29 Nov 2022
Need inspiration of where to ski next? Love them or hate them, the Royals do know a good ski resort when they see one. OK, so they won't be the cheapest, but there's often a bargain to be had, especially if you go for a five or six day holiday (instead of seven). Avoiding Saturday flights can often save you money too. So, let's find out which resorts are the king or queen of the mountain…
- Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall with daughters Mia & Lena love Bormio in Italy.
A perfect pairing of lively skiing and relaxing thermal water spas, it's no wonder Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall love skiing with their daughters on the pristine pistes of Bormio. Bellissimo! And with few Brits holidaying in the area, they can cruise down the easygoing blues and reds without prying eyes and unwanted attention. The best of the après ski is on the mountain before sunset, while the evening vibe is chilled and laid-back.
- William & Catherine, along with kids George, Charlotte & Louis love Courchevel in France.
A favourite of William, Catherine and their royal brood, Courchevel is renowned as one of the Alp's premier ski resorts. Popular with the rich and famous for its luxury chalets, boutique shops and private spas, it's a pretty spectacular resort. The skiing is epic too. Seasoned skiers love the variety of terrain, and newbies are treated to plenty of gentle slopes that lead back to the main village.
- Princess Beatrice & Princess Eugenie with their husbands, kids and mum Duchess Sarah Ferguson, love spending time in Verbier in Switzerland.
Renowned as a glamorous winter playground for the rich and famous, Verbier is where Princess Beatrice & Princess Eugenie go skiing with the family. From easy-going blues to gnarly off-piste verticals, there's something for all levels here. And it's not all go, go, go. Cruise down pristine first-track corduroy in the morning and chill out on sun loungers with champagne in the afternoon. Smashing!
- Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex with his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and their children son James Viscounts Severn & daughter Lady Louise travel to St Moritz in Switzerland for their skiing.
Glitzy and glamorous, St Moritz is a first-rate ski resort in Switzerland. Oh so chic! Whether you're just starting out or are a skilled pro, the picturesque sunny pistes are fun and varied, and you may even spot the Earl and Countess of Wessex on the slopes! There's plenty to do off the pistes too. Upmarket bars and gourmet restaurants entice you in for classy cocktails and Michelin-starred cuisine.
- Dutch Royal family King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands with their three daughters, Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane travel to Lech-Zurs in Austria
Set in one of the snowiest parts of Austria, the exclusive ski resort of Lech boasts exceptional skiing terrain that is spot-on for newbies and intermediates. But off-piste fans can get their fix, too, with plenty of freeride powder bowls to explore. Magic! Popular with the Dutch Royal Family, Lech is adorned with sophisticated champagne bars, 5-star restaurants and boutique shops. Oh, and if you need some R&R, the spas are pretty luxurious here too.
- King Charles famously loves Klosters in Switzerland
The exclusive yet understated ski resort of Klosters in Switzerland's picturesque Prattigau Valley is a favourite of King Charles III. Despite a big avalanche back in the 80s which led to the tragic death of a close friend, King Charles has been back to the resort and was last seen in February of this year. Also frequented by celebrities and film stars, this charming village is the perfect base to enjoy heaps of red runs and freeride valleys. Let's cruise! New skiers will love the sunny bunny slopes at Madrisa, and with Michelin-starred restaurants, classy shops, and opulent spas, non-skiers will have a ball too.
- King Filipe VI of Spain can be spotted in Baqueira-Beret.
A skiing holiday in Spain is virtually unheard of amongst the British set, but Baqueira-Beret has the royal seal of approval from the King of Spain. A charming resort in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees, cruisey blues and swift reds stream down the mountains. Freeride lovers are spoilt for choice, and the heliskiing is out of this world. Magnífico! End a big day on the hill with fizz and tapas at the Moet Lounge before a siesta and late evening dinner.
- Princess Marie and Prince Joachim of Denmark with their four children, Prince Nikolai, Prince Felix, Prince Henrik and Princess Athena can't get enough of Villars in Switzerland.
With close proximity to the well-to-do city of Geneva, it's no surprise that Villars is fashionable amongst the rich and famous, including the Danish Royal Family. The vast snowsure skiing area is a paradise for intermediates. And the pretty village is brimming with luxury hotels, stylish restaurants and chic bars. Forget garish glitz and glamour; Villars has an air of traditional charm and sophistication.
About Heidi
Heidi was launched in 2018, formally known as Ski Zoom. Founded by the Blunt brothers, Marcus 39 and Alexander, 37, the company was born out of the lack of flexibility in the winter ski market and the desire the duo had to discover new destinations.
**The company has seen exponential growth from year one sales of £500k to year four sales of £11m, all with Covid sandwiched in between! This year Heidi is currently 160% up, year on year. The founders, who are half Norwegian, admit they were lucky to have snow as part of their DNA growing up in a country where enjoying the terrain of a white winter was part and parcel of everyday life. They then got to appreciate all the summer adventures the mountains offered, prompting their desire to provide package opportunities year-round and change their name from Ski Zoom to Heidi.
The millennials have successfully amalgamated their experience of working in the travel industry, in different guises with a savvy technical prowess to develop a completely new way of searching and booking ski trips, which brings a totally modern and flexible approach to today's market. Users of Heidi have thousands of options to choose from to find their perfect break, whether they're a family looking for a budget friendly option for beginners, or a group of friends after a quick, convenient mid-week getaway, close to the slopes, with tons of après ski. Customers can now build their perfect break in minutes and everything is planned and covered by Heidi, which is protected under ATOL. Ski passes and equipment can also be booked online through the business.
Heidi is designed to break down the inflexible restrictions in the winter ski and board market and enable more people to easily enjoy the mountains year-round.
Rachel Follett
+44 (0) 7813 803 936
