Image: Shutterstock
With outdoor sports, waterside culture and a celebrated brewing scene, Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance is a smart choice for a short break all year round. In winter it really comes into its own - some of the most popular ski resorts in Europe are only a 60- to 90-minute transfer by coach. With British Airways morning departures from London Gatwick flying there directly, it’s possible to set off from home and be on the slopes the same day.
British Airways run flights throughout the winter season most weekends, from just £38 each way. The lowest fares can be found at ba.com/ski, with cheap deals when you book return travel and take hand baggage only. If you’ve got your own gear, skis can be included in the 23kg allowance for standard fare travel.
British Airways also offer direct flights to Geneva and Grenoble, as well as to lesser known but well-positioned destinations like Friedrichshafen - from which you can easily reach some of the most popular resorts in Europe. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites.
St. Anton
Image: Arlberger Bergbahnen AG
From Friedrichshafen: 1hr 20mins
Elevation: 1304m
St Anton am Arlberg has an excellent international reputation for Alpine skiing, especially since it hosted the 2001 Alpine Ski World Championships. With snow long into spring and a taste for gourmet dining, it’s a well- rounded resort for adrenalin kicks like tobogganing and ski mountaineering by day, and lively après-ski at night.
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Klosters
Image: Destination Davos Klosters
From Friedrichshafen: 1hr 40mins
Elevation: 1179m
Sharing its ski-perfect Alpine mountains and 300km+ of runs with nearby Davos, Klosters is a cut above the rest for winter sports. The snow is reliable throughout the season, with plenty of piste action set above 2500m. Along with daytime activities, there’s floodlit night-time skiing, cross-country and skating, plus a wide range of other distractions, like llama trekking...
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Davos
Image: Stefan Schlumpf
From Friedrichshafen: 1hr 50mins
Elevation: 1560m
The seriously good winter sport offering here draws the rich and famous crowd, right up to royalty. Boarders favour Jakobshorn, and JatzPark is perfect for freestylers. On top of the first-class skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and sledging, Davos boasts paragliding, racket sports, a wellness and water park, trekking and indoor golf.
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Seefeld
Image: Olympiaregion Seefeld
From Friedrichshafen: 2hrs 30mins
Elevation: 1180m
Just north-west of Innsbruck, Seefeld is a gem in the Tyrol. It has plenty to attract sports enthusiasts of all kinds, including cross-country ski trails, 48km of slopes, toboggan tracks, ice rinks and curling lanes, and a Nordic walking and running arena, plus indoor sports, riding, golf facilities and even a casino.
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Sölden
Image: Rudi Wyhlidal @ Bergbahnen Sölden
From Friedrichshafen: 2hrs 30mins
Elevation: 1368m
Now a prime Austrian holiday destination, Sölden has matured into one of the best modern ski escapes. It’s so good-looking, in fact, that it almost outshone Daniel Craig when key action scenes were shot here for Spectre. Sölden’s Glacier Road also features in the BMW Snow and Ice Training driving experience should you wish to test your nerve away from the slopes.
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St. Moritz
Image: swiss-image.ch/Romano Salis
From Friedrichshafen: 2hrs 40mins
Elevation: 1822m
For generations, St Moritz has been the first name in ski chic. With Winter Olympic credentials and ancient springs, it effortlessly pulls off the ultimate winter retreat, complete with a frozen lake. The Engadin St Moritz winter season focuses on three main ski areas: the rolling pistes of Corviglia, the high peak of Corvatsch and the steepest challenges at Diavolezza.
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Obergurgl
Image: Bernd Ritschel/Ötzal Tourismus
From Friedrichshafen: 3hrs
Elevation: 1930m
This Austrian skiing village in the Ötztal mountains boasts plenty of high-altitude snow. Above it, at Hochgurgl, the extensive Indoor xAlpine Golf park’s state-of-the-art simulators provide the perfect excuse to take things slow when you’ve removed your skis. Too laid-back? Try the Obergurgl Snow Park – opened just two seasons ago, it features 17 obstacles across three different lines for snowboarders and freeskiers.
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