5 Ski Trends for 2025/26

It’s the end of the summer holidays and I'm beginning to see riding demand for ski holidays. So what’s trending?

Norway’s in the spotlight: From 21 December 2025, Inghams will run a weekly charter from Gatwick to Bergen, with packages to Voss, Myrkdalen and Geilo. A weaker kronar means more value for money here, with numerous slopes ideal for families. With dependable snow, an absence of lift queues and scenery that could double as a Netflix movie, it should be on your radar, particularly if you want to ski early or late in the season.

Mountains having a makeover: Last season Les Deux Alpes’ new Jandri Express slashed glacier access from 45 minutes to just 15 and this year Meribel and La Plagne both welcome new or refurbished gondola lifts giving faster access to high-altitude slopes. Livigno and Sölden are doubling down on snowmaking and lift infrastructure, while Italy as a whole is gearing up for its Olympic moment ahead of Milano Cortina 2026. Expect new hotels (check out Mandarin Oriental Alpine Resort, and The First Hotel Cortina by The Pavilions), faster lifts, and an Olympic polish on already world-class terrain.

Japan’s powder mecca grows — and gets quieter: Swap schnitzel for sashimi and head for slopes where powder snow is a given. Hokkaido remains the holy grail for powder hounds — and now Crystal Ski has added Furano and Tomamu to its portfolio. For adventurous skiers prepared to go the distance, this means deep, dry powder with fewer crowds than Niseko. Many skiers are choosing to stay longer and tour other iconic destinations in Japan.

The high-altitude early bookers: With climate change casting doubt on lower slopes, skiers are voting with their bookings early. The best hotels in snow-sure resorts — Val Thorens, Tignes, Obergurgl, Ischgl, Cervinia — will fill up fast. This is of course particularly true of half term and Easter which falls earlier in 2026 on April 5th. Book earlier or ski in slush.

Ski pass savings: Budget-conscious skiers, particularly families, are bagging Crystal and Inghams two-for-one ski pass deals or ditching the headline resorts for smaller, better-value destinations. A six-day lift pass at Bansko in Bulgaria or Les Deux Alps in France comes in around £280, compared with Whistler’s £429 or Val d’Isère’s £390. Multiply that by five and you’ve saved £550 — enough for ski school, fondue, and a round of hot chocolates at altitude.

Train to the Alps: Eurostar is running its Snow Train for the entire season with more operators including train options in their packages. Set off from London St Pancras International, grab a connection at Lille Europe, then hop off at Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne, Landry and Bourg-Saint-Maurice to reach some of the best resorts in France. You can now travel from London on a Saturday and return on a Saturday or a Sunday enabling even more time on the slopes!