SIN, Ski Test & Ski Weekender, The Ski & Snowboard Short Break Specialist
In January 2024 SIN travelled to La Clusaz to attend the Snow Industries of Great Britain Ski Test, hosted by the Ski Aravis ski area, which includes the resorts of La Clusaz, Saint Jean de Sixt, Manigod and Le Grand Bornand.
The event is purely for the ski trade to try out skis, bindings, boots, poles, avalanche safety equipment, helmets, and ski touring equipment, which will be available for consumers to purchase the following season. It follows hot on the heels of the British Snowsports trade show and is a vital tool for all retailers to fine tune their shop or on-line offerings, as well as providing an extremely useful training program for shop owners, staff, and trade press. All the main brands are represented at the event, but it is also a terrific opportunity for new brands to get their products seen and tested.
As it is a 5 day (Mon-Fri), event, we wanted to travel independently of tour operators who traditionally offer 7-day packages, generally travelling on a Saturday or Sunday. We really only needed 3 or 4 days to cover the event and try out some new products and speak to the great and good of the British ski trade. Checking flights and hotels and transfers is not only time consuming but can end up being expensive, so we were delighted when we were pointed in the direction of Ski Weekender.
With the choice of a 3-day midweek stay (Monday-Thursday) or a 4-day weekend stay (Thursday-Monday), or the more traditional 7-day stay, we obviously chose the former which sorted out the accommodation. However, their operation is not just about accommodation as their inclusive packages include,
- Airport transfers from Geneva (1hr)
- Catered Chalet Accommodation
- Full Region Lift pass
- In house ski rental
Based in Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, the Aravis Lodge offers a chalet style ski holiday with a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. The catering is of a very high standard using local produce, and the restaurant level 3-course evening meal includes wine of your choice. If that doesn’t get your taste buds watering then the package also includes a great choice of breakfast cereals, fruit, and a cooked option as well as afternoon, home made cakes and cookies, artisan bread and spreads, with tea and coffee on tap throughout the day. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available, and the chalet is certified by the Vegetarian Society.
There is a relaxed bar where one can watch UK satellite TV and enjoy the local beers or a cocktail or two, and other comfortable seating areas if chilling out with a good book is your thing. The exceptional staff go even further and offer evening activities such a sledging or snow-shoe walking for example.
Oh, and there’s more! Don’t worry that Saint-Jean-de-Sixt is not next to a ski lift. The fleet of on-site mini vans will take you on the very short trip to either Le Grand Bornand or La Clusaz and pick you up too. If you want to go to, or back from, the resorts at different times then there is an excellent free ski bus service which stops just a few metres from the chalet.
Whilst the rooms are relatively basic, they are warm, comfortable, and equipped with private facilities. All-in-all it is the perfect answer to short stays in the mountains where all one must do is book a flight. With Geneva being on many operator’s flight routes, it is relatively easy to find a low-cost flight, so what’s not to like.
The 2025 Snow Industries of Great Britain Ski Test on the horizon and all things being equal, SIN will be attending it again this year and if space allows, making the Aravis Lodge SIN's base
For more information about Ski Weekender and their other resort and accommodation options, visit: www.skiweekender.com
