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Published on December 19, 2024 11:27

How 3 Colorado Towns Are Working to Be Leaders in Accessible Travel

The state of Colorado is taking big strides to be more accessible, enjoyable, and inclusive of travelers with differing physical abilities. The Colorado Tourism Office, in partnership with Wheel the World, launched a pilot program this year to improve accessibility for travelers with disabilities. Three destinations — Beaver Creek Resort Company, Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce, and Pueblo Chamber of Commerce — were selected to receive on-site accessibility assessments, staff training, and marketing support in the final round of announcements made in November.

This initiative aligns with Colorado’s Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan, aiming to make the state a more inclusive and welcoming place for all visitors. The program’s goal is to enhance accessibility in key tourist areas and promote verified accessible sites. This effort builds upon Colorado Springs’ prior achievement of Wheel the World’s Destination Verified Seal.

What the Accessible Travel Program will do for travelers to Colorado person in wheelchair and biker on bridge

Photo: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

According to Wheel the World, 1 in 4 US travelers will travel with someone needing some level of accessibility at least once per year. The Accessible Travel Program will help participating cities and towns throughout Colorado better accommodate these travelers, and provide more equitable access to the outdoors.

“This program showcases Colorado’s commitment to ensuring that tourism is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability,” Timothy Wolfe, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office, said in a press release. “This pilot initiative represents a significant step in making Colorado a leader in accessible tourism, empowering both visitors and local communities.”

Colorado’s approach to inclusive tourism development is centered around ensuring that all visitors, regardless of physical abilities, can experience the state’s offerings. The Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan is a 10-year plan with the goal of enhancing responsible and inclusive tourism across the state. By collaborating with Wheel the World, Colorado is expanding its offerings for travelers with disabilities and their companions. In April 2024, Visit Colorado Springs was the first destination in the state to receive Wheel the World’s official Destination Verified Seal.

“(The Accessible Travel Program) is a pilot program in partnership with Wheel the World, a private company that verifies businesses and destination accessibility status,” Heidi Pankow of Visit Glenwood told Matador. “This pilot program from the Colorado Tourism Office will allow us to go through a destination accessibility audit, become a verified destination, work with our tourism partners to amplify their accessibility and educate our partners and workforce in the best ways to welcome travelers with accessibility needs.”

Glenwood Springs is one of three Colorado destinations selected to participate in the program, Pueblo and Beaver Creek were also selected and will receive support for current and forthcoming accessibility efforts.

“Basically, through this program we will be able to make what is accessible in Glenwood Springs visible to potential guests,” Pankow says.

Improving accessibility access in and around the selected cities

The Pueblo Riverwalk. Photo: Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock

“We believe that our residents and visitors alike should have the opportunity to experience the amazing tourism activities & attractions that Pueblo has to offer, regardless of their physical abilities,” says Mandy Thacker, Community Development Coordinator with the Greater Pueblo Chamber. “Accessible travel is not only a fundamental right but also a powerful economic driver.”
Thacker noted that Pueblo’s ADA Committee has already made significant improvements to make the outdoors more accessible in and around the city. The accessible travel program will help Pueblo capitalize on that progress and further improve access.

The selected destinations will receive support for the following:

On-site accessibility assessments for up to 23 accommodations and attractions.Marketing support to list verified accessible sites on Wheel The World’s platformFree online training for hospitality professionals on accessible travel best practicesA final summary report with recommendations for continued accessibility efforts

Glenwood Springs has assembled a “Core Team” of local stakeholders to guide the city through the Accessible Travel Program.

“The first step is to compile the list of 23 sites that will be audited by the Wheel the World team as part of the Verified Destination process,” Pankow says. “In addition to learning what our local offerings are, we will get recommendations from the WTW team on how to improve/increase our accessibility. We will be happy to share the outcomes from the program as we go through the processes, we are very excited to learn and grow.”

Travel to the state should get easier for those in wheelchairs and with physical impairments on a rolling basis going forward, as efforts are enacted and results begin to emerge.

“When destinations and accommodations are designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, they become more inclusive and attract a wider range of visitors,” Thacker says. “This can boost local economies, create jobs, and foster cultural understanding.”

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Published on December 19, 2024 11:12

December 18, 2024

Going Home for the Holidays? Experts Say Don’t Drive on These Dates.

Despite how much media attention gets given to busy airports when Christmas rolls around, only a small percentage (about 6.6 percent) of travelers are flying over the holidays. That means most Americans who plan to travel before and after Christmas will be driving to their destinations. So roads are going to be really, really crowded.

According to the American Automobile Association, or AAA, 119 million people are expected to travel between Saturday, December 21, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Of that amount, 107 million are expected to drive at least 50 miles from home, which is about 2.5 million more people than traveled by car during the same period in 2023. Because Christmas falls midweek, it’s likely that most travelers will take off the entire week, driving on the weekends before and after the holiday. The report also notes that gas prices are lower than they were toward the end of 2023, which makes the financial offered by driving, rather than flying, even higher. (The national average as of December 18 is $3.03 per gallon, though it can be more than double than that in some parts of the country).

What to expect on the worst days to drive for Christmas in 2025

Photo: AAA Holiday Travel Forecast

If you’re driving in the next two weeks, the AAA report advises that the worst days to travel for Christmas will be the weekend of December 21 and 22, with Sunday, December 22, being the worst of the worst. It’s expected to be the busiest day for driving, especially during afternoon hours. The best days for driving are those closest to the holiday, including Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25). Likewise, driving on January 31 (New Year’s Eve) and January 1, 2025 (New Years Day) will maximize your chances of having a quick, traffic-free journey.

Based on AAA’s data, the days and times in the table above will be the best and worst for long-distance driving this year.

worst days to drive for christmas 2025 - dc

As is often the case, traffic around DC and the beltway is expected to be some of the worst in the country around Christmas. Photo: Daniel J. Macy/Shutterstock

Depending on where you live in the US, travel could be even worse than the national average. Based on traveler data, AAA anticipates that some metro areas will see extremely bad traffic as people head home for the holidays. Washington, DC, famous for bad traffic year-round, is expected to be the most congested metro area, with traffic woes peaking on the afternoon of Thursday, December 19. It could see a 160 percent increase in delays (not 60 percent — 160 percent). Other metro areas and times drivers will want to avoid include:

New York, NY: Avoid hitting the road on Sunday, December 22, where there could be a 108 percent increase in traffic in the late afternoon, especially if you’re headed toward Long Island.Seattle, WA: Drivers headed vaguely in the direction of Ellensburg, WA, will likely see a 106 percent increase in drive times, especially if they leave in the evening on Friday, December 20.Boston, MA: If you’re heading south from Boston, avoid the afternoon of Friday, December 20, where drives may take 100 percent longer than normal (a.k.a., take twice as long).Other metro areas, including San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CA; Tampa, FL; Portland, OR; and Chicago, IL, will see drives take 50 to 100 percent longer than normal.Drivers around Atlanta, GA; Detroit, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Philadelphia, PA; and San Diego, CA, should expect drives to take between 35 and 49 percent longer than normal.

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Published on December 18, 2024 17:15

I Tried the Viral TikTok Airplane Hair Curling Trick. Here’s How It Went.

If you’ve been anywhere near Instagram or TikTok recently and have long hair, you’ve probably seen some version of the viral hair hack going around. All you need is long-ish hair, a pair of socks, and a lot of time, and you can curl your hair without any heat or effort. There are various versions on the internet, but the first one I saw was focused on how to do it during a long red-eye flight, ensuring that you can sleep on the plane and wake up at your destination with perfect, bouncy curls, looking like you styled your hair on the plane.

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A post shared by ERIN RIDER (@erinrider)

As someone with long hair, very little hair styling skills, and a 30-hour flight coming up, I decide to try it.

How curling hair with socks works

Here’s my hair after a full day outside in Nairobi (and my face after a nine-hour red-eye flight), before trying the hair curling with socks trick. Photo: Suzie Dundas

According to Instagram and Tiktok, this hack is pretty easy. You start by dividing your hair into two even sections (or three, if you have tons of hair). Then, wrap your hair around a tube sock (holding one end in your mouth while you wrap helps). When you reach the end of your hair, fold the open end of the tube sock over the wrapped hair to keep it in place. You should end up with something that looks like puppy ears on each side of your head. You’ll do this with perfect dry, unstyled hair.

Then, just wait. I tried this on the longest segment of my travel pattern, from Frankfurt, Germany, to San Francisco, California. I landed in Frankfurt after a nine-hour flight from Nairobi, Kenya, and spent the day before that walking around Kenya. So my hair was clean, but a little windblown and wavy, thanks to some light hunidity. Otherwise, my hair is normally pretty straight, which is one reason I was keen to give this hair travel hack a try.

The process

I wrapped my hair on each side around cotton tube socks. Photo: Suzie Dundas

After take off, I pulled out my tube socks to give it a try. Though most videos don’t mention this, I’m guessing the socks are supposed to be clean, which mine weren’t — I was flying home after a 12-day safari, and there are strict weight limits on bags on small bush planes. So I had to work with what I had, which was dirty socks. It’s possible that was part of the reason (spoiler) it didn’t work very well, as the socks may have had some oil or dirt on them that weighed down my hair.

My hair is normally pretty straight and very fine and soft, almost like silky baby hair. That may sound nice, but in reality, it just means my hair breaks easily, gets frizzly, and doesn’t hold curls well. So I knew it would be an uphill battle, but considering how long my flight was, it seemed worth trying just to have something to do.

However, it didn’t take long to realize that my tube socks were not long enough. I either had to stretch the sock a ton, which made it not stay put, or wrap all my hair along a relatively short section of sock, which meant I kind of had to fold my hair upward toward the tips. I ended up trying to stretch the sock as much as possible, and using a hair tie to keep it in place near the top. I also ran out of sock and didn’t have enough fabric left to fold it fully over the wrapped part, so I kind of had to squish my hair a little to make it all fit.

Next step: nothing

After wrapping, I waited about 10 hours to see if curling my hair with socks would actually work. Photo: Suzie Dundas

After wrapping my hair as well as I could with my too-short socks, I waited. In most of the Instagram videos I’d seen, the women trying it had perfect makeup and looked exactly how you expect a social media influencer would. With no makeup, a lack of sleep, and having just spent nine hours on a flight, I certainly didn’t feel like my look was very chic. So I pulled up my hood to hide the dog ears and tried to find a way to settle into my economy seat headrest without making the socks fall out.

I left it in for about nine hours

hair curling with socks- about to remove

Photo: Suzie Dundas

My flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco was just under 12 hours, so I probably left the sock curls in for about nine to 10 hours. The various videos I saw online didn’t say how long curling hair with socks takes, exactly, so I figured the longer, the better. Since my hair was pretty clean at the time (and clean hair doesn’t usually hold style quite as well), I wanted to maximize the odds that it would work. Plus, I had a hood to cover how ridiculous my dog ears looked.

Despite sleeping on the plane in a squished-down position, smashing my head against a cheap Lufthansa airplane pillow, and shifting and turning over and over for most of the flight, the socks stayed in pretty well. However, that’s probably because I used hir ties to hold the socks in place, which I wouldn’t have had to do if the socks I’d used had been longer. I had some flyaways and frizz around my head, but the socks kept most of the hair in otherwise.

The finished product

It worked, sort of. Photo: Suzie Dundas

It worked, kind of. As you can see from the photo above, it worked — for a bit. You can see the curls, and unfortunately, you can also see the weird angles around the bottom of my hair where I had to fold my hair and squish it around the bottom of the sock. I think that area would look a lot smoother and better curled if I had used a longer sock. One issue I also noticed is that you should curl your hair away from your face on either side. I curled them the same way, and as a result, both side of my hair are kind of curling to the left, which I think looks a little weird.

Unfortunately, by the time I picked up my luggage, got through customs, and rechecked my bag, the curls had mostly fallen out.

curling hair with socks -- one hour later

The curls had mostly fallen out about an hour after I removed the socks. Photo: Suzie

That’s probably because I used the wrong kind of product (I used a flyaway smoother before I put the socks in, but should have used a hairspray-type product) and because I really had to smush my hair into the socks to make them fit. Longer socks would have worked a lot better. The other issue is that I should have held the sock straight and wrapped my hair around it, like wrapping my hair around a pole, rather than twisting the sock and my hair together. When I air dry my hair, and just twist the ends as they’re drying, I get much better curls that seem to stay for a lot longer, even without using a product.

I’m not sure that curling my hair with socks worked any better than just twisting the ends while they’re wet, as seen here. Photo: Suzie Dundas

The verdict: does curling hair with socks on a long flight actually work?

The trick does curl your hair — but getting them to look nice (and getting the curls to stay in place) may take some practice. Photo: Suzie Dundas

My verdict is that yes, curling your hair with socks does work, usually. But it didn’t work well for me, probably because of the way I twisted it and using the wrong socks. Because my hair is fine, if I tried it again, I’d also use some kind of thickening or styling spray beforehand. However, people with hair that dries quickly might find that another method works better: about an hour or two before landing, get the ends of your hair damp in the airplane sink, comb them, and then just slowly twist the ends as they dry. For me, that’s a more efficient method — though I do want to try curling my hair with socks one more time with the right socks to see if that may make a difference.

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Published on December 18, 2024 12:43

9 Cheap Houses in France That Even You Can Afford

Don’t let anyone convince you that your dream of moving to France to live a simple life filled with freshly baked bread, cheese, and buttery pastries is nothing but a pie in the sky. Moving abroad is possible, especially now that many of us can work remotely. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. While finding an affordable apartment with views of the Eiffel Tower isn’t going to happen, there are plenty of reasonably priced and charming properties throughout France’s countryside that will cost you less than $165,000. Whether you want a permanent residence or a vacation home, there are affordable houses for sale in France that can make your dreams of baguettes, camembert, and pains au chocolat become a reality.

1. Two-bedroom chalet in Mauroux, Lot: €125,350 ($131,524)

This small chalet consists of a sitting room/living room, a small but fully equipped kitchen, two good-sized bedrooms, and a shaded porch for enjoying meals. Being a chalet, everything inside and out is made of wood, creating a rustic and cozy atmosphere.

The chalet is located on a three-star resort aptly named “Village du Soleil” (Sunny Village). The resort houses 72 chalets and offers amenities such as a restaurant, swimming pool, tennis court, and children’s playground. The annual resort fees of €2,000 ($2,099), or €167 ($175) per month, cover the maintenance of the premises and equipment.

Mauroux is a small village with fewer than 600 inhabitants in the Lot Valley. Sunny Village is close to the region’s famous vineyards, historical sites, and the Lot River, where visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, and other activities.

2. Characterful stone house in Cruzy, Hérault: €109,000 ($114,366)

This small stone house, located on a quiet village street, has a unique three-level layout. A staircase from the street leads to the living space, which includes an eat-in kitchen and a sitting room that opens onto a small patio. The two bedrooms, shower room, and restroom are located on the top floor. The ground floor, at street level, serves as a storage and laundry room.

While updated to modern standards, the house maintains its traditional character with colorful vintage-patterned tiles, slanted ceilings, wooden beams, a fireplace, a wood stove, and retro built-ins that contribute to its comfortable atmosphere.

The village of Cruzy is situated 16 miles from the city of Béziers (with daily bus service), 22 miles from the beach, and just 75 minutes by car from the Spanish border. Despite its small size, Cruzy offers a bakery, deli, pharmacy, small grocery store, and café. The nearby town of Quarante, less than two miles away, provides additional amenities.

3. Small house with a huge yard and a pond in Chavin, Indre: €133,750 ($140,353)

While this very small house could use some cosmetic updates, it has all the essentials: one bedroom, one bathroom, one kitchen, and one living room/sitting room, all in good condition. What makes this property exceptional isn’t so much the house but the land it sits on. At 3.7 acres, including a wooded area and a nearly two-acre pond teeming with various fish species, the property resembles a nature reserve more than a private yard. It’s the ideal spot for a single person or couple who wants to be immersed in nature — especially if they enjoy fishing.

This one-bedroom house features a fireplace and is off-grid, powered by a gas generator. It’s possible to install solar panels for a more sustainable power supply.

The village of Chavin is extremely small, with fewer than 300 inhabitants, guaranteeing peaceful surroundings. Despite its remote feel, the house is only a three-hour drive from Paris.

4. Three-bedroom, blue-shuttered house in Asnières-la-Giraud, Charente-Maritime: €149,875 ($157,254)

If the blue shutters on this lovely house located on a quiet street don’t capture your heart, the large sitting room with its painted wood beams and original fireplace surely will. With three bedrooms, two large living spaces, two bathrooms, and a generously sized kitchen, this charming house offers ample room for a family.

The property features two wood stoves and electric radiators throughout to keep you warm during winter. In summer, you can take advantage of the kitchen’s French doors that open to the yard, perfect for outdoor dining and sunbathing. While the yard needs some attention, it has significant potential.

Asnières-la-Giraud is a small village with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, but the beautiful town of Saint-Jean-d’Angely is just 10 minutes away by car. Saint-Jean-d’Angely boasts the magnificent Royal Abbaye and is vibrant with numerous businesses, markets, fairs, and restaurants.

5. One-bedroom stone house in a remote village in Riols, Hérault: €70,000 ($73,446)

This incredibly affordable one-bedroom stone house, located in a remote hamlet, is undeniably small but incredibly charming. The traditional stone walls, wood beams, and wood stove in the living room give the home a cozy and rustic character.

The property’s location in the heart of the Haut Languedoc Regional Nature Park is its true selling point. The breathtaking views of mountains and forests more than compensate for any indoor space limitations.

While the property is situated in the small historic village of Riols and feels remote, the town of Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, with its variety of cafés, bars, and restaurants, is just a 15-minute drive away.

6. Fully renovated three-bedroom stone house in Saint-Junien-la-Bregère, Creuse: €149,950 ($157,354)

This fully renovated three-bedroom house comes with a small pool, two large fields, two barns, and six horse stables — offering plenty of space for a family with ambitious projects. Every room inside the house is spacious, and the patio provides spectacular rural views. Multiple outdoor spaces are perfect for setting up patio furniture and enjoying al fresco meals.

While the interior has been beautifully modernized, the stunning traditional stone exterior remains intact. The property is located in a quiet, rural setting but is conveniently close to several small towns (ranging from five to 20 minutes away by car) that offer all necessary amenities.

7. Former farmhouse with two bedrooms and a large yard in Guesnes, Vienne: €89,000 ($93,411)

Though small and squat from the outside, this former farmhouse is expertly laid out to welcome a family. Two bedrooms are located below the eaves on a mezzanine, while the ground floor features a kitchen, living room/sitting room, bathroom, and an additional room that could be converted into a third bedroom. Despite modernizations, the house retains its historical charm with clay tiles throughout the main floor, wood beams, a fireplace, a wood kitchen stove, and even a traditional bread oven in the yard.

The large, fenced yard is planted with diverse species, including fig trees, grapevines, pine trees, and rose bushes. An outbuilding provides storage, and a covered terrace is annexed to the house.

While Guesnes is a small village with fewer than 300 inhabitants, nearby towns offer all necessary conveniences.

8. Small, two-bedroom stone farmhouse in Chamberet, Corrèze: €129,990 ($136,432)

With its stone facade, green shutters, and slate roof, this picturesque farmhouse is immediately eye-catching, and its interior is equally charming. The renovation maintains the home’s quaint character, featuring wooden floors, stone walls, wood beams, and bedrooms nestled beneath the eaves.

The large yard includes a swimming pool, and the former bread oven has been cleverly transformed into a charming vacation rental.

Chamberet’s village center is less than 10 minutes away and provides everything you might need, including a bustling market, bakery, bars, restaurants, supermarket, and gas station. Bariousses Lake, just six miles away, offers swimming opportunities during the summer months.

9. 17th-century, eight-bedroom house in Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, Hérault: €165,000 ($173,178)

This 17th-century house boasts a total of 16 rooms, including eight bedrooms and four bathrooms, while preserving all its traditional features: high ceilings, a mix of beautiful vintage flooring, a majestic staircase, and a glass roof. The kitchen opens to a terrace perfect for outdoor dining, and the dining room features a grand fireplace — one of many in the house.

While some renovations are still needed, significant work has already been completed. For those not intimidated by ongoing improvements, this could be an ideal property. With its numerous bedrooms, the house also presents an opportunity to create a bed and breakfast and generate additional income.

Saint-Pons-de-Thomières is a small town of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants but offers all necessary daily businesses, including grocery stores, a café, bakery, and florist.

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Published on December 18, 2024 11:39

A Luxe Ski Trip to France Is Cheaper Than Skiing in the US (Seriously)

If I told you that an all-inclusive ski vacation to The French Alps for a family of four can be cheaper than a trip to Aspen, you’d be correct to think, “prove it.” I certainly would.

Growing up, I was fortunate enough to learn to ski in France and Italy. Our family winter vacations were always to all-inclusive resorts where my parents would vanish early to black runs, leaving us kids in the capable hands of French or Italian ski instructors. We’d whizz down the slopes with our new friends from the kid’s club, singing “I’m a little teapot” as we cruised down the bunny runs. But it was more than just learning how to ski. It was a cultural education. I forgot how these experiences shaped me until last week, when after almost 25 years off the slopes, I returned to Tignes, in the French Alps, to experience it all over again with Club Med.

By no means is the idea of an all-inclusive ski vacation new to Europe — it’s been part of the ski vacation industry for some time. But Club Med seemed to be doing something special when it comes to two major selling points: it makes a ski vacation to Europe both affordable, and ridiculously straightforward.

Photo: Club Med

Perched at an altitude of 6,890 feet (or 2,100 meters) above sea level, Club Med Tignes is a sprawling complex of colorful corridors linking the resort village. Under one roof, there’s everything you need and want (and probably never considered you could get) from an Alps ski resort. During my visit, it had a lively mix of families, couples, and groups of friends enjoying the alpine ambiance. The ski-in, ski-out location means guests get extremely quick and easy access to the vast Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area, which has over 180 miles of interconnected slopes from beginner to expert.

Photo: Club Med

The all-inclusive package includes accommodations, meals and drinks, childcare, entertainment, access to wellness facilities, twice-a-day ski or snowboard lessons for all ski levels, lift tickets, and ski shuttle access. That’s already much more than you get from a ski package in the US, but I also noticed exceptional service from the staff, who keep the enormous resort running smoothly. Everyone I met was kind and passionate and felt like old friends by the end of the week, creating a winning combination for a stress-free European vacation.

How Club Med is making European skiing accessible

person skiing on family skiing europe vacation

Photo: Club Med

I woke early on the first day of my ski trip, feeling anxious about my 25-year sabbatical from skiing. Breakfast starts at 7 AM, and desperate for an espresso, I navigated the winding passageways to find Le Val Claret — the main restaurant that serves an impressive buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I walked into magnificent stacks of pancakes, regional cheeses and cold cuts, crispy bacon and sausages, waffles, French toast, and warm baguettes aplenty.

While sitting alone, watching zealous powderhounds and other early birds trickle through the doors, I was jolted from my pre-coffee haze by the sound of a Boston accent. “I think I’ll join you,” said a gentleman in his early 70s. Andy Richards became my first new friend at Club Med, and we met each morning to have breakfast together. After one meal, I learned everything there is to know about his family, his heartbreaking recent loss of his wife in the last year, and why he decided to book a vacation through Club Med to perk himself up before the Christmas holidays.

“It’s basic math,” he told me in a hushed voice as if this was a secret other guests were not privy to. “I spoke with Club Med and told them to compare the cost of a ski trip to the US with what they could offer me here.” Richards was traveling with his 40-something son. Both are exceptional skiers and, at times, even instructed family members and friends. “I had to pay for my son, of course,” Richards continued as he poured a river of syrup onto his pancakes. I learned that he had paid $3,350 per person for seven days in Tignes. This included flights, transfers, and all the other elements I mentioned above. “Flights alone would have set me back more than half of that,” he added, looking smug.

Armed with this information and a little skip in my step after an unexpected new friendship, I spoke with Club Med and asked for a price breakdown to compare the cost of a vacation for a family of four in Aspen, Colorado, compared to an all-inclusive package with Club Med in Europe. And Richards was not exaggerating. Here’s the breakdown:

Club Med Tignes — total amount $8,340

Round trip airfare — IncludedAccommodation — IncludedMeals — IncludedAlcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages — IncludedLift passes — IncludedSki or snowboard lessons (four days) — IncludedRoundtrip transfers — Included

DIY trip to Aspen — total amount $16,948

Round trip airfare from NYC — $1,988Accommodation — $5,122Meals — $1,750Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages — $980Lift passes — $2,996 (per family for seven-day pass)Ski or snowboard lessons (four days) — $3,182Round trip transfers — $930

That makes Club Med Tignes about half the price of a ski trip to Aspen? Of course, these figures must be taken with a grain of salt, but the point is that a ski trip to Europe can be much more affordable for families — especially when you consider a single-day lift ticket in the US can be more than $289 per person.

Lessons are divided by skill level. Putting my ego aside, I started at the bottom. I was apprehensive about the gear and had to grab an employee in the ski room to help me secure my boots before encouraging me slowly towards the fresh powder. Surrounded by the sound of upbeat music (the rental shop has a bar, snacks, and sometimes an afternoon DJ), I took in the azure blue sky, and neighboring runs peppered with skiers already zig-zagging down.

Photo: Katie Scott Aiton

Group lessons were small because it was the very start of the season. There were only three adults in the beginner group: myself, and a couple from Namibia, Aniel and David, who had not only never skied before, but never seen snow.

We didn’t have a shared history of skiing as kids, but we bonded through the anxiousness of trying something foreign and uncomfortable. As we shuffled in our skis, Aniel told me that an all-inclusive was the only way they could carefully budget a European vacation. With the weak exchange rate between South Africa’s Rand and the Euro, the family put money aside for Club Med over a year and found solace in the security of no surprise extra costs.

The nervous tension broke as Aniel laughed, adding, “I have two boys aged 11 and 14. Believe me, they eat a lot. We need a buffet when traveling.” It’s one of several reasons the Club Med package made sense for the family. Aniel’s sons bounced from snowboarding lessons to family meals to the resort’s teenage club to watch movies, play video games, and hang out with peers while their parents braved the slopes together.

What is included in a Club Med all-inclusive snow vacation in Tignes?

There’s a range of comfortable and stylish rooms for all budgets

Photo: Katie Scott Aiton

Photo: Club Med

Rooms at Club Med Tignes are divided into “superior,” “deluxe,” and “exclusive.” Both the Superior and Deluxe have the option of an interconnecting room for families, a baby bed (and a baby welcome pack) on demand, and furnished balconies with views over the village or slopes. They follow a similar color pallet as the resort, with cheerful patterned carpets, wood furnishings, and warm fabrics. Bathrooms are spa-like, with rain showers, deep soaking tubs, luxurious toiletries, and a heated towel rail perfect for warming your robe after a long day in the snow.

The “Exclusive Collection” rooms cost extra, but include access to a lounge and bar, in-room breakfast service, a private ski room, and a dedicated concierge. The resort also has 25 suites for families, all of which have ample space for a family of four, including a main bedroom, a bedroom with two twin beds, and a separate living area. I can see where it would be good for families who want space to have breakfast together or hang out in the evening to play board games.

You’ll never go hungry (or thirsty) with Club Med

Photo: Club Med

Photo: Katie Scott Aiton

There are two restaurants: the aforementioned Le Val Claret, which serves an impressive buffet with dishes from Thai curries to raclette, steaks, risotto, and hearty stews, and the gourmet lounge, Le Solstice. Depending on the day, Le Solstice is open for lunch and dinner. For dinner, you’ll need to make a reservation, which I highly recommend doing at least once. In the evening, the a la carte menu is more elevated, offering plates such as beef carpaccio with parmesan shavings, pistachio sausage with creamy polenta, 30-day dry-aged ribs, and shareable fondues. An on-site sommelier manages the wine list. Of course, you can stick with the house wine included in your package, but if you want a treat, you can splash out on a bottle of Beaujolais to pair with the beef.

Photo: Katie Scott Aiton

Between meals, the Equinoxe Bar near the main lobby serves afternoon tea and aperitifs of charcuterie and cheese, chips and dips, and a thoughtful kids’ corner with chicken nuggets and small sandwiches. Bar staff can whip up your drink of choice from an Aperol Spritz to a zesty mojito, both of which are included in the package.

First-class transfers from the airport to the slopes

Richards had mentioned he calculated the cost of getting from Geneva to Tignes before booking with Club Med. A taxi would average out over $300. The nearest airports to the Alps resort are Lyon, France, and Geneva, Switzerland; both are around three hours away, depending on conditions. But hotel packages include the airport transfer. Not only will this save you money, but you’ll be grateful to have a driver who knows the mountain roads, especially in heavy snowfall.

Leave your heavy gear at home and rent everything on site

Photo: Katie Scott Aiton

Another huge benefit of snow vacation with Club Med is the gear rental service. This is an extra cost and is optional, but many of the guests I spoke to said it saved them money transporting their gear (although I knew a couple who brought boots and rented skis). Personally, I appreciated not having to lug my bulky ski gear through the airport. The resort offers a wide range of high-quality equipment from brands such as Rossignol. The ski shop staff helped me choose the right skis based on my skill level and personal preferences, and the process was streamlined and efficient. I spent less time worrying about logistics and waiting in lines, and more time enjoying the experience.

Gear rentals are reasonably priced, especially compared to resorts in the US. For example, adult skis for a week cost from $100, and boots were $65.

Photo: Katie Scott Aiton

On arrival, you’ll need to visit the shop to get fitted for your gear. Next door, there’s a changing room with lockers. Each guest has an allocated locker yours for the duration of the stay. It makes it easy to store your gear at the end of the day, and when your vacation is done, just put it back in the locker, and staff will return it to the shop when you check out. It’s an exceptional service.

Ski or snowboard lessons are included in your package

You’ll receive your lift tickets at check in, where you can also sign up for group ski and snowboard lessons. They cater to all levels and are available for guests four and older. A lesson schedule lists staggered times for the different groups, but morning lessons generally last around three hours, while afternoons are about two hours long.

I’d highly recommend starting on day one if you are a beginner. Although you can easily spend the first day getting your bearings around the village (or using the sauna and pool), you won’t want to miss a minute with your instructor. As it was the beginning of the season, I was fortunate to have a small group. After the first morning, I left the couple from Namibia and moved on to more challenging slopes. At times, I had one-on-one instruction, which was an experience I’ll never forget. I went from being a nervous wreck on day one to a confident (and capable) skier by the end of the week.

Others experienced snowboarders and skiers I met at the resort also said they had knowledgeable guides who took them to the best areas of Tignes and Val d’Isère, based on the conditions and their skill sets.

It’s not just about snow sports, though

Photo: Katie Scott Aiton

Club Med includes wellness offerings beyond just skiing. There’s a robust range of classes. Yogis can choose from 30-minute muscle warm-up yoga class in the morning to afternoon hour-long flow sessions, while cardio buffs can enjoy spin classes or CrossFit, catered to all abilities and schedules. Overall, the gym is excellent. When I visited, it was overseen by Alexis, a twenty-something who ended up being my personal trainer in classes when the early-season crowds were on the slopes.

If you visit, be sure to download and use the Club Med app for extracurricular activities. On the app, you can see what’s scheduled when and where. And want to turn notifications on, as there’s so much going on.

Photo: Club Med

On the same level as the gym, you’ll find a beautiful pool, hammam, and outdoor hot tubs with a view over the slopes. The spa, which uses luxurious French brand Sothys, offers single treatments and a nice range of packages, including family-friendly options for those who want to pamper the kiddos.

Kids are taken care of on and off the slopes

Photo: Club Med

Photo: Katie Scott Aiton

Club Med truly shines when it comes to catering to families. Walking around the resort village, you might wonder where they all are — which is perfect for those who want to relax with a book in the main bar and sip an old fashioned. But the lack of kids isn’t because they aren’t welcome — occasionally, there were afternoon activities in the theatre, including an incredibly fun-looking inflatable bouncy castle. It’s because young ones are so busy making international friends, having a blast in lessons, playing games, and dancing in the clubhouse, that they aren’t running around the other common spaces. The kids club is split into four groups: “Petit Club Med” (for ages two to three), “Mini Club Med” (for ages four to 10), “Teens Club Med” (11 to 13 years), and “Club Med Chill Pass” (14 to 17 years). As with almost everything at Club Med Tignes, childcare is included in the cost of a stay.

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