Halal ski holidays: choosing a resort, eating well and praying in the mountains

Is skiing suitable for Muslim travellers

Skiing is a sport like any other and many Muslim families practise it. The questions that arise are practical rather than religious: finding halal food in places where it is scarce, praying in short winter days and keeping modesty in tight ski clothing and shared changing rooms.

Most of these points can be solved by choosing the resort and the accommodation with care. Practice differs among individuals, and each traveller follows their own school or scholar where a question of opinion comes up.

Before booking, decide how much of the week will be spent on the slopes. Beginners often tire quickly, and a mix of lessons and rest days leaves room for prayer, meals and time with the family.

Resorts to consider

Jahorina, near Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is an Olympic ski resort with slopes, lifts and lodging run by VIP Jahorina. Bosnia has a long-standing Muslim community, so travellers often look to the area for mosques and halal food in the nearby capital.

Switzerland is the better-known alternative. Switzerland Tourism's winter pages describe pistes, cross-country trails, snowshoeing, lift tickets and equipment rental. Resort villages differ greatly, so for halal food and prayer, plan around the resort town and the nearest city, and ask the hotel what is available.

Halal food in the mountains

Mountain resorts are often small and have limited choice. Ask the hotel whether halal meat is available and, if not, whether it can offer vegetarian or fish dishes cooked separately. Many families arrange an apartment with a kitchen and buy halal meat in a larger town before the trip.

Swiss mountain menus often feature cheese, cured meats and dishes cooked with wine, so read descriptions carefully and ask about ingredients. Packing a few non-perishable foods avoids stress on arrival after a long journey.

In a larger town, a halal butcher or grocery shop can be found through a map search, and some travellers cook the first dinners in the apartment and eat out on other days.

• Ask which meat is halal and who supplies it.
• Check whether sauces or fondues contain alcohol.
• Prefer self-catering if the village has few options.

Prayer on short winter days

In winter the sun sets early, so Dhuhr, Asr and Maghrib can follow each other closely. Check the times for the resort before you plan the day, and decide where to stop for prayers on the mountain, such as the hotel at midday or the lodge at the base station.

Cold and wet clothes complicate ablution. Warm indoor washing facilities, a dry set of socks and a mat that folds small help a great deal. Travellers differ on combining prayers when travelling, so each reader should follow their own school.

Clothing, modesty and the slopes

Ski clothing is by nature covering: long trousers, jackets, gloves and helmets. Many women find it easier to keep modesty on the slopes than at a beach. Choose a loose layer under the jacket and a neck warmer that can double as a covering.

Check the arrangement in changing rooms, spas and pools in the hotel, especially if you plan an après-ski session. Resorts rarely provide separate hours, so ask at booking whether a private time can be arranged.

Helmets, goggles and gloves are essential for safety whatever your clothing choices, and a helmet can be worn over a thin cap or scarf.

Equipment, lessons and the family

Rental shops in the resort village supply skis, boots, helmets and snowshoes, according to Switzerland Tourism, and booking in advance often saves time on the first morning. Group lessons are usually mixed; private lessons with a female or male instructor can be requested but may not be available everywhere.

For those who do not ski, snowshoeing, cross-country trails and tobogganing offer gentler alternatives, and they allow mixed-ability families to share the day.

Costs, season and a sample week

Prices change with the season, the altitude and the dates of school holidays, so check the resort's own site for current lift passes and lodging rates. Early or late season is often quieter, though snow conditions need checking.

A relaxed week might include a day of arrival and rest, three ski days with a free half-day, one excursion to a nearby town for halal food and a mosque, and a final morning for packing. Keep the last meal near the departure point.

Getting there is part of the cost: check the train or road connections from the nearest airport, since mountain transfers can add hours and may take place in the evening, when prayer times are tight.