Hack the ski weekend
There’s something deeply satisfying about a weekend on the slopes – it’s short enough to ski and party hard, but long enough to blow the cobwebs away. Minimise using your annual leave by only taking a Friday off and return to work on Monday morning, the envy of the office.
Author: Gabrielle Le Breton
Bansko, Bulgaria
Bansko is a beacon of affordable skiing in an Alpine world awash with excess. If you’ve never skied before and don’t want to risk blowing an expensive week’s holiday on something you might not love, take Friday off work and give Bansko a whirl.
Make your escape
Catch a Friday morning BA flight from Heathrow to Sofia. Pick up your Avis car (ask for snow tyres) for the 140km run to Bansko (about two hours), rolling into town with time to sort rentals and supper before first lifts on Saturday.
Check-in
You can’t get much closer to the slopes than at the Kempinski Grand Hotel Arena, which delivers luxury a short walk from the gondola. Soak tired legs in the heated outdoor pools overlooking the mountains.
Snow highlights
With mostly blue and red runs, Bansko is a dream for beginners and cruisy intermediates. Once you’ve found your rhythm, ride up below Mt Todorka for sweeping views before dropping all the way down to town on a mountain-to-valley run of up to 16km. The last leg – Ski Road No 1 – is a long-return blue run of about 7km that winds straight into Bansko making it the perfect end-of-day descent. Meanwhile, more confident skiers can ramp things up on the two main black slopes nearby.
Refuel
For the best choice, head back to the Kempinski for sushi or Mediterranean plates. You can also grab a free shuttle into town to visit a mehana, a traditional tavern: think broths, grilled meats and local wines served with Bulgarian warmth.
Homeward bound
Fly back Sunday evening and touch down in good time to prepare for work next day. Note that seasonal routes and exact flight numbers/timings vary by week.
Zell am See, Austria
Zell am See is a real lakeside stunner where one lift pass buys you three ski regions and around 408km of slopes. Two days won’t cover it, but it’ll certainly whet your appetite for more.
Make your escape
Board a Friday morning BA flight to Salzburg from Gatwick or Heathrow and you’ll be on the ground before a noon lunch. Grab your car and point it south for the 75km lakes-and-peaks drive to Zell am See (it takes around 1h15 to 1h30). Settle in and plan your glacier dash.
Check-in
Right on the shores of Lake Zell, Seevilla Freiberg is your base. A cosy bolthole with spa, sauna and sweeping views, it’s just the right balance of Austrian charm and modern comfort.
Snow highlights
The Ski ALPIN CARD covers Schmittenhohe, the snow-sure Kitzsteinhorn Glacier and the mighty Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn. Slick lifts and ski buses make it easy to hop between them, so you can breakfast by the lake and lunch on a glacier. Beginners and little ones get gentle slopes and friendly ski schools; intermediates lap the reds and pros can rack up mileage in the Skicircus. Families love the wide pistes and pit stops for hot chocolate, and adults will love the apres that kicks off as soon as the lifts stop.
Refuel
Mountain huts dish up goulash, schnitzel and ski helmet-sized strudels, which are said to be best eaten on terraces overlooking lake or glacier. Back in town, cosy stubes clink with steins and sizzling alpine fare, while sleek bars pour Austrian wines and cocktails for a lively apres crowd.
Homeward bound
Return on the evening flight on Sunday and you’ll still arrive in Gatwick at a reasonable time, helping to keep you fresh and ready for a Monday. Note - seasonal routes and exact flight numbers/timings vary by week.
Chamonix, France
Sitting in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is widely recognised as the Alpine capital of adventurous skiing. Off slope, the bustling town caters to every need, brimming with shops, bars, restaurants and apres energy.
Make your escape
Zip out on a Friday morning from Heathrow and arrive in Geneva 1 hour 40 mins later. Pick up your car and drive around 100km (about 1h15 to 1h30) to Chamonix. Check in, clink a quick vino and rest those legs for a full weekend assault.
Check-in
La Folie Douce Hotel flips the script on mountain lodging; part boutique stay, part apres-ski party. Stylish rooms for couples and groups, ski-in, ski-out access, an outdoor heated pool and a spa to soothe ski legs. By night, expect DJs, shows and cocktails, making it a stay that’s as social as it is scenic.
Snow highlights
Chamonix isn’t one resort; it’s six ski areas rolled into one playground. Le Tour keeps intermediates cruising, Brevent–Flegere serves up reds with Mont Blanc views and a thigh-burner of a home run, while Les Houches offers tree-lined cruising. Powder lovers can make a beeline for Grands Montets, renowned for steep, north-facing slopes. And for the ultimate brag, ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car to tackle the legendary 22km Vallee Blanche – one of the world’s most iconic off-piste descents.
Refuel
Chamonix does indulgence the Alpine way: gooey fondues, sizzling raclettes and tartiflettes that could fuel an army of lift attendants. The town mixes rustic chalets with lively brasseries and quirky cafes – if you imagine craft beer brewed at altitude or pastries named after climbing routes, you’ll be there. Add an incredible backdrop, decent wine and excellent food, and you’re there.
Homeward bound
Fly back Sunday evening and be home in time to lay out your work togs for Monday. Note - seasonal routes and exact flight numbers/timings vary by week.
Cheesey does it
The word raclette comes from the French verb racler, which means ‘to scrape’. The nutty cheese is heated until the top layer melts, and then is scraped onto a plate of baby potatoes, sliced meat and gherkins. Nowadays, it’s a staple at many European ski resorts.
Make a run for it
Chamonix’s La Vallée Blanche is an unmarked, unmaintained and unpatrolled off-piste route that is ideal for experienced skiers and boarders. The 22km-long run offers some of Mont Blanc’s spectacular scenery. Book flights from London to Geneva, plus rent a car for three days to Chamonix from:
A taste of Savoie
Discover the local cuisine at the hotel’s La Cordée restaurant, where hearty dishes such as fondue, raclette and pela – a tartiflette-style dish made from onion, potatoes and Reblochon cheese – are on the menu.
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