Since her clients typically save such a significant amount of money by staying at two- and three-star hotels throughout the week, there’s often room left in their budgets to splurge a bit. Lindenmeyr encourages them to push their flight back a day, book a five-star hotel in their airport city, and take advantage of pre-flight spa treatments, great dining, and local entertainment. If you’re flying out of Zurich, for example, she recommends staying the night at the 600-year-old Storchen Zurich, which lies along the Limmat River and offers a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Our favorite transfer-night hotels:
Leave your ski equipment at home—with one exception
At European resorts specifically, renting a week’s worth of gear is often cheaper (and easier) than checking your skis and boot bags onto international flights. In Lindenmeyr’s experience, seven-day rentals in Europe average around $230 for skis, boots, and poles. In fact, throughout her 30 years of trip planning throughout Europe, she hasn’t once found it necessary to tell her clients to bring their own gear. Lindenmeyr notes one exception: Ski equipment goes for free if you fly Swiss or United.
Utilize your Epic and Ikon Passes—but only if it makes sense
If you’re a US skier, you’ve probably already heard of the Epic and Ikon Passes—season passes to over 40 ski resorts around the world. Both passes offer seven-day access to several European resorts each season, and the Ikon Pass has even more options across Europe. However, it’s important to note that many Epic and Ikon Pass-friendly resorts are some of the most expensive ski destinations in Europe, which can often offset the savings you gain from using either pass—even when you choose an affordable hotel.
There are, however, a few hotels that are affordable and close to Epic and Ikon Pass resorts, and we rounded up a few below.
