Where to fly, what’s new for this ski season and how a private jet charter means more precious time on the slopes.
Our charter team usually starts to see the first enquiries for ski season charter flights in September, from seasoned skiers planning their annual trips, family groups preparing for the February school holiday rush and specialist tour operators seeking a dedicated aircraft for group travel.
Whilst the European ski resort favourites remain unchanged, every new ski season in the Alps brings another wave of newness in the form of faster lifts and improved snow-making.
Why fly privately for a European ski break?
Timing matters, whether it’s a long weekend or half-term escape.
With time measured on the slopes in ski runs, a private jet charter can significantly reduce travel time and ensure your on-piste and après time is fully maximised.
- Private terminals offer a streamlined travel experience, requiring arrival only 30 mins before departure, whilst access to regional airports can shorten the ground transfer time compared with flights available on a scheduled service.
- Departure times can be tailored to the group’s requirements and skis, snowboards and luggage travel with you – there’s no risk of being separated from your important equipment.
- Onward helicopter or chauffeured road transfers can be organised as part of your private jet charter, creating one seamless journey from runway to resort.
What’s new for the 2026/27 ski season?
In the Alps the 2026/27 season sees the benefits of continued investment in lift infrastructure. With news of over 150 new or replacement lifts across Europe, Italy has an especially active programme of gondola and chairlift upgrades, while Austria is combining new lifts with snow-making projects.
- Sölden, Austria: the Gratl double chairlift is being replaced by a high-performance six-seat chair for 2026/27. The resort is also expanding snowmaking, introducing a photovoltaic project at the Tiefenbach Glacier and returning the modernised Mutkogl T-bar to service.
- Kronplatz, Italy: two new 10-person gondolas are listed for 2026, each with a stated capacity of 3,250 passengers per hour, alongside further upgrades on the mountain.
- Val Gardena, Italy: planned gondola projects include Ruacia–Sochers–Bruno and Costabella, strengthening access around one of the Dolomites’ best-known ski areas.
- Kronplatz, Italy: beyond the new Kronplatz 1+2 gondola, the renewed Ruis eight-person gondola is designed to carry up to 3,600 passengers per hour, while the new Dolomiti eight-seat chair adds weather protection and heated seats.
In France, the focus remains on smoother links and capacity across major resorts.
Where to fly: European ski favourites for 2026/27
Méribel and Courchevel, France
Fly to: Chambéry (1 hour 30 minute flight from London)
At the heart of Les 3 Vallées, Méribel and Courchevel combine a vast linked ski area with celebrated hotels, chalets and dining. Chambéry is the principal regional gateway for private charter, with Geneva, Lyon and Annecy useful alternatives depending on aircraft availability, weather and the final resort. Travellers returning after 2025/26 will benefit from recent improvements across the domain, including the Côte Brune gondola linking Méribel-Mottaret towards Col de la Chambre. Commercially chartered private jets cannot use Alpine altiports such as Courchevel or Méribel, but Smart Aviation can arrange an onward helicopter transfer where conditions and permissions allow.
Val d’Isère and Tignes, France
Fly to: Chambéry (1 hour 30 min flight from London)
For travellers prioritising altitude and a long season, Tignes and Val d’Isère remain compelling choices. Tignes has confirmed a phased opening from 21 November 2026, with the linked Tignes–Val d’Isère area scheduled to open progressively from 28 November and operate until 2 May 2027, subject to favourable snow conditions. Chambéry offers the closest practical private-jet gateway for many itineraries, with a helicopter or private road transfer completing the journey.
Verbier and Zermatt, Switzerland
Fly to: Sion (1 hour 45 minute flight from London)
Sion is the natural regional airport for Verbier and can substantially reduce the road journey compared with a larger hub. Zermatt is car-free, so the final leg requires careful coordination by helicopter, road and rail, depending on conditions and local restrictions. Its high-altitude skiing and link to Cervinia make it particularly attractive at the beginning and end of the season.
The Dolomites and Sölden
Fly to: Innsbruck (1 hour 50 minute flight from London)
Italy’s Dolomites stand out this winter for the scale of their lift investment. At Kronplatz, the rebuilt Kronplatz 1+2 gondola is designed to operate faster, carry up to 3,250 passengers per hour and reduce energy usage by around 20% – the mountain is also adding the renewed Ruis gondola, a new Dolomiti chairlift and new piste projects.
In Austria, Sölden combines its new Gratl chairlift with expanded snowmaking and a high-altitude solar project. Innsbruck is the most convenient private-aviation gateway for many Tyrolean resorts.
Plan the aircraft around the ski trip
A private jet charter in ski season has some additional considerations compared to a charter in the summer months – our charter team will consider runway performance in winter conditions, luggage volume, ski and snowboard dimensions, de-icing and airport opening to find the right solution for your trip.
For peak dates, including Christmas, New Year, February half-term and Easter, booking early booking gives the widest choice of aircraft and more chance of securing a slot for arrival.
James Gregory, Head of VIP Charter at Smart Aviation, has a recommendation: “For ski season, we recommend aircraft that we know have the requirements and capacity for winter charters. I often recommend the Phenom 300 for smaller groups travelling with winter sports equipment, as it has a large hold and plenty of space for skis, without compromising on cabin comfort.”
Start planning your 2026/27 ski trip
Whether you are planning a spontaneous weekend in Verbier, a family week in the French Alps or a Dolomites itinerary built around this season’s new lifts, our charter team can source the right aircraft and coordinate every stage of your journey.
Contact the team on +44 (0)1293 551244 or at [email protected] for a quotation.
