Where your hotel sits changes your whole holiday. A few hundred metres can mean the difference between clicking into your skis at the door and carrying them through the village every morning. These are the terms we use, and what they mean when we use them.
Ski-in, ski-out
You leave the hotel on skis and come back on skis. Ideally there’s a ski room with boot warmers next to the slope, so nobody has to walk in ski boots at all. Brilliant for families and anyone who likes the first lift of the day.
Watch out: some places call themselves ski-in, ski-out when you can only ski back in good snow, or need to take a short drag lift to get home.
Slopeside
Right next to the slopes, but you might need to walk a few steps or cross a road to get to them. Almost as convenient, often with better views and a little more peace.
Walk to lifts
Within a short walk of a lift, typically five to ten minutes. A great compromise if you want to be in the village but still keep the morning walk short. Many hotels offer a ski shuttle too.
Village centre
Everything on your doorstep: restaurants, shops, bars and après. Perfect if evenings matter as much as the skiing, or if part of the group doesn’t ski.
How to choose
- Families with small children: ski-in, ski-out. No arguments, no carrying skis and kids.
- Couples and foodies: village centre or walk to lifts. Dinner is just around the corner.
- Strong skiers: slopeside or ski-in, ski-out near the fastest lift up the mountain.
- Mixed groups: village centre with a ski shuttle, so non-skiers have plenty to do.
Lee’s tip Always ask where the ski room is. It tells you more about the hotel’s location than the brochure does.