Where to fly for skiing and what to pack? A few tips and a destination map to help

Winter may prove too short to try all the European ski resorts that can be reached from Lithuanian airports. While experienced skiers debate which Alpine slopes offer the most adrenaline and enjoyment, the destination map also invites travelers who have decided to ski for the first time to discover winter activities. For them in particular, a few good tips will come in handy.

With the start of the winter aviation season, the Alps become a magnet for skiing enthusiasts. Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France open their mountain resorts. Georgia also welcomes guests, offering activities in the Caucasus Mountains, while Lithuanians fly to southern Poland because traveling to towns in the Tatra Mountains is much faster, more convenient, and shorter than going by car. Norway, still largely undiscovered by Lithuanian skiers, also invites visitors to try its cozy Nordic resorts. Thus, in winter, every traveler from Lithuania can find suitable slopes and a preferred level of comfort somewhere in Europe.

Lithuanian Airports have compiled a list of destinations with popular ski resorts that are conveniently accessible from major city airports, which are regularly served from Lithuania by airlines such as airBaltic, Austrian Airlines, Norwegian, Ryanair, SWISS, and Wizz Air. Meanwhile, travelers who enjoy skiing have shared practical tips that will be useful for those planning such holidays for the first time.

Most travelers say it is advisable to rent ski equipment at the resort—local specialists will help select the best gear according to a person’s weight and height. Rental points offer all essential equipment: skis or a snowboard, poles, boots, and a helmet. Special attention should be paid to ski boots: they must ensure maximum comfort—neither too loose nor too tight. Boots should create a unified feel with the equipment; otherwise, controlling movements and mastering technique will be difficult. If after the first day the equipment feels uncomfortable, rental shops usually replace it with a more suitable option at no extra charge.

Clothing is just as important. When skiing, it is recommended to dress in layers so that body temperature can be easily regulated by removing a top layer if needed. The first layer consists of thermal underwear worn next to the body (a long-sleeved top and leggings). The second layer is fleece (a warm, lightweight synthetic sweater or hoodie). Special ski socks, long enough to reach the knees, are also essential. Outerwear (a jacket and trousers) must be waterproof, windproof, and allow free movement. Be sure to pack comfortable, waterproof gloves, a balaclava or hat, and neck protection, as well as sun protection: ski goggles with shatterproof lenses, face cream, and lip balm with a high SPF.

To protect the body from impacts, it is worth using special protective gear for the wrists, knees, and hips. These should be comfortable and not restrict movement. Although protective gear can often be rented together with equipment, for maximum comfort and a better fit it is recommended to purchase personal protective gear in advance and pack it in your suitcase. Instructors warn that after the first days of skiing, be prepared for significant muscle soreness. Magnesium supplements are recommended to help relax muscles and reduce discomfort. Do not forget to bring a swimsuit and flip-flops, as swimming pools and saunas operate in most resorts—helping you relax and recover.

Preparing for a winter holiday is simple. Once you know what to pack, all that remains is to explore resorts and choose a flight. Milan, reachable by direct flights from Vilnius and Kaunas in under three hours, opens the gateway to a skiing classic—the Italian Alps. Just an hour and a half from the city lies Piani di Bobbio, a cozy resort ideal for first descents. For a wider choice of slopes, it is worth traveling a bit further toward the Swiss border—there, at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif, a resort connecting three ski areas offers a broad range of runs and spectacular mountain views, including the 4,634-meter Dufourspitze.

Travel guides remind that in February 2026 Milan and its surroundings will be immersed in the spirit of the Olympic Games. This major event will attract large numbers of visitors and may affect typical ski holiday plans. Travel experts therefore note that accommodation demand in nearby mountain resorts, such as Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites, will be higher, along with prices. It is advised to book accommodation, ski passes, and equipment in advance. Traffic intensity and congestion in Milan and near Olympic venues are also expected to increase. On the other hand, the Olympic Games provide a unique opportunity to combine skiing with world-class sporting events and cultural activities.

Another strategically excellent starting point for Italian winter holidays is Turin, which hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2006. One of the most convenient and closest ski destinations is the resort of Bardonecchia, reachable in just an hour and a half by car, as well as easily accessible by direct train. Traveling a bit further west from Turin leads to the well-known resorts of Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx, which are part of the famous Via Lattea ski area and offer more than 400 kilometers of interconnected slopes.

Another former Winter Olympic host city, Grenoble (1968), is also reachable by direct flight from Vilnius. The French call it the capital of the Alps. Grenoble is the largest city located in the Alpine region and is surrounded by three mountain massifs, making ski resorts exceptionally easy to reach. In less than an hour, travelers can get to resorts such as Chamrousse and Les Sept Laux, which offer modern lifts and a wide selection of slopes. Due to their proximity and accessibility, this region is especially suitable for first-time skiers who want to stay close to a major city.

Zurich is another large city, this time in Switzerland. It offers rich urban experiences and serves as a convenient gateway for skiers traveling to modern Swiss resorts that aim to set high standards and attract an elite clientele. Just an hour northeast of Zurich lies the Flumserberg resort, which offers many slopes well suited for beginners. To the southeast is the famous Davos resort, known for its high Alpine peaks and spectacular scenery, and easily reachable by direct train from Zurich. Younger travelers are particularly drawn to Laax, which is renowned for its snow parks and snowboard-friendly slopes.

Austria’s capital Vienna is just a two-hour direct flight from Vilnius. In winter, the city, scented with coffee and strudel, attracts tourists not only to Christmas markets but also to skiing opportunities. Just an hour and a half away by car or train are popular resorts such as Semmering Hirschenkogel and Stuhleck. Entire winter sports complexes offer a variety of slopes, night skiing options, and even dedicated toboggan runs.

Many visitors arrive at Austrian ski resorts via Munich. This southern German city in Bavaria is easily accessible from Vilnius by direct flight. Munich lies only about one to two hours by car or bus from many ski resorts, some of which are located in neighboring Austria. Both locals and visitors make convenient use of special daily ski buses that can take them, for example, to the SkiWelt area—going in the morning and returning to the city in the evening. Munich offers a wide range of hotels, restaurants, and services, making the combination of city life and mountain skiing particularly appealing. Popular nearby resorts include the German resorts of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberstdorf, and Mittenwald, as well as the Austrian resorts of Kitzbühel and the SkiWelt network in the Kaiser-Brixental region.

Poland, increasingly popular among Lithuanian travelers, is also very active in winter. Direct flights to Kraków open not only the treasures of this historic royal city but also routes onward to the Tatra Mountains, the highest part of the Carpathians. Travelers who have already flown from Vilnius say that the areas around Zakopane, south of Kraków, can be a true winter discovery. Resorts such as Białka Tatrzańska, Jurgów, and other nearby towns offer convenient skiing infrastructure and family-friendly options.

Georgia always welcomes visitors from Lithuania with exceptional hospitality. A flight to Kutaisi marks the beginning of the holiday, and within a couple of hours travelers can reach Bakuriani—a modernized resort with many green and blue slopes, ideal for beginners and families. Those seeking to avoid crowds can travel deeper into the mountains to Goderdzi, a quiet, locally favored resort where natural snow and mountain silence create an authentic Caucasian winter experience.

In winter, Norway looks like a postcard from a fairy tale, where snow falls silently and mountains feel incredibly close. A flight to Oslo and a few hours of travel bring visitors to Trysil or Hemsedal—majestic resorts with excellent slopes and exemplary infrastructure. Everything here is well thought out, from modern lifts to cozy mountain cabins where hot chocolate steams after a day on the slopes. Just two hours by train from the capital lies Lillehammer, the northernmost city ever to host the Olympic Games, a name remembered not only by sports fans but also by lovers of crime TV series.

Those who choose to fly from Lithuania to Bergen are usually travelers for whom mountains are not only about sport but also about a symphony of nature. From Bergen, it takes about two hours to reach Voss, a small yet charming resort where snow meets the mist of fjords. Thus, the Norwegian dilemma emerges: Bergen offers more poetic landscapes, tranquility, and natural beauty, while Oslo is more convenient for those seeking professional skiing, speed, and adrenaline.