Sponsored content
Since Interski took its first group of skiers to Courmayeur in 1983, the company has done things a bit differently from most other ski operators. Rather than spread themselves too thinly, the team focussed mainly on one top-notch Alpine destination – Italy’s Aosta Valley.
Over the years they’ve got to know the area back to front, inside out and top to bottom. They’ve built up long-standing relationships with most hotel operators in the region, meaning they now offer some of the most competitive rates in northern Italy.
From day one, Interski has set out to ensure it offers ski holidays with everything covered and all aspects working in harmony. That includes the basics like travel, transfers and accommodation as well as those all-important add-ons such as your meals and lift pass plus easy access to equipment rental and ski school.
It’s established its own dedicated ski school with around 200 English-speaking instructors – the biggest British-run ski school in the Alps. And it has invested in its own ski hire centre in Pila, and even operates its own in-resort ski clothing rental service.
And as well as offering great value ski packages to families, groups and independent travellers, Interski have, over the past 40 years, turned themselves into market leaders in providing school and college ski trips. In that time, they’ve helped many youngsters to take their first tentative turns on the snow, inspiring them to take up a hobby that lasts way beyond their schooldays and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Interski’s exclusive in-resort ski clothing rental service is especially appreciated by budget-challenged parents, providing a high-quality jacket and salopettes for just £50 for the week.
In recent years Interski have expanded their operations into Andorra and Spain, but the company’s dedication to providing quality snowsport packages remains as strong and undiluted as ever. Their hand-picked (and highly visible!), specialist staff have endless enthusiasm and provide in-resort customer service that’s second to none.
Where to Interski
Skiing in Italy with Interski
The original, and still the main focus for Interski, their ski and school holidays are built around the three Aosta Valley resorts of Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila.
Courmayeur is the most internationally renowned of Interski's three Aosta resorts, boasting 100kms of exciting downhill runs, from easy to challenging, across 11 blue, 14 red and four black runs. The largely traffic-free town is a delightful, old traditional Alpine village, with a maze of interesting, narrow cobbled alleys, and plenty of charming shops, cafes and bars.
La Thuile shares a cross-border ski area of 160kms with the French resort of La Rosière. The old village is attractive, and hosts various shops, restaurants and bars run by friendly locals. The ski area has 33 blue, 32 red and 15 black runs, making it popular with all abilities. Snow conditions are generally excellent due to the height of the resort (1,450m), excellent snow-making and mostly north facing slopes.
Historic Pila is located high above the old Roman town of Aosta, and has some of the finest views in the Aosta Valley, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn. It’s home to an exciting mix of tree-lined runs and wide-open bowls, adding up to 5 blue, 21 red and 4 black runs – plus a snow park. The resort is linked by a high speed gondola to Aosta, a busy and vibrant town with historic streets crammed with cafès, bars, restaurants and boutiques.
Skiing in Andorra with Interski
Interski’s two Andorran destinations are Pal Arinsal and Grandvalira, providing a Pyrennean paradise for families and beginners especially.
Pal Arinsal is a 63km ski area (21 blue, 30 red, 25 black), combining the two individual resorts of Pal and Arinsal, both included on the same lift pass, and linked by cable car. Arinsal is more of a bowl, the skiing is superb for all abilities and there are some lovely valley views. Pal has more tree-lined skiing and a greater overall length of piste, with a brilliant mix of gradients, again suitable for all abilities.
Arinsal is a small but lively village with plenty of bars and restaurants. Pal is a small but busy village, with a pretty central square and a great choice of hotels within a short walk of the cable car.
Grandvalira was originally six separate ski resorts - Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo, Encamp - each requiring a different lift pass and only offering a small(ish) area. The six were brought together into one huge ski area in 2010. One lift pass now covers the whole Grandvalira area, but visitors can still choose which of the resorts, or sectors, they would like to stay in. Each offers something different and so visitors can perfectly tailor their holiday to suit their needs. The skiing is endlessly varied with 210km of piste, (42 blue, 30 red, 25 black) with a great mix of tree-lined skiing and open bowls.
Skiing in Spain with Interski
As well as two other Italian resorts – Bardonecchia and Gressoney - school groups can also opt for two resorts in the Spanish Pyrenees:
Cerler is a high altitude, snow-sure resort in the region of Aragon, and ideal for school trips. Whilst the skiing ranges from 1,500m to almost 2,700m, the majority is above 2,000m which ensures good conditions throughout the winter. There’s a great mix of pistes with slopes suitable for all abilities, but Cerler is a gem for beginners and intermediates.
Formigal is one of Spain’s best kept secrets offering an astonishing 176km of piste, making it one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees, with a great mix of runs for all abilities including 36 blue 52 red and 42 black runs. It’s a quiet resort, perfect for school groups.
How to book with Interski
Families, groups and other travellers can check out details of all Interski’s holiday packages here: interskiholidays.co.uk
Schools have their own dedicated Interski website here: interski.co.uk/schools
