Ski Itineraries is the ultimate, affordable white glove skiing experience. It’s an effortless option that takes care of the how and where to ski in for all levels, so that you could experience the best skiing in the Alps from Italy, France to Switzerland over the course of 3 days.
We’ve all dreamed about it, whether you’re an avid skier or have never set foot on skis: those majestic, snow capped peaks in the Italian, French, and Swiss Alps. But the question of how and where to ski in the Alps, where to stay, how to get around and navigate the trails, what trails are best, and who to turn to when you need a ski lesson are not easy to decipher. A lot of planning is involved and let’s face it, a quick google search shows that it isn’t quite clear where to begin. But what if I told you, you could have everything taken care for you AND on top of that embark on a discovery of the best skiing in the Alps that takes you from Italy to France and Switzerland? Say hello to my new best friend, Ski Itineraries.
Last March, when Pat and I were looking for the best skiing in the Alps, we had no idea where to go and how to navigate the area. Nothing was clearly marked online. After hours of research, I came across Ski Itineraries. Ski Itineraries is run by local based Italian, Gianluca. Gianluca lived abroad for a good part of his life in Asia and speaks fluent French, English, and Italian. He’s even begun to pick up Mandarin! He’s been a ski instructor in this region since he was just a teenager and knows all the ins-and-outs of the area, the best places to eat, the best trails to take, and the most jaw-dropping sights to see. So what are the benefits of skiing with Ski Itineraries you may ask? You don’t have to do a single thing, Ski Itineraries takes care of everything for you from start to finish. Consider it a white glove skiing experience, but that’s worth the price. In fact, it’s more affordable than skiing in America. See my cost analysis if you don’t believe me!
1. Customized Itinerary
What Ski Itineraries aims to do is create a customized itinerary suited to your needs. Are you interested in exploring food, shopping, or relaxation? Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced skier? Do you want to explore 3 different countries, do you want to focus on one area, or ski in the summer (yes you can do that!)? The better you let Ski Itineraries get to know you, the better they will be able to customize your trip to your tastes. If you like sweets, being in a cosmopolitan town, staying in a spa, or whatever you request may be, they’ll make sure to cater to it and provide you with small surprise and delight moments along the way. No one trip is the same, every person will have their own unique European Alpine experience.
Pat and I are huge foodies and wanted to make sure we were enjoying the best regional dishes Valle D’Aosta had to offer. Ski Itineraries made sure of that. Our hotel included half room and board. The hotel had a partnership with the restaurant below us which had some of the most amazing food we have ever had in that region. The price was super affordable, the fresh take on regional dishes and the culinary pairings were super unique, and we were never disappointed. If it weren’t for it’s remote and lesser-known location in a small village in Italy in the middle of the Alps, I’m sure this restaurant would have a Michelin-star. I have no doubt in my mind. Someone go give this place a well-deserved Michelin-star!
2. They Take Care of Everything
Once you book your flights, leave the rest to Ski Itineraries. Pat and I chose the 3-day Discovery Package. This package that takes you down a new, iconic peak each day with captivating landscapes across Italy, Switzerland, and France, all the while experiencing the local culture and incredible regional cuisine. Given the package we chose and the resorts we were going to be visiting, Ski Itineraries chose the best village in the area that would be our home base for the next 3 days, booked our hotel based on our interests (food), and even scheduled our ski rental pick-up day of arrival. We did not have to lift one finger the whole time, we left it up to the experts at Ski Itineraries. It was also kind of nice having someone else make all the decisions for us and we were NEVER disappointed.
Skiing from Italy to Switzerland Skiing in Italy Skiing from Italy to France
3. Private Transportation
You have the option to drive your own private car or be chauffeured around by Ski Itineraries. We chose the latter and we recommend you do as well. After getting off a 7-hour flight we were picked up and driven to our small hotel in an Italian village close to the Alps. We were so tired in the morning and exhausted after skiing, that having Ski Itineraries drive us was the best decision we’ve ever made. I don’t think either of us had the energy to drive pre- and post-skiing!
4. You’ll Never Do the Same Trail Twice
If you book with Ski Itineraries, you’ll get more out of the Alps. Even if you’re a beginner, that doesn’t mean the bunny trails are all you can do. Ski Itineraries will take you cross-country skiing or down beginner trails throughout each resort, and you won’t find yourself on the same trail more than twice at any point in time. They know their way around the mountains and don’t want to bore you. They want you to EXPLORE the land, but on skis. If you’re an intermediate skier, you can basically take on every trail in the Alps. This means Ski Itineraries can take you down a different slope every single day with a new and jaw-dropping views every time. The nice part is that the best skiing in the Alps is available to all, whether you’re a beginning or advanced skier.
5. Never Waste Time or Get Lost
But even if you’re a good skier, that doesn’t mean the Alps are easy to navigate. A huge problem in Europe is that the trails are never clearly labeled and certain lifts close at specific times. You have no idea where you are at any point in time. If you find yourself on one side of the mountain, you might not be able to make it back to the other if you don’t know the time schedules! Thank god for Ski Itineraries, their internal compass never took us down the same slope more than twice, and we didn’t have to waste any time getting lost. After spending 3 days skiing with Ski Itineraries, I realized that if I had chosen to do this alone I would have never been able to make my way from Italy to Switzerland and Italy to France. And I mean, ever. This is coming from someone who has a very good sense of direction.
6. Skiing is Not Just A Sport, It’s A Means Of Exploration
If you’re a good or expert skier, even better. Ski Itineraries can take you everywhere faster and take you on more challenging slopes. But the goal of Ski Itineraries is not just to show you the best skiing in the Alps, it’s to give you a lay of the land, discover the beauty of the Alps, stop by local chalets for lunch, and speak with the locals. It’s not just about skiing. This is why this package is perfect for beginners as well. Ski Itineraries’ ski tour guides are also instructors who can take you on an exploration of the land. It’s a mix of cross country skiing, easy slopes, intermediate slopes, and challenging slopes. There is something for everyone. If you want to turn it into a sport, Ski Itineraries can, but there main objective is to give you an appreciation of the Alps way of life.
Cross country skiing around the Matterhorn
7. Authentic, Local Experiences
The journey of exploration doesn’t end on the slopes, it extends beyond. Whether it’s food, cities, or relaxation, Ski Itineraries will take you to places no one has Instagrammed before. They’ll take you were no tourist has ever been, just the locals, and they’ll be your interpreter and story teller along the way. A few of the spots Ski Itineraries brought us to post-skiing during our 3-day Discovery Package included a small tavern where a local cheese maker made the best Fontina cheese in the region, the city of Aosta—where we got a local tour of the underrated lesser known Italian Alpine city, tastings of the regional and local herbal liqueur Génépy, and relaxing thermal baths and spa treatments overlooking the Alps.
So stop dreaming of skiing in the Alps, whether you’ve skied before or not, and make it a reality this winter. After all, some consider the Alps to be the eighth wonder of the world (and after this experience, I agree). If price is a concern, let me tell you this—skiing in the U.S. is more expensive than skiing in Europe (flights included!). Don’t believe me? See here for my cost comparison of skiing in Colorado vs. skiing in Europe. Make the trip easier on yourself and make this storybook experience a reality. Book with Ski Itineraries and you won’t have to worry about a thing. In fact, the experience will live up to your expectations and more.
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