Why Your Next Girls’ Trip Should Be to the Mountains
Beach breaks and city weekends will always have a special place in our hearts, but hear me out: what if the next girls’ trip involved mountain views, ridiculously cozy sweaters, a little adventure and drinks beside a fireplace? A mountain getaway gives you that rare combination of doing things and actually relaxing. One friend can spend the day skiing while another books herself a spa treatment and meets everyone for lunch. Add a cute chalet, good food and your favourite people, and suddenly the mountains are looking pretty hard to beat.
Actually Switch Off for a Few Days
When was the last time everyone got together without someone answering work emails, checking notifications or mentally running through her to-do list? Getting away to the mountains creates a little separation from normal life, which is kind of the whole point of a vacation. Instead of planning your day around emails and errands, you’re thinking about where to have lunch, whether you want to ski and how quickly you can get into the hot tub. Even better, 85% of adults say nature boosts their happiness, with people also reporting lower stress and more energy. Try making dinner phone-free so everyone can actually catch up without half the table disappearing into Instagram.
You Definitely Don’t Have to Be a Ski Girl
Not everyone wants to fly down a mountain at high speed, and thankfully, that’s totally fine. Mountain trips can include snowshoeing, sledging, winter walks, cable-car rides, ice skating, photography and plenty of long lunches. You can make the trip as adventurous or as cozy as you want. A women’s adventure weekend in the Cairngorms, for example, mixes hillwalking, trail running and cycling with yoga and sauna sessions. The sweet spot for a girls’ trip is usually having a few things everyone does together without requiring the entire group to follow the exact same itinerary.
The Cozy Chalet Era Is Calling
Honestly, half the appeal of a mountain trip is coming back inside after being out in the cold. Think oversized sweaters, fireside drinks, snacks everywhere, long dinners and staying up way too late talking about things you definitely could have discussed at home but somehow they’re better in a chalet. When booking accommodation, prioritize a good communal space while still making sure everyone has somewhere comfortable to sleep. A practical kitchen, enough bathrooms, boot storage and easy access to the slopes or trails might end up being much more important than the Instagrammable details.
A Ski Trip Doesn’t Have to Destroy Your Bank Account
Ski vacations have a reputation for being expensive, but there are ways to make them much more manageable. Travelling outside school holidays, looking at regional airports, sharing accommodation and considering lesser-known resorts can all help bring the price down. When comparing cheap ski holidays, look at the whole cost rather than getting excited about a suspiciously cheap flight. Factor in baggage, transfers, equipment rentals, lift passes, lessons and food before deciding which option is actually the best deal. It’s also worth agreeing on a general budget before booking. Nobody wants the girls’ trip group chat to turn into an awkward conversation about money.
Mix Adventure With a Little Main-Character Wellness
The beauty of a mountain getaway is that you can spend the morning being outdoorsy and the afternoon doing absolutely nothing—and both count as vacation activities. Ski for a few hours, then book a massage. Go for a mountain walk, then order something delicious and sit by the fire. Non-skiers can look for swimming, yoga, spas, shopping or local restaurants while everyone else hits the slopes. The best mountain holiday doesn’t need an itinerary packed from breakfast until bedtime. Pick a few things you genuinely want to experience together and leave room for everyone to do their own thing, too.
The Girls’ Mountain Trip Checklist
Before the group chat gets completely out of control, here’s a simple checklist to keep everyone on the same page:
- Pick your dates and agree on a realistic budget
- Decide whether you want ski-heavy, spa-heavy or a little of both
- Find a chalet or lodge with a cozy communal space
- Compare flights, baggage fees and airport transfers
- Check lift-pass and equipment-rental prices before booking
- Find activities for the non-skiers in the group
- Book one really good dinner
- Add at least one cozy activity: spa, sauna, hot tub or fireside drinks
- Leave some completely unscheduled time
- Pack layers, comfy clothes and shoes you can actually walk in
- Take lots of photos!
The perfect girls’ trip doesn’t need everyone doing the same thing every minute. Give yourselves a little adventure, a little wellness, plenty of good food and enough downtime to actually catch up. You might come home with sore legs and a camera roll that’s completely out of control—but hopefully also feeling refreshed, closer and already plotting the next trip.
