Ski, Snowboard & Snow Tours & Trips

What our customers ask about Ski, Snowboard & Snow Tours & Trips

• When is the best time to book a ski tour?

  For places like Finland and Canada, you'll find the best skiing from December through March, with February typically having the best snow. If you're heading to New Zealand's South Island, plan for July through September. Most skiers book 3-6 months ahead to get better prices and make sure they get a spot, especially for popular places like Finnish Lapland during Northern Lights season. One of our travelers who went on Fresh Adventures' BC tours says February was perfect for "amazing powder conditions."

• What's special about the scenery on ski tours?

  Each winter destination has its own beautiful landscape. In the Canadian Rockies, you'll see pristine mountain views and frozen lakes around Lake Louise. The Austrian Alps mix dramatic mountain scenery with cozy traditional villages and mountain huts. In eastern Finland, you'll find peaceful snow-covered forests where you might spot the Northern Lights. Our travelers often mention how much they love the mix of groomed slopes and untouched backcountry trails that make each place feel different.

• What kind of places will I stay in on a ski tour?

  You'll usually stay in nice 3-4 star hotels and lodges near the slopes. In Finnish Lapland, you might stay at the Aakenus Hotel in Rovaniemi or even sleep in a glass igloo to watch the Northern Lights. New Zealand's South Island has ski lodges and hostels with useful features like rooms to dry your boots and gear. Many places have hot tubs - our travelers really like the hotels on the British Columbia Ski Tour where they can "soak in hot tubs for optimal relaxation each day."

• How physically demanding are ski tours?

  Skiing and snowboarding take a lot of energy and strength. At Treble Cone in New Zealand, for example, you'll ski full days on a mountain with 700m vertical drops across 550ha. The British Columbia tour visits four big resorts in 11 days - one of our travelers said "you'll be skiing until you can't ski another inch." But tours include rest days, like a free day in Queenstown on the South Island Snow Safari. It's good to get in shape before your trip and know when to take breaks.

• What skill level do I need for a ski tour?

  These tours work for everyone from first-timers to experts. At Bansko resort in Bulgaria, beginners get 6 days of ski lessons or 3 days of snowboard lessons with pro guides. If you're advanced, you can try challenging runs like the steep chutes at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, where 25% of runs are for experts. Our travelers say the "guides went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable regardless of ability level" at places like Treble Cone in New Zealand, which has both beginner areas and tough expert runs.

• What else can I do besides skiing?

  You'll find lots of fun extras on ski tours. In Finnish Lapland, you can watch the Northern Lights, go dog sledding, and sleep in glass igloos. The British Columbia tour takes you to natural hot springs and mountain towns like Nelson, with its 80 restaurants and bars. In New Zealand, you get a free day in Queenstown to try bungee jumping or take a Milford Sound cruise. One of our travelers points out that "while you'll see a lot of snow, you'll also see a great deal of the destination's main attractions."

• What weather should I expect?

  The weather really depends on where you go. Finnish Lapland can get as cold as -22°F (-30°C) with short winter days. New Zealand's Mt Hutt sees everything from sunny spring skiing to deep powder days, getting about 5.5m of snow each year. Our travelers found "perfect powder conditions" in British Columbia's mountains but say to pack for changing weather. Make sure to bring good layers and waterproof gear - some tours like the Bansko Explorer include winter clothing rental.