This article originally
appeared in the September issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
Today’s winter travelers want more than a lift ticket. They
want culture, wellness, adventure, and, above all, ease — the exact combination
that makes Club Med’s all-inclusive mountain resorts such a natural fit for the
modern ski vacation.
"We are seeing travelers approach winter vacations with
many of the same priorities that shape leisure travel more broadly, including
ease, convenience and experiences that work for every member of the
group," said Nicolas C. Cutter, chief of village for Club Med Quebec
Charlevoix. "We are seeing increased interest in winter trips that extend
beyond the slopes, with travelers seeking more of a well-rounded mountain
vacation experience that includes wellness, cultural immersion, nature and more
opportunities to spend time together."
A Global Winter Portfolio
Club Med’s bundling of experiences under one fixed cost is
especially attractive to families and first-time skiers, who might otherwise
arrange and pay separately for lift tickets, lessons, childcare and dining on
top of accommodations, Cutter notes.
Club Med operates approximately 20 mountain resorts
worldwide, with several properties that appeal directly to North American
travelers.
"Club Med Quebec Charlevoix is our flagship North
American mountain resort and offers an accessible introduction to the Club Med
ski experience, with ski-in, ski out access; group lessons; lift passes;
all-inclusive food and beverage; and a wide selection of activities,"
Cutter said.
He sees Charlevoix continuing to gain popularity with North
American travelers, in part because it isn’t just a winter destination.
"Canada’s only all-inclusive four-season mountain
resort, Club Med Quebec Charlevoix is uniquely positioned to gain even more
momentum this winter and beyond as the top choice for North American travelers
year-round, thanks to its versatile resort experience throughout all four
seasons," Cutter said.
There’s also a new Quebec resort on the horizon: Club Med
Tremblant is scheduled to open in winter 2028, expanding the brand’s North
American ski footprint with a premium all-inclusive mountain experience.
Inspired by a contemporary Alpine chalet, Club Med Tremblant is set to merge
playful charm with an inviting atmosphere, reflecting the warm, welcoming
environment that’s synonymous with Club Med.
In Europe, meanwhile, Club Med properties including Val
d’Isere, Tignes, Val Thorens Sensations, Alpe d’Huez and Grand Massif Samoens
Morillon provide access to some of the French Alps’ most celebrated ski
destinations.
And in Japan — a destination that continues to trend with
winter travelers — Club Med’s Kiroro Peak, Kiroro Grand and Tomamu Hokkaido
resorts offer guests access to Hokkaido’s renowned powder snow within the
brand’s signature all-inclusive format.
The Club Med Ski Experience
Club Med’s all-inclusive ski offering attracts a broad
clientele, according to Cutter. "Club Med’s mountain resorts are a natural
draw for families due to the ease of the ski vacation experience," he
said, noting strong potential among multi-generational groups with mixed skill
levels, since everyone can follow their own itinerary during the day and
reconnect afterward for aperitifs and dinner. "Families and first-time
skiers will especially appreciate the approachability of Club Med Quebec
Charlevoix, thanks to the destination’s proximity to the U.S. and its all-inclusive
offering."
Couples and adult friend groups would be best suited for
resorts such as Club Med Tignes, he adds, which features a more sophisticated
atmosphere in its Exclusive Collection spaces.
Simplifying the Ski Vacation
Differentiating the Club Med model from a traditional ski
vacation is central for travel advisors selling the experience to clients,
Cutter advises.
"The biggest distinction is how much of the ski
vacation is brought together in advance," he said.
Accommodations, food and beverage, lift passes and group ski
or snowboard lessons are included in the experience at participating mountain
resorts, for example, he notes, while many properties also offer ski-in,
ski-out access, children’s programming, entertainment, fitness and additional
winter activities.
"That structure removes many of the logistical and
financial surprises associated with planning a traditional ski trip,"
Cutter said. "Guests do not have to build the vacation one component at a
time, and families are not required to coordinate separate arrangements for
adults and children. It allows travelers to focus more on the experience and
less on managing the trip."
Beyond the Slopes
But it’s not all about skiing when booking a winter mountain
vacation. These days, travelers are looking beyond the slopes to a variety of
activities.
"While skiing may be the main reason for the trip,
travelers do increasingly want a destination that can deliver a complete winter
experience," Cutter said.
One of the biggest advantages of a Club Med mountain resort
is the versatility of programming. Skiing is a highlight, of course, but
non-skiers and powder hounds alike can also enjoy a multitude of activities,
from snowshoeing, yoga and indoor swimming to spa treatments and cultural
excursions. Or, they can simply take in the mountain scenery and resort
atmosphere.
Additionally, this format provides families with natural
opportunities to reconnect in the evening after a day of fun activities.
"At Club Med, everyone can enjoy days at their own pace
without turning the trip into a series of separate vacations," Cutter
said.
Booking Your Clients
Travel advisors considering Club Med as a winter vacation
option for clients can take advantage of several tools to learn the ins and
outs of booking these all-inclusive experiences.
"Club Med makes the experience easier to understand,
plan and enjoy," Cutter said. "A first-time ski traveler may not know
which lift pass to purchase, what type of lesson to book, how to coordinate
children’s programming or how much to budget for meals and daily activities.
Club Med removes much of that uncertainty by bringing the essential elements of
the trip into one cohesive experience."
Travel advisors can highlight this peace of mind, especially
to clients who might otherwise decide a ski vacation is too complicated.
"Advisors can present the client with a complete
experience rather than a long list of separate reservations and added
costs," Cutter said.
Club Med provides travel advisors with a dedicated Club Med
Travel Agent portal and a regularly updated marketing toolbox, through which
agents can access materials such as webinars, resort imagery, flyers and other
resources designed to support client education and sales.
A Value Opportunity
For advisors, Club Med’s winter mountain offering remains
underestimated — and that’s exactly where the opportunity lies for advisors.
Many North American travelers, particularly families, automatically assume an
international ski trip will cost more and require more planning than a domestic
one.
Once clients compare the full value of an all-inclusive Club
Med vacation to the true cost of piecing together a domestic ski trip, the math
tells a different story. For advisors, that comparison is the story worth
telling this winter.
A Guide to Club Med Mountain Resorts
First-time skiers from North America will find Club Med
Quebec Charlevoix is an excellent starting point, as it provides a
comprehensive ski experience closer to home. Club Med Grand Massif Samoens
Morillon and Club Med Serre-Chevalier are also strong options, as they feature
terrain suited to a range of abilities, as well as activities beyond skiing.
For families with young children, Club Med Quebec
Charlevoix, Club Med Valmorel, Club Med Grand Massif Samoens Morillon and Club
Med Kiroro Grand offer family-oriented accommodations, children’s programming
and ski experiences designed for different ages and skill levels.
Experienced skiers will love Club Med Val Thorens
Sensations, Club Med Tignes and Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido for their access to
extensive terrain, high-altitude skiing, powder and opportunities for more
advanced or off-piste slopes. In fact, Tignes-Val d’Isere is one of the largest
ski areas in the world.
For travelers seeking a more elevated vacation, Club Med Val
d’Isere and Club Med Kiroro Peak are among the strongest recommendations. These
resorts are part of the Club Med Exclusive Collection and combine an elevated
atmosphere and accommodations with convenient access to the slopes and the
broader all-inclusive experience.
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