UK airports are planning to operate over 28,000 flights to The Alps this ski season, offering nearly 5 million seats, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm. This season shows a significant shift from traditional ski countries such as France, Switzerland, and Austria towards less common destinations in the Nordics, Northern Italy, and Eastern Europe.

March 2026 is expected to be the busiest month with 6,249 flights scheduled, allowing for over 1.1 million seats. The peak travel day will likely be February 14, coinciding with the start of the February Half Term, featuring 336 flights and over 62,000 seats. Geneva, Zurich, and Munich are projected to remain popular airports for UK travelers heading to The Alps.

easyJet is anticipated to emerge as the leading airline for these routes, trailed by British Airways, Ryanair, and Swiss. Heathrow Airport will host the majority of departures, with Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, and Luton also being significant.

Data indicates a decrease in flights to Switzerland, France, and Austria by 3.0%, 1.5%, and 5.0%, respectively. In contrast, there has been notable growth in flights to less traditional ski spots: Slovenia has seen a 63.5% rise, while flights to Poland, Northern Italy, and Nordic ski resorts have increased by 6.3%, 9.3%, and 4.8% respectively.

This shift in travel preferences illustrates a growing interest in exploring diverse ski destinations beyond the traditional Alpine retreats.