Group ski holiday, friends skiing

Planning a Group Ski Trip? Here’s How to Get It Right

November 17th, 2025 News

When it comes to planning a group holiday, someone has to take the reins — and if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve either bravely volunteered or been lovingly nominated as group leader. Either way, well done! You’ve just taken the first step toward an unforgettable adventure with your favourite people. So let’s get started. With years of experience under our belt, we’ve distilled the process into seven straightforward steps to make planning a breeze.

1) Start early

It can take a while to get a big group organised, so start as early as you can. This will give you access to the best rates and range of accommodation for your chosen resort and dates. For birthday ski trips and special occasions, you’ll want to get the holiday in everyone’s diary as soon as possible.

2) Get an idea of budget

Ski holidays can vary a lot in cost, and so can everyone’s budget. Before you dive into planning, it’s a good idea to get a sense of what each person is comfortable spending. While it’s hard to know exact costs before doing the research, a quick poll can help: is your group looking for cheap and cheerful, mid-range luxury, or sky’s the limit?

Knowing this upfront makes the next planning phases much easier – and helps avoid any awkward surprises later.

Chez Babeth , Chatel

3) Decide on Dates

When you go skiing makes a big difference. If your group has flexibility – and there are no school holidays to consider – travelling outside peak weeks means better prices, quieter resorts, and calmer pistes.

For the most reliable snow and perfectly groomed pistes, January through March is usually the sweet spot. January brings the best snowfall, fresh powder and peaceful slopes; February offers excellent conditions and a lively resort buzz; while March combines great skiing with longer, sunnier days for a more relaxed vibe.

By late March and into April, you can expect a laid-back, end-of-season atmosphere – ideal for groups who want to cruise around, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy those long terrace lunches.

December has a magical, festive feel, but you’ll want to be sure of good snow cover so higher resorts are a good bet. Morzine with its easy connections to Avoriaz, means access to high, snowsure slopes for the entire season.

4) Find Out Ski Levels

Before choosing a resort, it’s worth finding out what level of skier each person in your group is. If you’ve got a few beginners, look for a resort with a good learner area and plenty of gentle slopes to build confidence on.

For mixed-ability groups, a larger ski area with a variety of terrain is ideal. Resorts like the Portes du Soleil, La Plagne and Les Trois Vallées offer something for everyone, from cruisy blues to challenging off-piste runs.

If a huge resort feels a bit overwhelming, Morzine is a brilliant option. It’s a charming, compact village with access to multiple ski areas in the Portes du Soleil with slopes to suit every level — so everyone in your group can ski at their own pace and still meet up easily for lunch or après-ski.

5) Where to Go

Every ski resort has its own personality, so think about what kind of experience your group wants. Are you after foot-stomping après-ski, eclectic food options, or a laid-back, family-friendly feel? Getting this clear from the start will help you narrow down the perfect destination.

Travel time is also a big factor. Are you happy with a long transfer, or would you rather get to the slopes as quickly as possible? If it’s the latter, resorts within easy reach of Geneva Airport — like Morzine — are a brilliant choice. You can be in resort in around 1.5 hours, meaning more time skiing or relaxing and less time travelling.

Morzine also ticks a lot of boxes for groups: it’s lively but never overwhelming, and it has that rare mix of warmth, charm and authenticity that makes everyone feel at home. The resort has a friendly, down-to-earth vibe that welcomes all ages. You’ll find sophisticated wine bars and trendy eateries alongside laid-back pubs, cosy cafés and some great late-night spots for those who still have energy to burn. Whether your group wants relaxed evenings by the fire, great food and wine, or a night out dancing, Morzine’s got the perfect balance.

6) Accommodation and Catering Options

Finding the right accommodation for your ski group is about more than just bagging the best views. Think about sleeping arrangements, catering preferences, how you’ll get to the ski lifts, and how close you’d like to be to bars, restaurants and other resort facilities.

If you want everything taken care of for an effortless holiday, a catered ski chalet is hard to beat. You’ll enjoy half-board dining (breakfast, afternoon tea, and a delicious dinner with wine), daily transport to and from the slopes, and a hosted chalet where beds are made and everything’s kept spotless.

If your group prefers a little more independence, a self-catered chalet gives you the freedom to set your own pace — ideal if you fancy exploring Morzine’s restaurants or sharing cooking duties with friends.

With AliKats, you can tailor things to suit your group perfectly. Our extra services include meal deliveries, private chef experiences, airport transfers, lift pass organisation, and drop-offs at the slopes – so you can choose the level of convenience that works for you.

7) Simplify money management

Ah, it’s that tricky part, the money bit. Very few of us actually enjoy being the group accountant, so pick a company that offers some support and flexibility for groups. At AliKats we have a simple booking system, where each guest pays separately – this means you don’t need to chase your friends for payments. We also offer free name changes right up until arrival – so if someone pulls out you can find a replacement.

More Essential Tips

  • Look out for special deals for groups. AliKats offers group leaders a free lift pass when booking for 15 or more guests – a little thank-you for taking the lead.
  • Start small when planning. Share holiday options with just a few core members of the group first. Pitching ideas to everyone at once can invite too many opinions and slow down decision-making.
  • Set clear deadlines. Give your friends a time limit to confirm their spot, and don’t be afraid to send a couple of polite nudges — it’s the only way to get things booked.
  • Make the most of planning apps. Splitwise is brilliant for managing shared costs, while WhatsApp keeps communication simple for quick updates and daily plans. For full trip planning, apps like Let’s Jetty make it easy to send invitations, survey your group on budget and vibe preferences, and build itineraries everyone can access.

The Bottom Line

Organising a group ski holiday can feel daunting at first, but with a few simple steps, it can actually be an enjoyable process — and before you know it, you’ll be on the slopes, laughing and skiing with your favourite people.

If you need a hand, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect option for your group. Browse our beautiful collection of Morzine chalets, or for larger parties, check out our chalets for big groups.

 

Image credit: main photo by Laura Corredor on Unsplash

 

Kat - Co-Founder
About the author: Kat - Co-Founder
Following an unfulfilling career in media sales in London, I was looking for a new challenge when I met Al and I already had one eye on the mountains. Since 2010, we have been living here in Morzine and I now have a life creating interesting menus, recruiting and managing our wonderful team looking after our 3 gorgeous children. Al and I are also on the board of trustees for local environmental charity Montagne Verte

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