✔️ There's a great toboggan run if you fancy a bit of a thrill or the Skiing Buddha overlooks the indoor climbing walls if you're happier watching the adrenaline junkies than participating yourself

Worth knowing

It is an après destination so young children may have a better time elsewhere

The slopes can get crowded at bottle-neck points, but it's rarely much of an issue

The slopes back to town can be challenging at the end of the day, so if you're learning it may be worth getting the gondola down

Summary: St. Anton is a fantastic ski resort to head to if you're looking for one big party, there are quieter areas and much more besides but the après is the big draw

In Summary

Group skiing can be the highlight of the season, they can be amazing when everything goes right and a nightmare if it all falls apart. We're here to make sure you have the best experience possible and to take all the hassle out of a group ski break. We can:

• Organise everything from accommodation only through to flights, transfers, lift passes, ski rental, ski lessons and activities
• Use any UK airport with corresponding flights
• Can hold hotel and chalet options for you whilst you round up the troops
• Call/take payment from individual group members so you don't have to be responsible for the entire cost
• Use our knowledge to recommend the best resorts and accommodation for your group

Speak to our ski specialists on +44(0)1962 587777 to chat about any options you have in mind, or ask them for their opinions. For some offers check out our Ski Deals page or enquire online.