1. Trip history
Origins: The Birth of Varsity (1920s–1950s)
The Varsity Trip began in 1922, making it one of the longest-running student ski trips in the world. What started as a small gathering of Oxford and Cambridge students heading to the Alps to race and relax quickly became an annual tradition. The first trips were modest — a few dozen students, simple gear, and a strong sense of rivalry.
Growth & Glamour: (1960s–1980s)
By the 1960s, skiing had exploded in popularity across Europe, and the Varsity Trip grew with it. Numbers swelled, venues became more ambitious, and the trip began to blend serious competition with lively après-ski. It gained a reputation for elegance, fun, and high spirits — with black-tie dinners and slope-side parties becoming part of the lore.
Modernisation & Mega Scale: (1990s–2010s)
From the 1990s onward, Varsity evolved into a massive operation — with thousands of students, high-profile sponsors, and entire resorts booked out exclusively. The Varsity Race remained the heart of the trip, but it became equally famous for its nightlife, DJs, and themed events. Tech improvements brought sleek booking systems, custom apps, and pro-level photography to the experience.
Today: Tradition Meets Innovation (2020s–Present)
Now celebrating over a century of skiing history, the Varsity Trip is Europe’s largest student snowsports event, balancing its historic roots with cutting-edge entertainment. Whether you're a seasoned racer, a total beginner, or just here for the après — the trip is a rite of passage for Oxbridge students, offering unbeatable memories on and off the slopes.
2. Accommodation
2025 room descriptions
1. Basic
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£0 - included in base price. This is full occupancy of 2 star basic
self-catered apartments. Full occupancy: this means sleeping
on sofa beds in communal areas and/or small alcoves with
bunk beds; some apartments may have a double bed which
will be allocated two people. The apartments vary in capacity,
with the majority being for 4-6 people. Linen is provided.
Accommodation points:
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Fully equipped kitchenette
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Basic Wi-Fi access
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Linen included
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2. Standard
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Price - £49. This is full occupancy of modernised 3 star self-catered apartments. Full occupancy: this means sleeping on sofa beds in communal areas and/or small alcoves with bunk beds; some apartments may have a double bed which will be allocated two people. The apartments vary in capacity, with the majority being for 4-6 people. Linen and towels are provided.
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Accommodation points:
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Fully equipped kitchenette
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Basic Wi-Fi access
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Linen included
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Towels included
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Ski in & out
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Restaurant on site
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3. Upgrade
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Price - £149. This is in 4 star self-catered apartments. No one will have to sleep on sofa beds in communal areas, each passenger will have a bed in a bedroom. Some bedrooms may have double beds or bunk beds; in each case two people will have to sleep in that bedroom. Linen and towels are provided.
Accommodation points:
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Fully equipped kitchenette
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Wi-Fi access
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Linen included
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Towels included
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Larger rooms
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4. Premium
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Price - £269. This is in 5 star self-catered apartments. No one will have to sleep on sofa beds in communal areas, each passenger will have a bed in a bedroom. Some bedrooms may have double beds or bunk beds; in each case two people will have to sleep in that bedroom. Linen and towels are provided.
Accommodation points:
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Fully equipped kitchenette
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Wi-Fi access
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Linen included
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Towels included
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Restaurant on site
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Swimming pool and spa access
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Larger rooms
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Room allocations
There’s no need to worry yourself about room-sharing plans just yet. Our tried-and-tested room allocation system is geared towards keeping your group of friends as close as possible, regardless of how many of you there are. We will organise accommodation at the start of November.
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1. Background
Our tried-and-tested room allocation process is here to ensure that you can stay as close as possible to
your friends. Here is a useful guide to the process.
You will either all live together in one apartment, or be split into a number of smaller ones. If you’re
separated, our system will still allow you to remain in close proximity to each other. Whilst we strive to
keep friendship groups together as neighbours oron the same corridor, this is not always possible due to the layout of buildings and the room types within them. Like in previous years, we will be dividing the process into two stages.
2. Stage One
Please note that if you do not complete Stage 1, you will be randomly allocated to an apartment and will lose the chance to decide who to stay with.
Stage 1 is about putting yourself into a general friendship group. Friendship groups form the basis for our allocations – these are therefore the people you will be living with or nearby. There are virtually no constraints to who can be in your friendship group. They could be friends from college, from your sports team, or even from the other University. There is also no limit to the size of a friendship group. On the whole, you will have one of two options: either you create a custom group for yourself and your friends, or you join an existing college group, which acts as a simple, hassle-free friendship group.
To create a custom group: Initially, just one member of your group will need to login to the NUCO portal. They will need to ‘Create a Group’ and give this group a name. They will then be given a unique group code which you and the rest of your friends will need in order to allocate yourself to this friendship group. To do so, please click the link above and select ‘Join Group’.
To join an existing college group: Our first e-mail will contain a code which is specific to your college and accommodation tier. Login to the NUCO portal and select ‘Join Group’. Insert the code and you will then be added to your college contingent.
Please note the following:
Upgraded Accommodation: you will only be able to create or join a group containing people with the same accommodation upgrade. The college code we send you will be specific to your accommodation upgrade choice.
Racers’ Package: you will only be able to create or join a group containing racers on the package. Whilst all racers will be in Tier 1 accommodation, you will not be able to share a room with friends in Tier 1 accommodation. This is because you will arrive two days before Tier 1 rooms are available.
3. Stage Two
Once Stage 1 is closed we will allocate appropriate apartments to your friendship group. The size and type of your allocated apartment(s) will vary. For instance, a friendship group of 24 could receive four 6-bed apartments or three 8-bed apartments. A friendship group of 8 may receive either one 8-bed apartment or two 4-bed apartments. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to cater to special requests concerning the precise size or number of apartments.
Once Stage 2 is open, you will need to allocate yourself to the precise apartment within your friendship group. You will be able to see which of your friends have already allocated themselves to which apartment. Please note that these allocations are done on a first-come, first-served basis, and if you leave it too late, you won’t have as much of a free choice regarding the precise apartment.
Please familiarise yourself with the following:
Single apartments: If your group has been allocated a single apartment, you will not need to take any action when you view the allocation page – you will all be in the one apartment by default.
4. Extra Details
Proximity of apartments: In the vast majority of cases, apartments will be located next to each other. Unfortunately due to the layout of apartment blocs, this is not always feasible and it is possible you will be split over multiple different floors or even accommodation blocs.
3. Transport
However you choose to get to Varsity, we want to make it as simple and cost effective as possible. In recent years, coach travel has seen large cost increases due to driver and fuel shortages and so we expect more trip-goers to fly out. However, coaches are still available from Oxford, Cambridge and London and we expect many trip goers to use this option.
If you choose to fly, we are running transfers from many European airports. See below for more details.
Coaches
We still expect the majority of trip goers to utilise our coach services due to their convenience and value.
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We only use modern, comfortable, executive coaches with TVs and toilets, so the journey is much more comfortable than you might imagine. You can bring one medium-sized soft shell bag, the dimensions of which should be no greater than 50cm x 50cm x 100cm.
If you have your own skis or snowboard you will be able to bring this onto the coach for free, so long as you select this option on the booking form.
Flights​
For those of you who would prefer to get to resort in the shortest possible time, get in an extra night’s sleep at the end of term and another one in resort, flying is the option for you.
This year you will have to book your own flights and you will be able to book on to a transfer supplied by NUCO each way to get to resort. Flights should be booked on the 6th and 13th into and out of Geneva, Lyon, Turin, or Grenoble if taking a NUCO transfer.
Airport Transfers
If you need to get from the airport to resort then book one of NUCO's airport transfers.
These can also be booked by passengers not flying but wishing to use the service to get to or from these locations.
​​Please note that a transfer won't run if there aren't enough people to fill the coach. If this is the case, then you will be accommodated on a later transfer from the same airport. For this reason, we recommend flying into and out of Geneva as this has the most options.​​
Driving or independent travel
You are free to arrange your own transport, but Varsity Trip takes no responsibility for your safe and punctual arrival in resort.
Parking may also be difficult.
4. Equipment
Having the right kit makes or breaks a trip. That's why we make sure to find the best kit for you at the best prices. We make the process of picking up your kit as easy as possible with pre-arrival boot scanning and ski allocation. Picking up your equipment is as easy as going to get a morning croissant, so you can spend more time skiing, partying and eating.
Equipment Hire -
We will be offering different levels of ski / snowboard hire for the week. The tiers we have available for skis, ski boots, and poles (if skiing) or snowboard boots and a snowboard (if snowboarding) are as follows:
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Economy
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Evolution
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Performance
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Excellence
For beginners, Economy is more than sufficient, whilst those with more experience will be satisfied with the higher levels, which are still available at incredible value!
There are discounted hire options if you already own boots and / or skis / and / or a snowboard.
Helmets can be hired as well. It is highly recommended that everyone wear a helmet when participating in snowsports.
Clothing Hire -
Good quality winter kit is necessary on the slopes. If you’re just starting out but don’t want to invest upfront, you may wish to rent to avoid any hassle. You can rent ski clothes and goggles through our booking form. We've tried to make it as simple as possible - you just need to select your size.
At the end of the week, simply hand back in the hired kit just before you leave.