If you’re a complete beginner and have never been on a ski holiday before, you might think there’s a lot to get your head around when it comes to timings. From ‘when do the slopes open?’ to ‘when’s the best time to get lunch?’, we’ve covered all the basics so you‘ll feel like a pro from the moment you first arrive.
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It’s a good idea to plan your day out with the rest of your party before stepping onto the slopes. This is particularly important if you’re all heading off in different directions and can avoid worrying about where to eat and at what time.
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Although specific times may vary slightly from resort to resort, our timings guide will put you on the right track to bossing your holiday itinerary.
We’re all partial to enjoying a good lie-in on holiday, but as they say, the early bird catches the freshly groomed snow and avoids the queues.
Set your alarm to give yourself enough time to have a good breakfast and prepare for the day. Skiing and boarding can take a lot of energy so you need to fuel up properly before you head out to avoid running out of steam early on.
The slopes are open as long as the lifts are running and they generally start at 9am, or sometimes a bit earlier towards the end of the season. However, if you want to enjoy a full day of skiing and boarding (and why wouldn’t you?) it’s best to get out there first thing.
During the busier parts of the season, try to get to the lifts 15 minutes before they open if you want to beat the crowds and enjoy some peace on the morning pistes.
The lifts will generally open from 9am and close by about 4.30pm as the sunlight starts to disappear. Opening hours will vary slightly between resorts and will change slightly throughout the season, so make sure you check the times before you head out and make a note of when the last lift departs; you don’t want to end up stranded on the mountain!
Some lifts may also close for lunch so it’s worth bearing in mind if you plan on heading up the slopes for a midday ski. Top tip: most lifts will have a clock showing first and last lift times.
After an early start and an action-packed morning, you’ll no doubt be ready for something warm and tasty to restock those energy levels. If you’re planning on grabbing a bite from one of the on-mountain restaurants, it will get busy at peak times so midday is probably the best time to aim for. Remember that some restaurants will stop serving lunch after around 2pm, so don’t leave it too late or you may have to settle for a bar of chocolate and a packet of crisps.
Things can get a little pricey on the mountain, so you might prefer to pack your own lunch instead. Sure, it takes a little more preparation in the morning, but you’ll make the time back up when you don’t have to battle the queues for an expensive plate of spaghetti.
It’s totally up to you how long you want to stay out on the slopes for, but there’s no better way to improve than by embracing a full morning and afternoon carving down the mountain.
The slope opening hours are pretty much dictated by the lifts, with most slopes closing shortly after the last lift, so if you’re planning on enjoying a full day on the mountain be sure you know when you’ll need to head down by and give yourself enough time to do so.
If you’re hiring your ski or snowboarding equipment in the resort, aim to get this sorted as soon as possible once you arrive. It can take time to get everyone kitted out, especially when it comes to finding the right size boots.
It might seem like the last thing you want to do after half a day of travelling, but it’s well worth getting out the way if you don’t want to eat into precious piste time.
There are few greater feelings than sitting down for a hearty and well-earned dinner after a day on the slopes (ok, maybe the feeling of taking your boots off, but food is a close second). Most evening meals are included in all Neilson ski hotels and chalets so you can sit back, enjoy a glass of wine and compare stories of who had the most embarrassing fall while dinner is taken care of.
Check with your hotel for specific meal times, but timings are pretty standard here, so around 7.30pm. If you feel like exploring the resort and heading out for dinner, remember to book ahead as it may get busy.
Regardless of whether you perfected your parallel turns or you took a few tumbles, you can rest assured there will be a refreshing drink and some fun Europop waiting for you at one of the many après bars.
For on-mountain action, head to the bar for around 3.30pm so you can enjoy a pint on the piste before heading back down to the village. Some resorts are livelier than others, but most will have a scattering of bars and clubs for late-night revelers.
Some places will stay open until around 3am or even later for those wanting to dance the night away. Just try and catch a few winks before heading back out on the slopes!
