The Erna Low Blog

Marriage doesn't invalidate your passport, but a name mismatch with your booking can cause costly problems at check-in. Here are five essential checks for newlyweds before the honeymoon: whether to update your passport, how post-dated applications work, current fees and processing times, and which visas, insurance and hotel bookings must match. Prepare now, avoid delays later.

Most travel insurance claims fail on small details rather than dramatic events. This guide covers six common mistakes that can leave you uncovered: undeclared medical conditions, higher-risk activities, unattended valuables, late theft reporting, alcohol-related incidents and buying your policy too late, plus what to check in your wording before you travel.

Planning a holiday should be exciting, not full of unwelcome surprises. Hidden travel fees such as seat selection, luggage charges, airport transfers and tourist taxes can add £150 or more per person to what initially looked like a great deal. The good news is that most of these costs are avoidable with a little preparation.

Are you coming home more exhausted than you left? The 2-2-3 rule that stops multi-destination trips feeling exhausting, according to a travel expert.

Discover the seven most common car hire traps, from fuel policies to cross-border fees, and how to avoid costly mistakes on your next holiday

While planning a holiday abroad should be exciting for millions of Brits who travel every year, it’s important to stay cautious when making payments. In 2024, UK travellers lost over £11 million to holiday booking fraud, often believing they were paying for legitimate travel services. Fortunately, most travel scams follow recognisable patterns, meaning they can be much easier to avoid once you know the warning signs.

Planning a ski trip? Our travel expert shares five simple ways to save hundreds on your ski holiday, from choosing the right resort to cutting equipment costs.

Don’t let unexpected ski laws ruin your next holiday. In this blog, we explore five little-known mountain laws in the Alps that could lead to costly, unexpected fines. Our experts highlight key regulations every skier should know before travelling, helping you stay safe, respectful and stress-free while enjoying your trip.

With Milano Cortina 2026 around the corner, winter sports are back in the spotlight—and so is the age-old question: how hard can they really be? From online debates about curling to big claims about “four years to Olympic level,” we dig into what the public believes versus reality. Backed by a nationwide survey and insights from a two-time Team GB Olympian, this piece separates armchair confidence from elite-level truth.

Dreaming of looking effortlessly smooth on the slopes? Our latest blog reveals insider tips to help you ski with confidence and style. Whether confident intermediate or aspiring expert, discover practical advice that'll have you carving down the mountain feeling like a seasoned pro in no time.

New to skiing? Our beginner-friendly guide covers essential slope etiquette and safety rules every first-timer should know before hitting the mountain. We’re filling you in on the unwritten rules that'll keep you safe, confident, and respectful on the slopes. Essential reading for your first ski trip!

Winter delays aren’t bad luck – they’re predictable. Our Winter Flight Disruption Index reveals the UK and European airports most likely to derail your trip, the worst months to fly, and smarter ways to avoid the chaos.

Discover the winter travel essentials most people forget but really shouldn’t. From smart layers to sun protection and tech tips, a travel expert reveals the simple items that can save your ski trip—and make every cold-weather getaway far more comfortable.

Worried about passport problems ruining your trip? Our expert guide covers the most common mistakes UK travellers make – from outdated issue dates to damaged documents – plus tips on the new King Charles III passport design and upcoming EU entry rules. Stay prepared and travel stress-free.

Many UK adults aren’t giving up family holidays just yet. From shared memories to shared costs, discover why so many grown-up children are still packing their bags with mum and dad.

UK travellers face common concerns from insurance to liquids, flights, passports and packing. With millions flying yearly and rules often changing, top Googled questions reveal uncertainty, but experts stress planning ahead, insurance cover and checking updates.

Making travel easier and less stressful is always high on the agenda when going on holiday. But when faced with extra costs, what are travellers actually willing to pay for and which upgrades are they skipping?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, over half of Brits (52%), admit to a fear of being high up, and around a quarter (24%) experience anxiety when stepping onto a plane, a condition known as aerophobia, something that can affect even the most seasoned travellers.

An estimated two in five (42%) Brits have plans to go abroad this year - which is around 29 million people - but many of us will unintentionally make simple mistakes in our planning, at the airport, or while we’re away that can cost us not only in precious time but also money. And of course, mistakes can lead to extra hassle and stress too, which is something to avoid on a hard-earned holiday!

Whether you are just starting out as a beginner skier, or it is something you have always wanted to give a go, our beginner ski guide has you covered. When we noticed in our recent survey that nearly a third of UK adults (30%) want to get into skiing, and one in eight (12%) have already taken the plunge to learn as an adult, we decided to take a closer look into the best ski resorts to visit as a first-time skier, and further explore why people are wanting to learn.

Erna Low's sustainability journey continues with ADN skis, a new venture producing recyclable skis in partnership with Salomon. Available to trial this season through rental partner Skiset in Val Thorens, Belle Plagne and Courchevel, the scheme gathers rider feedback on performance before the skis are dismantled and studied after three years.

Tignes is without a doubt, one of Frances top-tier ski resorts for snowsports enthusiasts but there is far more to get up to at this lovely ski resort. Checkout Abbie Andrews top tips for non-ski activities in Tignes!

Are you thinking about taking on some of the biggest ski areas in the Alps? Check out Brad’s analysis of the biggest, largest and most expansive ski areas in Europe. If you are all about endless snowy terrains and cross-border skiing, you’re exactly where you need to be.

Val Thorens is one of Frances's most vibrant ski resorts. It offers fantastic experiences both on and off pistes and is one of the Alp's most popular ski destinations. A keen skier and frequent visitor to Val Thorens, Cristal Butcher, shares her top picks of non-ski activities you can get up to on your ski escape to the Alps.

Visit the Alps with the family over the festivities and experience the magic of Christmas in a winter wonderland of your choice! Katie Corner, an Account Manager with NUCO Travels, has been visiting the Alps for several years; she shares her top Christmas destinations for the family. Enjoy!

Driving to the Alps could very well represent the future of ski holiday travel. It is cheaper, eco-friendly and offers a great deal of flexibility that makes it a highly attractive option over flying for many people. In this blog, we explore the advantages of a self-drive ski holiday and why it may be a better option over flying.

If you are planning a self-drive ski holiday on your next trip to the Alps and are considering stopping over in a town or village for a cultural experience, we have suggested a few places for you to check out on your drive through France. Perfect for families, friend groups and couples on a romantic getaway, we are sure you’ll have a memorable experience.

The Alps are highly regarded for their mountain cuisine, with skiers and snowboarders drooling over Savoyard dishes such as fondue, raclette and the main feature of this article, tartiflette.

The Sella Ronda is a world-famous ski circuit in the Dolomites. A significant and monumental run, it spans between 26 and 27 kilometres and loops around the Sella.

Is there a healthy correlation between skiing and calories? Let us rephrase. Is there a healthy correlation between skiing and losing calories? You probably did not have to think too much to answer that question. Of course, there is but...

If you have a disability and a love for snow sports, there are several ways for you to get involved. Snowsports is becoming increasingly accessible and inclusive particularly to people with different disabilities.

Often a topic of contention amongst snowsport enthusiasts, the recurring, never-ending debate of what is the better sport between skiing or snowboarding continues to rage on. It is not an easy or straightforward call for either as both sports give equal amounts of thrill, excitement and fulfilment in their own separate ways.

Deciding what to pack for your ski holiday to the Alps must seem extremely tiresome and borderline impossible. So, for the first time skiers, snowboarders and visitors to the Alps, we have prepared a ski holiday packing list to make sure you have not left any essential items behind.

Being a fairly compact village, you'd be forgiven for thinking there aren't many places to eat in Arc 1950; however, you'd be wrong. With 13 different restaurants & bars, there's something for all tastes. We've made the choice a little easier for you, by giving you our take on the best places to eat & drink in Arc 1950.

Skiing doesn’t have to be downhill. Nordic, or cross-country, skiing - also known as 'ski de fond' in France and Langlaufen in Austria - is increasingly popular with our guests. Learn more about that awesome full body workout. Maybe you'll want to try next time you go to the mountains!

If you're a skier, it's a safe bet that you'll have heard of Val Thorens. What makes this resort so great and why has it gained so many accolades over the years, including the title of 'the world's best ski resort'? Here are just a few reasons why we think every skier or snowboarder should visit Val Thorens at least once.

Arc 1950 is one of our most popular destinations. The resort is designed to provide stress-free skiing and access to lots of activities, restaurants and apres-ski bars. There are activities for everyone! Those who ski and those who don't. No one will be left behind in Arc 1950!

Self-drive ski holidays are an ever popular holiday option for those looking to add flexibility to their next ski trip. Driving your own car provides you with the option to plan a more relaxing travel schedule and there are no limits on how much you can pack - as long as it all fits in your vehicle!

At Erna Low we understand what it's like to go on a family ski or snowboarding holiday. There are so many options to consider that it can be daunting when trying to find the best family ski resorts; however, with our experience and guidance we can make booking your family ski holiday a stress free experience.

If you want to hit the slopes without breaking the bank, a self-drive ski holiday is a great way to make skiing more affordable. A self-drive ski holiday with Erna Low also brings many other benefits that you may not have considered, so we've put together our top reasons to consider driving to the Alps for your next ski trip.

We all know the main purpose of our annual ski trip is to make the most of that precious time on the slopes with friends or family; however, with so many unique and exciting activities to try in the French Alps, you'll really be missing out if you don't try at least one or two new experiences on your next ski trip.

The resort of Morzine is one of our favourite French ski destinations, but if you've never visited, you might wonder what makes it so great for a ski holiday. We've put together our top five reasons we think Morzine should be on everyone's list of must-ski resorts. Read that and you won't be disappointed!

Why do people choose resorts like Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 for their skiing holiday? It's all about the snow! The high altitude resorts get more of the white stuff and stay colder so it sticks around longer. When they hit, you'd be forgiven for deciding to stay indoors but you might miss out on some superb skiing.