LUXE Serendipity magazine

By Donna Richardson

Stunning panoramas of snow-covered mountains, the adrenalin rush of whooshing down a pristine piste and the allure of a comforting fireside drink or meal in an Alpine chalet – there’s no better way to embrace winter than with a ski trip.

And there’s no better way to get there than via East Midlands Airport, which makes the whole experience as easy as a beginner falling over.

Close to the motorway, a short trip from car park to terminal and an average wait of less than 15 minutes to get through new and improved security procedures will see you enjoying the bars, restaurants and shops ahead of your flight in no time.

Some of the best resorts in the world are within easy reach of the airport, with flights and transfers each generally two hours or under. TUI offer many of the flights from East Midlands to Europe’s finest ski resorts and their ski partner Crystal Ski is currently offering last-minute deals on holidays from East Midlands. Here are some of the connections to the ski slopes from East Midlands Airport:

Salzburg

TUI fly toSalzburg, with flights approximately 2hrs.

Zell am See, just outside Salzburg, is a timeless Austrian village surrounded by mountains, where classical music meets après ski. The village offers lakeside winter views, local schnaps, hearty alpine stews and picture perfect snow cover.

Turin

TUI fly to Turin, with flights just under two hours

Turin is the ideal landing spot for a ski trip with Italian flair, with transfers just over an hour from the Susa Valley. After hitting the slopes, enjoy mountain classics like polenta, cured meats and rich red wines. The area is perfect for beginners and families, with postcard views and relaxed alpine hospitality.

Geneva

Jet2.com fly to Geneva, with flights approximately 1hr 50mins.

Geneva offers an elegant gateway to legendary resorts like Chamonix, Verbier and Morzine. Think glistening alpine peaks, Swiss fondue, lakeside charm and access to some of Europe’s finest slopes, all just a short transfer from your arrival airport.

Chambery

TUI fly to Chambery, with flights just over two hours

Chambery offers connections to some of France’s best ski areas. Imagine snowy mountain villages, cosy cafes serving raclette, fondue and tartiflette and slopes for all skill levels amid world class scenery.

‘Off-piste’ options

There are also some alternative ‘off-piste’ options from East Midlands that avoid the big crowds and higher prices of some of the Alpine resorts. Fly with Ryanair or Jet2 to Malaga for access to Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains, offering 100km of pistes suitable for all abilities and a ski season often through to April. Other options include flying to Salzburg with TUI and transferring to Slovenia’s smaller resorts; flying to Krakow with Ryanair to access Poland’s low-budget resorts; or flying to Prague with Ryanair for the Czech Republic’s Giant Mountains.

Flights can be booked here: https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/flights-and-hotels/book-flights/

Photo: The Austrian Alps are within easy reach of East Midlands Airport via Salzburg. Fly with TUI, whose ski partner Crystal Ski currently has last-minute deals on holidays from East Midlands