What you need to know if you’re planning a ski trip from Manchester Airport – and the last-minute deals still on offer
The winter ski season is in full swing and for winter sports enthusiasts travelling from Manchester, January is one of the most popular months to hit the slopes.
Resorts are a little quieter than during the Christmas peak, but conditions for skiing are still excellent, with plenty of snow on the ground and lower temperatures stopping it from becoming slushy. These factors in combination mean it’s a great time of year for beginners who benefit from more space and less pressure on the slopes, as well as serious skiers who can rely on good snow quality.
For skiers travelling from Manchester Airport this season, there’s more choice than ever before. The airport has the widest route network of any UK airport outside London and this includes direct flights to ski hotspots including well-established favourites like the Alps and the Pyrenees, along with emerging destinations from the Dolomites to the Carpathians, and even far-flung destinations like Ontario in Canada.
If you’re going skiing or snowboarding in the coming weeks, here are some things you can do before you set off to get the most out of your trip – and if you’re not set on where to go yet, we round up some fantastic last minute flight deals, too.
Flights and Resorts
When you’re booking a flight, consider onward travel at your destination – particularly if you’ll be relying on public transport to get you to your resort, which may not be running around the clock. Getting an early flight to an Alpine resort will mean you arrive by mid-morning and can even get some ski time in on the day you arrive.
Some airlines offer packages tailored to winter sports travellers – Swiss, for example, offer one free ski/snowboard bag in addition to your regular checked bag when travelling on their Manchester – Zurich service (except for Economy Light bookings). Factor this in when choosing which airline to book with as it could save you money and remove some of the hassle of travelling with bulky equipment.
When picking a resort, it’s crucial to find something that matches to your group’s skill level – if there are skiers of mixed abilities, the larger resorts will offer a variety of pistes with something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re all experienced skiers you might be a bit more adventurous with your choice of resort. Also consider the type of environment you’re looking for – is it family fun, après-ski, or chocolate box village?
Packing for a ski trip
Your packing list for a ski trip will look a little different to any other type of holiday and will probably involve leaving space in your bag to pack a lot more layers – thermal base layers, waterproofs, ski socks and gloves, and neckwarmers will all be necessary, but you’ll also need to bring sunglasses and sun cream for any exposed skin, offering protection from the sun’s UV rays which are stronger at altitude.
Although you’ll need to save space for these items, don’t forget to pack essentials like chargers, adapters and travel documents.
Before you travel
Book your parking in advance to get the best deal – if you’re planning to be dropped off, consider using the free drop-off area in the airport’s JetParks 1 car park, with a quick and convenient shuttle bus connection to the terminals. If you want to be dropped on our forecourts you can pay £5 for five minutes, which is more than enough for most passengers thanks to our barrierless exits – just remember to pay online or by phone by midnight the following day.
Book lessons and equipment rentals before you travel – and get yourself in shape in the weeks leading up to your trip, too, so you can get the most enjoyment out of it. Travel insurance is also crucial for any winter sports trip – make sure you’re covered for any activities you’re taking part in.
At the airport
Use the oversized baggage lane to drop off your skis or boards when you’ve checked in. To save room in your bag, you might have decided to wear some thermal layers to the airport – but security scanners require you to remove outer layers of clothing, so take off outer layers like coats and jackets before you get to the trays to save time and keep queues moving.
Manchester Airport offers a range of services you can book to make your trip easier including Security FastTrack, which lets you use a dedicated lane, TimeSlot, which lets you book a specific time to pass through security, and Passport Control FastTrack for when you return to the airport – find out more here
You can even book personalised assistance to guide you through your whole airport trip with luxurious Meet & Assist services - find out more here
DEALS
Barcelona
Fly with Ryanair on 9 Feb and return 15 Feb for only £29pp*
It might not be the obvious starting point for a winter sports trip, but Barcelona is only a couple of hours’ drive away from the eastern Pyrenees, the mountain range separating Spain and France – and home to some of Europe’s best beginner slopes.
Grenoble
Fly with Ryanair on 30 Jan and return 6 Feb for only £32pp*
Some of the best French and Swiss ski resorts are within easy reach from Grenoble, including Alpe d'Huez and Chamonix.
Turin
Fly with Ryanair on 7 Feb and return 14 Feb for only £34pp*.
The host city for the 2006 Winter Olympics, Turin is the gateway to the Italian Alps. The nearby Vialattea (‘Milky Way’) is a cluster of top-quality ski resorts with options from beginner to expert.
Scandinavian Mountains Airport
Fly with easyJet on 7 Feb and return 14 Feb for only £36pp*
A new addition to Manchester Airport’s route network this winter, the Scandinavian Mountains Airport in northern Sweden is close to Sälen and Trysil, two of the region’s best resorts.
Plovdiv
Fly with Ryanair on 2 Feb and return 7 Feb for only £42pp*
Another great option for beginners – or just for skiers who want to try somewhere different – the Rhodope Mountains near the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv are home to several resorts including Pamporovo and Chepelare.
*Price available from the named airline when booked directly through their website and accurate at the time of publication. May not include baggage or other optional extras.