February Ski Holidays
As ski fanatics, we’re convinced that every single month in the ski season offers the ultimate winter playground (okay, we might be a little biased!). But if you’re looking for peak snow conditions, longer days (which also means more mountain sun) and a brilliant variety of epic terrain to explore, a February ski holiday is where it’s at. Whether you’re an experienced freerider going beyond the groomed pistes in search of deep powder, a family enjoying a half-term ski break or a large group of mates on their yearly get-together, February offers just about everything you could wish for from a ski holiday you’ll relive long after you’ve re-waxed and packed your skis back away.
With 1000s of tailor-made holiday packages available and good old-fashioned customer service at our core, we’re here to make ski holidays simple. We offer you a one-stop-shop for everything you could possibly need for a February ski holiday, including accommodation, equipment hire, flights, transfers, lessons, food and so much more. The trust and knowledge that comes with our 90+ years of snow experience means we’ll take the stress out of planning, leaving you with more time to concentrate on making unforgettable memories on the hill.
February Ski Holiday Deals
Why February is the perfect month for skiing
- Reliable ski conditions throughout the ski season
February is one of the best times to visit the Alps if you’re looking for those ‘just-right’ conditions. The ski season is already well underway and thanks to the epic snow dumps in December and January, you’re pretty much guaranteed snow surety. Add February’s typically impressive snowfall record to the mix and you’re likely to experience some of the highest snowfall days of the season. - Longer days mean more runs
After the shorter days and typically sub-zero temperatures that December and January bring, the days start to get visibly longer by the time February rolls around, meaning more mountain sun and slightly warmer temperatures. This brings a double advantage because you not only get more daylight on the slopes, but you won’t need as many layers – and even better, those sun terraces start to look a lot more tempting! - A lively resort centre
February comes right in the middle of the ski season, so you can always expect a high-energy atmosphere throughout the resort... great news if you’re looking to embrace both snow and party season! Even the more laidback family-friendly resorts like Les Gets and La Plagne feel a bit livelier in February, making it a great time to visit if you’re searching for a fun-filled family adventure. - Loads of activities on and off the slopes
If you’re looking for exciting things to do off the hill, most resorts in France offer slightly more ‘niche’ activities to explore like snowshoeing, sledging, aqua centres, ice skating... the list goes on! Plus, February is known for hosting fun events like ski races, torchlit descents and even live concerts. In short, you’ll be spoilt for choice with fun things to cram in to 7 days!
Best resorts for a February ski holiday
- Val d’Isère, France
If you’re after jaw-dropping slopes, incredible high-altitude skiing and “table-stomping” après-ski, not many resorts come even remotely close to Val d’Isère. Part of the interconnected Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area that offers easy access to over 300 km of pistes, 90 ski lifts, two terrain parks and two glaciers, Val d’Isère is a top-tier choice for skiers of all ages and group sizes. There’s a decent selection of beginner-friendly runs, and the black slopes and off-piste terrain are pretty much unbeatable. - St. Anton, Austria
St. Anton offers the perfect blend of epic skiing, incredible “these-can’t-be-real” views and a buzzing après-ski scene that is what can only be described as legendary. When you’ve had your fill of snow-time for the day, there’s a host of activities to experience, including snowshoeing and even a 4 km natural toboggan run that offers a speedy 15-minute descent from top to bottom. And be sure to stop for a few cheeky après beers at MooserWirt – it’s one of the most notorious on-mountain party venues in the Alps. - Zermatt, Switzerland
With its stunning views of the Matterhorn and charming resort village, the scenic resort of Zermatt looks like it comes straight out of a picture postcard of the Alps. The well-connected slopes are impressive, with high-altitude runs and varied terrain beyond the groomed pistes providing a fun-filled winter playground for skiers of all levels and abilities. - Les Deux Alpes, France
Known for its spacious runs and excellent snow conditions throughout the entire ski season, Les Deux Alpes ranks amongst the most ideal resorts for a February ski retreat. First-timers will love practising on the large range of beginner-friendly slopes, while more experienced skiers will be more than happy pitting their wits and skills against the area’s legendary off-piste descents and infamous vertical drops. Plus, as home to the largest skiable glacier in Europe, you’re guaranteed some of the best snow in the Alps. - Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Blending glamour and incredible scenery, Cortina is the place to be if both of those things are at the top of your dream ski holiday wish list. You’ll find an epic selection of pistes, a more low-key atmosphere and some of the best Italian food you’ll find in the mountains. (We’re really not exaggerating about that.) Looking for things to do off the hill? Explore the chic resort boutiques or take in the Dolomites on a winter hike.
How to make the most of half-term skiing in February
Half-term skiing is arguably one of the most sought-after holiday escapes of the calendar year. It's also (understandably) one of the Alps’ busiest periods. With the slopes a bit more crowded than the quieter months of January and early March, a bit of pre-planning goes a long way in ensuring your half-term holiday starts off on the right foot.
- Choose your resort wisely
Not all ski resorts handle half-term crowds the same. Family-friendly spots like La Plagne and Les Gets are experts at managing busy periods, offering a well-connected lift network and spacious pistes that mean everyone is well spread out. They’ve also got loads of exciting “kids will love this” activities to enjoy after a busy day on the hill. - Book everything in advance
Half-term is the peak time for ski holidays in the Alps. Many European schools have their half-term breaks at the same time, making February particularly popular with families. This means essentials like ski passes, equipment hire and lessons get snapped up quickly and often sell out. Instead, beat the mad rush by booking these extras with us well before you travel. It’s a no-brainer if you want to feel fully prepared! - Plan around peak times
The lifts tend to be busiest mid-morning, so set an early alarm, brew yourself a double espresso and get ahead of the crowd by aiming for first lifts. Get on the slopes before anyone else to make the most of those quiet, freshly groomed runs, then take a mid-morning hot chocolate break when the queues start to build. It’s all about working smarter, not harder! - Be prepared for everything!
While February typically comes with some of the most snow-sure conditions of the entire ski season, the weather in the Alps can still be a bit unpredictable. That’s why we recommend packing for all conditions (basically layers, as always, are your best friend!). Also, put plenty of snacks and energy bars in your pockets – especially if you’re planning an all-dayer with few pit-stops.
Family-friendly skiing in February: Resorts everyone will love
February is a brilliant time for families to head to the Alps in search of an adventure-filled winter getaway. France in particular is the ultimate playground for families looking for snow-sure slopes, holiday-making accommodation options and fun activities to keep everyone – even gran and grandpa – entertained on and off the hill.
- La Plagne
Renowned for being one of the best and most accessible family-friendly resorts in the Alps, La Plagne offers a range of facilities designed for children of all ages. The majority of villages in La Plagne are ski-in ski-out, making the logistics of travelling around with children much easier! There’s an incredible 425km of pistes on offer within the legendary interconnected Paradiski ski area that provides easy access to snow-sure slopes and a state-of-the-art lift network linking La Plagne to its world-class neighbour, Les Arcs! Exciting activities off the hill within the Mile8 activity centre include snow tubing, sledging and also a heated swimming pool. There’s an Olympic Bobsleigh to try if you’re feeling brave enough, and La Plagne also has an excellent variety of reputable childcare options and crèche services. - Les Gets
Designed with families in mind, Les Gets is a charming resort that blends traditional alpine charm with a buzzing resort centre! It’s part of the extensive Portes du Soleil ski area, giving you plenty of pistes to explore, but the local slopes within the Les Gets ski area are perfect for beginners and first-timers looking to build confidence and learn the proverbial ropes. Groms will love the ice rink, the magical chocolate-inspired “Milka Purple Slope” (which comes complete with adorable cow mascots) and the ski schools that make learning the basics fun and easy. Even better, everything within Les Gets is within walking distance, so you won’t have to walk for miles in your heavy ski boots! - Flaine
Flaine likes to keep things simple, which – let’s face it – is what every parent needs on their annual ski holiday! Along with a range of impressive holiday-making activities such as ice skating, swimming, bowling, ice quad biking, climbing, snowshoeing and sledging, it has a purpose-built resort centre, convenient ski-in, ski-out accommodation options and beginner-friendly nursery areas. Flaine is also close to Geneva Airport, so transfers are quick and easy – an absolute win for any stress-free family trip!
Ski areas offering great conditions in February
Val d'Isère and Tignes rank amongst the most ideal resorts to visit for an early season ski retreat. Both resorts combine to make up the famous Tignes-Val d’Isere ski area, well renowned for its excellent snow conditions and snowsure pistes. It has some of the most sought after pistes in France and across Europe by some of the most ardent skiers and snow lovers. This is a great ski area for all travelling types and most especially in the peak season month of February. It does get crowded in February due to half term in both France and the UK however, conditions permitting, the resorts ensure that as much ski terrain as possible is open to ensure that the large influx of skiers is well catered to. If skiing is your number one priority when visiting the Alps, you will not be disappointed in either of the resorts at L'Espace Killy. It is one of the top destinations for high altitude skiing in France and is blessed with two (yes, two!) glaciers which sees the skiing season open much earlier and last longer than a lot of other resorts in France and other parts of Europe with the Grande Motte in Tignes, for example, offering skiing nearly all year round. Val d’Isere is one of the UK’s top winter destinations and there are some opinions which advice avoiding Tignes and Val d’Isere during the month of February due to the large crowds, however, with more than 300 kilometres of snow sure pistes spread across 150 slopes and serviced by a modern network of up to 78 lifts, there is a lot of ski terrain to cover and enough pistes to cater to a large influx of visitors. Both resorts in L’Espace Killy are very well equipped with capable snow-making facilities to supplement the pistes when required. Off the slopes, there are several chalets, 5-star apartments and modern hotel accommodation options to suit all travelling group profiles. Families with young children can find a lot of off-piste activities to get into with the kids as well as kids clubs and several English speaking ski instructors. Groups of friends on a ski holiday will be pleased to find a vibrant apres-ski scene in full swing in February and with the nights become shorter as the month progresses, there will be more time in the sun on the balconies.
Book your February ski holiday with Erna Low
Seeing as it’s peak season, it’s no surprise that ski holidays in February don’t hang around for long – especially if you’re booking in half-term when the kids are off school. With fantastic snow conditions, warmer temperatures and a vibrant atmosphere that’s quite frankly contagious, February is undoubtedly one of the best times of the year for an unforgettable winter experience. If you’re ready to plan and book your February ski holiday, give us a call. After all, we’ve been sending ski fanatics like you to the Alps since 1932. That’s almost a century of snow experience – plus all the trust and knowledge that comes with it! But don’t just take our word for it – 9 out of 10 of our clients would recommend us. Need more convincing? You can also check out our glowing reviews on Trustpilot!
Our friendly, knowledgeable team is here to guide you through the 1000s of options that are available to book, so get in touch with us today to build your perfect package.