Ski Holidays From Exeter – Where to Go this Winter

If you’re planning a ski holiday from the west country, you might think you need to trek all the way to Bristol or London to get your flights to the mountains. But… Actually, flights to winter sports destinations are closer than you might think.

Exeter airport actually offers a few options for ski holidays.

Lets find out where you can ski this winter by flying from Exeter airport.

The Alps

Flights from Exeter to Chambery are available in the winter, but you do need to book through Crystal Ski or Inghams.

This gives you access to some of the best ski resorts in the Alps, including:

• Val Thorens
• Alpe d’Huez
• Les Deux Alpes
• Courchevel
• Meribel
• Val d’Isere

And many more in the area of the Central French Alps, and the Isere department.

While you don’t need to book an actual ski holiday with Crystal Ski or Inghams, it does offer accommodation and transfers plus lift passes if you do.

However, if you do simply want to fly to Chambery from Exeter, you can book through TUI. Flights are every Saturday from December until March 22nd 2024.

Spain

Flights to Malaga put the fabulous Sierra Nevads ski resort in reach for us westcountry ski nuts. Sierra Nevada is the most southerly ski resort in Europe, and is also very snow sure, despite it’s proximity to the Costas.

If you’ve not skied or snowboarded in Sierra Nevada, you might find it a thrilling change from the usual Alpine options. For starters, you get to enjoy the excellent Spanish cuisine and apres ski, as well as snow sure mountains and incredible views.

Sierra Nevada is a 2 hour drive from Malaga airport. But if you stay in Granada, you can enjoy a city break in one of Spain’s most cultural cities, with an amazing ski trip from Exeter…

What could be better?

Book your stay in Sierra Nevada with Estiber, who offer lift passes with all their Sierra Nevada stays.

Scotland

You can also fly from Exeter Airport to Edinburgh or Glasgow throughout the winter months. The ski resorts of Glenshee and Cairngorms are two of the best ski areas in Scotland, which can be reached from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. Public transport is a little patchy though, so your best bet is car hire.

It takes around 2 and a half hours driving to get from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Cairngorm, and 1 and a half hours to Glenshee.

Glenshee is the biggest ski area in Scotland, which might be the decider for you.

New England

OK, while there are no direct flights to the USA from Exeter, you can connect to popular North American cities through Dublin. The main gateways are New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS) both of which offer access to the East Coast ski areas across Massachusetts in Vermont, New York state, Maine and New Jersey.

While North American ski resorts do tend to be more expensive for lift tickets and accommodation, they make a great change from the European ski experience.

And with connections from the west country, this could be a fun experience for you and family or friends this winter.

In Summary

If you’re looking to escape to the mountains for a ski holiday this winter, Exeter airport makes a great option for those of us based in the west country.

From the Alps or Spain, to the Scottish Highlands or even New England in the good ol’ USA, the mountains are closer than you think!