A corporate skiing trip can provide a much needed morale boost and it’s a great way to get the whole team working together. After a long day on the slopes, it’s good fun to all get together and trade stories. Not forgetting the great après ski options to blow off some steam. With these factors in mind, here are our favourite spots for a corporate ski getaway.
Whether you’re looking to impress VIP customers with alpine scenery or treat employees to a spot of team building on the slopes, you’ll want to make sure you pick the right location for your corporate ski holiday. Here’s our pick of the top destinations in Europe to help you do just that.
St Anton – Austria
Whatever the size of your group, you’ll find the perfect meeting space in St Anton. A recent redevelopment scheme saw the addition of the Arlberg-well.com Convention Centre, perched right on the edge of the slopes, at an altitude of 1,300 metres. Its massive Championship Hall can accommodate up to 1,950 people, whilst a further 17 conference rooms cater for smaller groups. The centre is within walking distance of St Anton’s shops and nightlife and, of course, a range of fabulous skiing opportunities sit right on the doorstep.
La Clusaz – France
La Clusaz has long been a favoured weekend ski destination with the French and Swiss, making it a good choice for corporate groups who may be on a tight schedule, but still want to get the most out of the ski terrain. Nestled in the French Alps, La Clusaz is often overlooked by British skiers, but this well-rounded resort, located less than an hour from Geneva Airport, is a great choice for corporate ski holidays. After a day on the slopes you can ski right down to the picturesque alpine village for a taste of the après ski scene, and non-skiers can make use of the free bus service into the village. The nightlife during the week is fairly sedate, but there are plenty of bars and mountain restaurants for your group to come together in the evenings.
Val d’Isère – France
You don’t have to be a group of advanced skiers in order to enjoy a corporate ski holiday in Val d’Isère. The massive Espace Killy ski area is one of the largest in the world and caters for all abilities, with plenty of green and blue runs for the less-experienced group members. Legendary Dick’s Tea Bar is the perfect spot to grab some drinks at the end of the day.
Cortina – Italy
Known as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites,’ this is one of the best destinations if you’re out to impress. Not only is Cortina one of the most fashionable resorts in Italy, but it’s arguably one of the most glamorous resorts in the world. There’s plenty to keep non-skiers happy here, from designer boutiques to stylish wine bars and mountain cafes. Good food is an essential part of any corporate skiing holiday, and Cortina doesn’t disappoint with its selection of excellent restaurants – such as the Michelin-starred Tivoli, a 10 minute drive outside of town. Meanwhile, the igloo bar that often appears outside the Jungfrau Hotel is sure to be a crowd-pleaser when it comes to pre-dinner cocktails.
Chamonix – France
This famous resort is conveniently close to the airport and situated at 1,035m, meaning the slopes stay in near perfect condition throughout the season. The challenging glacier runs are just above Argentière village, Les Grand Montents, and are at their best in early spring. The lower slopes are ideal in winter when heavy snowfall may bar access to higher runs.
Chamonix is home to several highly respected ski schools that teach in French or English, helping beginners to quickly get up to speed. You can also hire a mountain guide, who will take you and your colleagues safely on an off-piste adventure, or to up the higher altitude runs, including the world-famous 20km-long Vallée Blanche.
The centre of the resort is traffic-free, enabling you to wander between après ski options, from the roaring log fire in Vagabar to the bright lights and live jazz of Quartz Bar. Restaurant L’Impossible in south Chamonix is ideal for diverse groups, serving vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options, and its cosy wood interior is a sleek take on an Alpine lodge.
However, you may find you never want to leave the chalet – central, open-plan Chalet Whymper, for example, has spectacular views of Mont Blanc from its sunny balcony. A stay here includes half board catering and after the sun has set, your group can enjoy a congenial apéritif in front of the log fire.
Verbier – Switzerland
This Swiss resort has plenty of varied runs and excellent skiing well into the spring. The highest point is Mont Fort, at 3,330m, where on a good day, you’ll see spectacular views over the Alps, reaching the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
In recent years, Verbier has undergone a transformation, creating more public, open spaces where skiers can get together over a well-earned hot chocolate or glühwein.
Another innovation for the resort is the opulent new W Hotel, with its convenient ski-in ski-out access. Your group can get together over lunch in the two cafés, meet for drinks at one of the two bars or dance the night away at the on-site underground nightclub. There are also two restaurants, of which Arola is a particular highlight, serving beautifully presented Swiss-inspired dishes, like hazelnut gnocchi or perch fried in lemon butter. Skiing isn’t the only activity available either, as guests can enjoy the fitness centre and tranquil pool, or spend a day in the spa, with treatments from black clay masks to sapphire salt scrubs and a cocoa bean body wrap.
Other activities you and your colleagues can try out together regardless of skiing ability include snowshoeing, sledging and paragliding. You can also employ a guide for off-piste skiing, or an introduction to ice climbing, where you’ll use picks to work your way up frozen waterfalls.
