The Whiteout Ski Podcast

Beyond The Basics with Crystal Ski Holidays - Pt 4 - Behind the Scenes at Crystal

• Season 5 • Episode 82

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0:00 | 30:40

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The human side of Crystal — insight, passion, expertise and the decisions customers don’t usually see.

This Episode was recorded around four core questions:

  • What are your hidden gems?
  • What do you wish more customers knew?
  • Where’s the best value without compromise?
  • What shouldn’t customers miss this winter?

2. Hidden gems – Crystal team favourites

Crystal colleagues share the resorts they genuinely love and return to.  Resorts offering: Better value, Fewer crowds, Access to big ski areas, More character and authenticity

  • Brides-les-Bains – Three Valleys access with spa-town value and calm evenings
  • Châtel – Authentic Savoyard village with tree-lined skiing and family appeal
  • Montalbert – Quiet, charming base with easy access to La Plagne
  • Vaujany – Peaceful village with fast links into Alpe d’Huez terrain
  • Leogang – Small, quiet base plugged into a huge Austrian ski area
  • Galtür – Traditional Tyrolean charm with access to the wider Silvretta area
  • Serfaus–Fiss–Ladis – One of Austria’s strongest family ski regions
  • Folgarida – Relaxed base with access to the Campiglio ski area
  • Santa Cristina (Val Gardena) – Authentic village in the heart of Dolomiti Superski
  • Pila – Quiet, family-friendly skiing with easy access and good snow reliability

Key message:

  • These resorts often deliver big-area skiing without the big-area stress

3. Satellite resorts – the smart choices Crystal loves

What a satellite resort is: Just outside headline resorts, Same lift system, same terrain.

Why Crystal advisers recommend them:

  • Better prices
  • Shorter queues
  • Easier availability
  • More relaxed atmosphere
  • Crystal insight:
    • “People book the name, but miss the value next door”

4. Best value without compromise

Andorra consistently rated highly by Crystal staff

Why: Extensive terrain, Modern lift systems, Excellent ski schools, Good food and après, Straightforward logistics - It’s smart, smooth, high-quality skiing

5. What Crystal wishes more customers knew

Don’t dismiss lower-altitude resorts:

  • Often closer to airports
  • Better value
  • Great for families
  • Well-linked to major ski domains
  • Example:
    • Morzine base → Avoriaz → Portes du Soleil access
  • Reassurance:
    • Crystal’s Snow Promise
    • Customer-first approach if conditions aren’t right

6. Expert knowledge – rapid-fire insights

Things Crystal advisers want skiers to hear more often:

  • “Book earlier than you think.”
  • “Satellite resorts are game-changing.”
  • “Transfers matter more than people realise.”
  • “Don’t rule out lesser-known resorts.”
  • “Ask us questions — that’s what we’re here for.”

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To contact us with your suggestions for further episodes at dom@InTheSnow.com / robert@ski-press.com

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Dom Killinger

Host
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Rob Stewart

Host

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