Weekend Warriors Rejoice: Trend Reveals 40% Increase in Ski Weekends and Shorter Breaks
Attention all snow lovers! Gear up for an avalanche of fun with the latest ski weekend trends – because if you haven’t given them a whirl yet, it’s high time you did! Breaks from two to six nights are on the rise, with Heidi seeing sales of weekend trips up a whopping 40% this year! They spill the beans on the hottest spots for a snowy rendezvous with your crew.
Apres Ski Party: Mayrhofen, Austria
Mayrhofen, a household name in Austria’s winter wonderlands, welcomes beginners and families but also caters to the daring with the legendary Harakiri slope – Austria’s steepest! This sizable resort opens the doors to the entire Zillertal area and the famed Penken Park. Ready for more? Hit the 3,200m Hintertux glacier. Heidi’s co-founder, Marcus Blunt hints at an unforgettable night scene, “Ski hard, party harder! The nightlife is legendary, with après ski kicking off on the mountain in one of the many huts, sun terraces converting to open-air parties, before spilling out in the town until the early hours”.
Off-Piste Haven: Gressoney, Italy
Discover Gressoney, the hidden jewel in the Monterosa ski area. Ideal for advanced skiers, this tranquil Italian resort offers challenging red runs and boundless off-piste thrills, particularly on the Alagna side. Alexander Blunt, another mastermind behind Heidi, shares, ” “If you’re hunting a giant off-piste paradise, Gressoney is strategically placed in the Monterosa Ski area with quick access to all three valleys (including Champoluc and Alagna).
“Party animals might want to look elsewhere (see above for an idea where!), but off-piste enthusiasts, welcome to paradise!”
Foodie Fiesta: Courmayeur, Italy
Bypass the usual French retreats and jet off to Courmayeur, nestled on Mont Blanc’s Italian side. This gem, a paradise for intermediate and advanced skiers, is your gateway to glorious pistes and pine-fringed open bowls. Snowboarders, you’re in for a treat too! Crave off-piste excitement? Ask the local guides for secret adventures. Don’t miss the jaw-dropping Skyway Monte Bianco cable car ride to 3,466 meters! Marcus Blunt, guarantees an epicurean journey with Italy’s finest cuisine and wine. “Food-loving mates, prepare for culinary nirvana!” he explained, as he tucked into his eighth course (quite common here!).
All-Rounder Alpe d’Huez, France
Alpe d’Huez, a French skiing stronghold, offers a mix of challenging slopes, a top-notch lift system, and the renowned 16 km-long Sarenne – the Alps’ lengthiest black run. Beyond the Sarenne, explore 250km of pistes, high-altitude off-piste trails, and untouched gullies for the for serious free-riders. Alexander adds, “Alpe d’Huez is a riot for a mates’ getaway. Fantastic skiing meets a smorgasbord of about 60 dining spots. And for table-dancing apres ski, Folie Douce is legendary. Once the lifts shut, keep the party going in town. Alpe d’Huez is your ultimate match for any part-foodie, part-party crew.”
Whether you’re a gourmand glider, an off-piste pro, a party piste lover, or fancy a bit of everything, strap on your skis or sling on your board, and let’s hit the slopes!
Notes to Editors
Rachel Follett
rachel@heidi.com
+44 (0) 7813 803 936
www.heidi.com
About Heidi
Heidi was launched in 2018, formally known as Ski Zoom. Founded by the Blunt brothers, Marcus 39 and Alexander, 37, the company was born out of the lack of flexibility in the winter ski market and the desire the duo had to discover new destinations.
**The company has seen exponential growth from year one sales of £500k to year five sales of £24.5m, up 124% on last year, all with Covid sandwiched in between! The founders, who are half Norwegian, admit they were lucky to have snow as part of their DNA growing up in a country where enjoying the terrain of a white winter was part and parcel of everyday life. They then got to appreciate all the summer adventures the mountains offered, prompting their desire to provide package opportunities year-round and change their name from Ski Zoom to Heidi.
The millennials have successfully amalgamated their experience of working in the travel industry, in different guises with a savvy technical prowess to develop a completely new way of searching and booking ski trips, which brings a totally modern and flexible approach to today’s market. Users of Heidi have thousands of options to choose from to find their perfect break, whether they’re a family looking for a budget friendly option for beginners, or a group of friends after a quick, convenient mid-week getaway, close to the slopes, with tons of après ski. Customers can now build their perfect break in minutes and everything is planned and covered by Heidi, which is protected under ATOL. Ski passes and equipment can also be booked online through the business.
-End-