With 2024 having the lowest number of bank holidays since 2020, we've worked out how you can make the most of your annual leave next year. Being strategic about how you take time off means you can get that work life balance in check. Keep reading to find out which days to take off, and how taking time off can have health benefits too.

Maximising your annual leave in 2024

If you work full-time, you'll usually have at least 28 days of paid annual leave each year.

Here’s how you can turn 25 days of your annual leave into a total of 55 days off (including weekends):

January: Saturday 30 December 2023 to Sunday 7 January 2024

Extend your New Year celebrations by booking four days off at the start of the year for a total of nine days off.

Easter: Saturday 23 March to Sunday 7 April

With Good Friday falling on the 29 March next year, you can enjoy a long Easter break of 16 days by only booking eight days off.

May: Saturday 4 May to Sunday 12 May or Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June

Thanks to the two bank holidays in May, there are two ways for you to enjoy nine days off in a row by only using four days of annual leave.

August: Saturday 24 August 2024 to Sunday 1 September

You can book four days off in August to gain nine days off for a summer holiday.

December: Saturday 21 December to Tuesday 1 January 2025

To end the year and enjoy the festive period with family and friends, you can book five days off to gain a total of 12 days off.

The top health benefits of taking time off, from our wellbeing experts

1. Helps to avoid burnout

A work life balance can sometimes be difficult to manage, but taking time off is key to switching off and avoiding burnout.

Holistic Nutritionist Simone Venner suggests, “If you’re looking to fully unwind, a longer break would be ideal. But even a single day off can help relieve stress, if it allows for a complete break from work-related responsibilities.”

Simone recommends, “Opt for a Monday or a Friday off to create a long weekend and maximise the time you spend away from your desk! Striking a balance between longer holidays and periodic shorter breaks is a great way to recharge and avoid burnout.”

2. Reduce stress and improve your sleep quality

According to Wellbeing Coach Lorna Wilkins, the stress-relieving effects of a holiday can have a very positive impact on your overall wellbeing. “One of the key health benefits of going on holiday is that it reduces stress,” she says. “Having a break from your daily routine can make you feel more relaxed and therefore improve your mental wellbeing.”

“A change of environment and getting away from the pressures of day-to-day life can help you clear your mind and can also help to improve your sleep quality as you’ll be feeling more relaxed.”

3. Boost creativity and motivation

Lorna says: “Disconnecting helps you to be present in the moment. You’ll even find that taking a break can improve your work. Time away from your usual environment can boost creativity, so when you get back to work you feel more motivated and inspired.”

4. Combat seasonal affective disorder

A change in scenery can give your mind a world of benefits, but the winter months can be a tough time of year. Lorna comments on chasing the winter sun, “By going away to sunny and warm climates during the winter, it can boost your levels of vitamin D. This can be important for bone health, immunity and mood regulation. And if you have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this can make a huge difference. Sunlight can help with symptoms of depression that are associated with the dark winter months.”

If you're planning to maximise your annual leave in 2024, you could transform 25 days into 55. For those heading off on a winter sun holiday, don't forget to pack your travel insurance so nothing gets in the way of relaxing on your time off.

With thousands of ski resorts scattered across the world, the choice of where to spend your winter holiday can be a daunting one. Our latest research into the world's finest ski destinations is here to help.

To find out the best ski resorts around the world, we looked at 30 popular locations based on factors like average snowfall, visitor reviews, number of ski runs, and average costs. We’ve even broken down our Global Ski Resort Index into categories. Whether you’re a snow seeker on a budget or a beginner to the world of winter sports, we’ll help you find the best mountain destination to meet your needs.

We’ve also shared some top tips for taking out winter sports travel insurance, to make sure you’re covered for your next snowy getaway.

The top 10 ski resorts in the world

From huge bustling resorts to charming Alpine villages, our list of the world’s top ski resorts offers something for everyone.

1. Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, Canada

Whistler Blackcomb in Canada is crowned the number one ski resort in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. With a staggering annual average snowfall of 1,181 centimetres (that’s nearly 40 feet), visitors should be treated to a white, powdery paradise every time they step onto the slopes.

As well as lots of snow, this Canadian resort — which is the largest in North America — also offers an impressive 234 ski runs. This is more than any other resort we looked at, and means skiers of all levels will find something to enjoy here.

In the peak season, a hotel room costs £225.50 per night on average, and an adult's day ski pass comes to £81.27. For anyone looking for an unparalleled skiing experience, this investment is well worth it.

2. Claviere Ski Resort, Italy

Claviere Ski Resort in Italy claims the second spot in our ranking, thanks to its affordability and impressive visitor review score of 4.7 out of 5. During the peak season, visitors can book a hotel room for a budget-friendly average of £103.50 per night, and an adult's day ski pass won't break the bank at just £38.03.

On top of affordability, Claviere also offers a more relaxed and peaceful experience. Nestled in a small and traditional village, it’s a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of larger, more crowded ski destinations.

It’s a fairly small resort with just 40 ski runs available, but the quiet slopes mean you won't be waiting in long lift lines or weaving your way down crowded pistes.

3. Sunshine Village Ski Resort, Canada

Located just a short distance from Banff, Sunshine Village is the perfect place to experience the best of winter in the Canadian Rockies. It sees an average annual snowfall of 1,100 centimetres (36 feet), across 3,300 acres of terrain on three majestic mountains. And with 145 ski runs to explore, Sunshine Village caters to all levels of experience and preferences.

A hotel stay here averages £108 per night, while an adult day ski pass comes at a price of £101.74. If you value a rich skiing experience paired with breathtaking mountain scenery, these costs are worth the money.

The top 5 ski resorts for families

Looking for the perfect snow-filled destination for your next family holiday? We’ve revealed the top five ski resorts for families, based on things like the amount of beginner and intermediate runs, number of family-friendly hotels and average cost of children’s ski lessons.

Four of the best ski resorts for families are located in France: Flaine, La Plagne, Val Thorens and Morzine.

Flaine Ski Resort ranks at the top of the list for families, offering a huge range of 417 family-friendly ski hotels to choose from. Flaine has the perfect blend of gentle learning slopes (14% green) and slightly more challenging runs (44% blue), making it a great choice for progressing skiers.

A child’s ski pass is just £36.80, with ski lessons available at an average cost of £47.54 per hour. This means kids have the opportunity to learn and grow on the slopes while parents hit the trails themselves.

La Plagne Ski Resort comes in second, with 397 family-friendly hotels available and 55% of runs classed as intermediate. This is followed by Val Thorens and Morzine in France, and Arinsal Ski Resort in Andorra.

Whichever resort you choose for your next family skiing trip, don’t forget to compare family travel insurance deals to find the best cover for you and your loved ones. You should also add winter sports cover to your insurance, as activities like skiing aren’t usually covered by standard travel insurance.

The top 5 ski resorts for beginners

If you're new to skiing, it's important to choose a ski resort that's beginner-friendly — you don’t want to end up hurtling down a black run on your very first day on the slopes. This means finding a resort with plenty of beginner runs, as well as affordable ski lessons. Whether you're a complete beginner or you're just looking to brush up on your skills, these resorts are the perfect place to start.

With a good balance of beginner runs and affordable lessons, Borovets in Bulgaria is the best ski resort for new and less experienced skiers. Just under a third (29%) of its pistes are green beginner slopes, and the average cost of an adult ski lesson is £44.08 per hour.

Trysil in Norway comes in second place, with the highest proportion of beginner runs on the list (35%). Arinsal in Andorra places third, followed by Red Mountain in Canada and Cranmore in the USA.

The top 5 ski resorts for experienced skiers

Prepare to push your skills to the limit with our ranking of the ultimate ski resorts for experienced skiers. We've looked at things like the number of advanced and expert runs to help you find the perfect destination to test your abilities.

Cervinia in Italy and Zermatt in Switzerland rank as the joint best resorts for experienced skiers. Both resorts offer challenging and diverse terrain, including plenty of advanced and expert runs.

With over half (56%) of runs graded red and 12% graded black, Cervinia has something to offer even the most advanced skiers. The resort's terrain is also very varied, with everything from wide open slopes to narrow, winding trails. And, of course, no visit to Cervinia would be complete without tackling the resort's 20km run.

Meanwhile, Zermatt offers 57% red slopes and 10% black, as well as a 15km run to tackle.

The top 5 ski resorts for non-skiers

Even if you don't ski, there's no reason to miss out on all the fun of a winter holiday. There are plenty of mountain resorts that offer activities for non-skiers, from scenic hikes to spa treatments and fine dining.

We’ve revealed the top five ski resorts for non-skiers, based on metrics like the number of hotels with a spa, number of hikes, and number of restaurants.

Our research shows Austria’s St. Anton resort is the best for non-skiers who still want to enjoy the benefits of a winter getaway in the mountains. With the highest number of hotels with a spa (502), plenty of hikes to enjoy (420), and a good variety of restaurants (136), there's something for everyone in St. Anton.

On top of that, St. Anton also offers a variety of other things to keep non-skiers entertained, including ice skating and tobogganing. A winter sports add-on to your travel insurance could cover you for these activities.

Zermatt in Switzerland ranks in second place, offering plenty of spas (65) and hikes (371), as well as nearly double the number of restaurants (257). Morzine resort in France follows in third, with Niederau, Austria and Sunshine Village, Canada rounding out the top five.

The most affordable ski resorts

As fun as skiing holidays can be, costs can add up quickly when you think about things like the price of daily ski passes and lessons. To help you plan your perfect getaway without going over budget, we’ve revealed the most affordable ski resorts around the world. 

The most budget-friendly resort on our list is Szymoszkowa in Poland. Hotel rooms here cost just £76.50 per night on average, and ski passes come in at a reasonable £32.17 per day for adults and £19.95 for children. Szymoszkowa also offers the cheapest ski lessons on the list, at an average cost of only £28.57 per hour for both adults and children.

In second place is Borovets in Bulgaria, where ski lessons are slightly more expensive (£44.09 per hour on average), but day ski passes are a cheaper £26.76 for adults and £15.52 for children.

This is followed by Arinsal, Andorra; Bardonecchia, Italy; and Claviere, Italy.

Tips for taking out winter sports insurance

If you’re planning a skiing trip — or one that involves any other kind of winter sport or activity — you’ll need to add winter sports insurance to your travel insurance policy.

There’s lots that can happen out on the slopes, so it’s important you have the right level of cover to protect you from anything unexpected. We’ve put together some top tips to make sure you choose the right winter sports cover for your trip.

1. Check which activities are covered

A winter sports add-on usually covers you for popular sports like on-piste skiing and snowboarding, as well as other activities such as:

• Outdoor Ice-skating
• Glacier skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Guided cross-country skiing
• Tobogganing
• Sleigh pulled by reindeer (with an organised, experienced driver)

It’s important to make sure that the policy you choose specifically covers all of the activities you intend to take part in while on holiday.

2. Know what your cover includes

It’s also important to know exactly what is included in the winter sports policy you choose. Cover usually includes:

• Medical emergencies, e.g. accidents on the slope
• Lost, damaged or stolen equipment (personal or hired)
• Piste closures
• Transportation and accommodation in the event of an avalanche or landslide

3. Think about the cost

Winter sports insurance costs vary depending on things like your age, destination, trip length, and pre-existing medical conditions.

• Age: As you get older, you may become more likely to need medical help on holiday, which increases the cost of insurance
• Destination: Insurance is more expensive for trips to countries with more expensive healthcare systems. It’s also more expensive the further away from home you travel, as it would cost more to fly you back if needed
• Trip length: Going on a long trip (e.g. three weeks or more) means you’ll have more chance of needing medical help, so insurance may cost more
• Pre-existing medical conditions: If you have any pre-existing medical conditions this may increase the cost of insurance, as you’re more likely to need medical help while abroad

Make sure to let us know all relevant information about you and your trip, so you can find the right cover for your needs.

How to stay safe on a ski holiday

Although the right winter sports travel insurance will cover you for medical emergencies, it’s still important to stay safe on the slopes. To help protect you from accidents and emergencies, we’ve pulled together some safety tips for your next winter getaway. 

Know your limits

Always ski within your skill level and don't attempt slopes or terrains that are beyond your expertise. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to accidents and injuries. You should also make sure to warm up with some easier runs before tackling more challenging routes.

Wear the right equipment

Make sure to invest in quality ski gear, including a helmet and goggles. Helmets can greatly reduce the risk of head injuries, and there are some parts of the world (such as Nova Scotia, Canada) where you’re legally required to wear one.

Goggles protect your eyes from harsh mountain elements and help improve visibility, especially during snowy or windy conditions.

Stay hydrated and protected from the sun

High altitudes and cold temperatures can lead to dehydration, so make sure to drink plenty of water to stay properly hydrated. You should also apply sun cream with a high SPF to protect your skin from the strong mountain sun, and don't forget to wear lip balm with sunblock to prevent chapped lips.

Follow the rules of the mountain

Always follow the rules and guidelines of the ski resort you're visiting, as these are in place to keep everyone safe. Typical rules include respecting right of way on the slopes, being aware of other skiers and snowboarders around you, and stopping in designated areas to keep trails clear.

Be avalanche aware

If you're skiing in an area prone to avalanches, take an avalanche safety course before your trip. Learn to spot the danger signs, carry essential safety equipment like a beacon, shovel, and probe, and ski with a group if possible. Always check the avalanche forecast for your location and follow any closures or warnings.

Methodology

We collected a list of over 1,800 ski resorts worldwide using listicle articles and blogs. We then looked at the Google search volumes in the UK to find the top 35 most in demand resorts. Using this list, we created the Global Ski Resort Index ranking each location across 20 metrics to reveal the world’s best ski resorts for different types of ski holidays.

General metrics included:

• Visitor review score (out of 5)
• Average annual snowfall (cm)
• Number of ski runs
• Average cost of a hotel room per night in peak season
• Price of a day ski pass (1 adult)

The best ski resorts for families

• % of beginner runs/tracks (Green)
• % of intermediate runs/tracks (Blue)
• Price of a day ski pass (1 child)
• Number of family friendly ski accommodation
• Hourly price of ski lessons (1 child, under 13)

The best ski resorts for beginners

• % of beginner runs/tracks (Green)
• Hourly price of ski lessons (1 adult 16+)

The best ski resorts for advanced skiers

• % of advanced runs/tracks (red)
• % of expert runs/tracks (black)
• Longest run length (KM)

The best ski resorts for non-skiers

• Visitor review score (out of 5)
• Average hotel cost per night (1 room, peak season)
• Number of hotels with spa
• Number of hikes (within 3 miles away from the resort)
• Number of restaurants

The most affordable ski resorts

• Average hotel cost per night (1 room, peak season)
• Price of a day ski pass (1 adult)
• Price of a day ski pass (1 child, under 13)
• Av. hourly price of ski lessons (1 child)
• Av. hourly price of ski lessons (1 adult)

* Currency converted to GBP as of 16 October 2023.

There can be a lot to think about when you're comparing travel insurance. From what type of policy to buy to what level of medical cover you'll need. The cheapest policy isn't always the best fit for your needs, so it's important to find the right cover for your trip.

In this guide you'll find out what your travel insurance should cover and the differences between annual and single trip policies.

What should your travel policy cover?

Not all travel insurance policies are built the same. There are usually options to add extra cover for things like cruises or winter sports, and some will be able to offer more medical cover than others. But most will include cover for:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Getting you home (repatriation)
• Travel delays
• Lost/stolen baggage
• Lost/stolen money and passport

That's why it's important to check the policy limits you’ve chosen and read your policy and product document before you buy your travel insurance to get the best cover to suit you.

What type of travel insurance do I need?

When it comes to travel insurance, you should think about the trips you’re taking:

• How long you’re going away for
• Any medical conditions that you’ll need to tell us about
• How old everybody is in your travel party
• Type of trip - whether you’re taking part in any special activities like winter sports, jet skiing etc
• How many trips you're planning to take in a year.

Knowing the answers to these questions will help when choosing whether to take out a single trip or annual multi-trip policy.

What is annual travel insurance?

Some of the benefits of annual travel insurance include:

• You'll get cover for several trips over a year. If you're taking more than one holiday, it means you don't need to sort out a new policy every trip.
• It's usually better value. This will depend on your age and where you're going, but you'll often find it's cheaper to cover more than one holiday with an annual policy than several new single trip policies.
• Cover for UK holidays and staycations. You'll have a whole year's worth of trips covered with an annual policy, so you could get cover if you need to cancel a weekend break.

Some of the drawbacks can be:

• You'll pay more upfront for annual travel insurance because you're covering lots of trips under one policy.
• Your cover depends on where you're going. Annual travel insurance is split into different regions, so if you have cover for Europe, you won't be covered for USA trips.
• There's a limit to how many days you can be away per trip. So it won't cover you for a three month travelling trip.

What is single trip travel insurance?

Some of the benefits of single trip travel insurance include:

• They are usually cheaper if you only plan on taking one trip in a year. This means you won't pay for cover that you won't be using.
• More flexibility as you can take longer trips on a single trip policy.
• Taking out a policy in advance. Most single trip policies can cover you up to 18 months before you travel, so you'll be covered for cancellations before you go on holiday.

Some of the drawbacks can be:

• You need a new policy each time you travel abroad, which can be a hassle to sort if you travel a lot.
• More policies mean you'll usually pay more for individual cover.

What else do I need to think about?

When choosing the right policy for you, there are other things to think about such as:

Medical cover for pre-existing conditions

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to medical conditions, so standard travel policies won’t cover them. But telling us about your medical conditions when you take out your policy means that you’ll get the right cover to suit your needs. If you don’t, then you run the risk of a claim being rejected (whether it’s related to your condition or not).

This includes any conditions you’ve had in the past 2 years where you’ve:

• Had treatment
• Been prescribed or are currently taking medication
• Had any consultations, investigations or check-ups

Even if it’s a condition that’s well-managed, you should still tell us about these.

If you’ve ever been treated for:

• High blood pressure, raised cholesterol, blood clots, aneurysm or any circulatory disease
• Heart attack, angina, chest pain(s) or any other heart condition
• Any form of stroke, transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke) or brain haemorrhage

You’ll always need to tell us about these when taking out your medical travel insurance.

Cruise cover

If you’re going on a cruise, you’ll want to make sure you add cruise cover to your travel insurance policy. This will cover you for things that might only happen on a cruise ship, such as missed ports, cabin confinement and unused excursions.

If you take out a single trip policy with cruise cover, then you’ll need to tell us about every country you’ll be stopping at.

For annual policies, you’ll need to check that you added cruise cover when you took out your policy. It will need to cover all destinations you’re planning on stopping at - even if you’re not getting off the ship.

Winter sports cover

Adding winter sports cover to your travel policy means you’ll be protected when you hit the slopes. It might surprise you that, apart from popular sports such as skiing and snowboarding, you’ll also need cover for activities such as:

• Outdoor ice-skating
• Tobogganing
• Reindeer sleigh rides

So make sure winter sports are included in your travel policy or add it as an optional extra. Before you buy, check for any age restrictions from your provider, as not all travel insurance providers will offer winter sports cover to those over 65. This way you're covered if things don't go as planned on your next winter adventure.

Picking the right travel insurance takes some thought. But by comparing travel insurance quotes at PayingTooMuch, you can find a great value policy that works best for you.

By Mikaela Bartlett

Mikaela Bartlett is SEO Editor at PayingTooMuch. She loves to explore places off the beaten path and sharing tips to make travel as easy and stress-free as possible.