If you missed out on the ski season – or have recently returned from your ski holiday and can’t wait for the next one – the good news is that the early booking offers are underway and include some good savings.
Meanwhile, how about considering a summer holiday in the Alps? The mountains are just as beautiful – some would say ever more so – as in winter. Activities include road biking and mountain biking, swimming in natural lakes, hiking, golf and horse-riding. It’s a great way to keep your ski-fitness levels going!
Make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Don’t forget to reserve your airport parking at least 24 hours before you go – this is especially important during peak holiday periods. If you’re flying from Gatwick, Cophall Parking has some offers just for Welove2ski viewers.
It’s also worth finding out what the specialist travel agencies have on offer in the way of early bookings for next winter, such as SNO, Snowfinders and Ski in Luxury.
Summer in the Alps
Chamonix summer from £399pp with Inghams
A seven-night holiday on a catered basis (including packed lunches) at the three-diamond Hotel Sapiniere in Chamonix, is now from £399pp. Price represents a saving of £90pp and includes return flights from Bristol to Geneva and airport transfers. The package is valid for travel departing on May 15. Bookings: Inghams.
Le Grand Bornand from £112pp with Peak Retreats
Le Grand Bornand area offers more than 200km of marked mountain bike trails accessible with a special lift pass. Le Village de Lessy residence is in the centre of Chinaillon, 6km from Grand Bornand village. Facilities include an indoor pool and wellness area. There’s 10% off one-week stays on the weeks commencing June 22 and 29, July 6 and 27, August 24 when booked by April 30, as well as eight nights for the price of seven on some dates (arrive on Friday June 21 instead of 22; stay until Sunday September 1 instead of August 31 – at no extra cost). For example, seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment is from £112pp (was £122pp) including midweek ferry crossings from Dover to Calais. Price based on five sharing a two-bedroom apartment (sleeps up to six) on the week commencing June 22.Bookings: Peak Retreats.
Ayurvedic Yoga Massage in Les Gets with VIP Chalets
Ayurvedic Yoga Massage was developed by Barbara Porret at Keolan Yoga in Les Gets. The method combines traditional Indian massage and yoga techniques to create a wholly regenerating experience. Altitude Lodge allows you to bring the calming ambiance from the yoga back to your accommodation, offering the most relaxing stay in Les Gets. The Lodge has a bar, terrace, and private hot tubs. A stay here in June costs from £65pp per night half board. Price deos not include flights or transfers, but these can be arranged for an extra cost. Bookings:
VIP Chalets.
Val d’Isere Gran Paradiso-Vanoise nature trek
Keen walkers can now try a brand-new pedestrian connection between two National Parks, Gran Paradiso in Italy and the Vanoise in France. Five cross-border communes are now linked by the unique Gran Paradiso-Vanoise nature trail, which is accessible to anyone who enjoys a spot of fitness in the Alps. To celebrate this new trek between France and Italy, there will be a public presentation on July 2 with a guided tour later this summer. Hikers can expect vibrant-green meadows, natural mountainous barriers and plenty of native wildlife. Information:
Val d’Isere Office de Tourisme:
Yoga and Pottery Workshop in the Portes du Soleil
Summer is an ideal time to visit Portes du Soleil: mountain bikers and walkers can make the most of the 24 lifts to whisk them up the mountains, climbers can enjoy the many via ferrate and rock-climbing routes, and there’s paragliding and horse-riding too. New for summer 2019 is a Yoga and Pottery Workshop. The aim of the class is to relax, connect and discover new creative dimensions with yoga postures and a focus on breathing. The experience takes place in Lasseret hamlet, an idyllic setting facing Mont Blanc, where inner peace will not be hard to find. A two-hour session costs from €40 (£38) pp. Information:
Portes du Soleil Tourisme.
Next Season
Banff from £1,325pp for 10 nights with Skiworld
Canadian ski holidays are now on sale for the 2019/20 season with great early booking offers on a variety of hotels and condominiums in resorts such as Whistler, Banff and Lake Louise. For example, save up to 35% in Banff and Lake Louise staying in the lovely Fairmont Banff Springs when booking before August 31. Prices start from £1,325pp for 10 nights, based on November 30 departure and including accommodation, flights and transfers. Bookings: Skiworld.
Flaine from £163pp with Ski Collection
Flaine has one of the best snow records in the French Alps and you can stay in the three-star-superior Les Portes du Grand Massif, which has south-facing self-catering apartments and chalets set in the Hameau de Flaine area. Facilities include free access to the indoor pool and fitness room; Jacuzzi, sauna, steam and massage. There’s 10% off in the 2019/20 season (except the February 15 and 22 weeks) when booked by October 31. So seven nights is £163pp (was £202pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrade. The price is based on based on five people sharing two-bedroom apartment (sleeps up to six) on the week commencing April 13. Bookings: Ski Collection.
Val d’Isere £100pp early booking savings with VIP SKI
Part of a small, private hamlet in the sunny Le Cret area of Val d’Isere, Chalet Madrisah has four bedrooms, a dining area extending onto the terrace, a wet suite with hot tub and sauna, and marble bathrooms. A seven-night stay, starting January 5, costs from £1,069pp (reduced from £1,169pp, saving £100pp). Price includes return flights, transfers and chalet board catering. Bookings: VIP SKI.
St Martin de Belleville from £518pp with Peak Retreats
The old farming village of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville has a chic atmosphere with a good variety of bars and restaurants. Stay in the beautiful four-star Chalet Rose located 100m and over the road from the gondola linking into the 3 Valleys. The facilities include an outdoor hot tub, sauna, home cinema, pool table and table tennis. There’s 10% off the 2019/20 season when booked by September 30. Seven nights self-catering is £518pp including return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade for three vehicles. This is based on 14 sharing the five-bedroom chalet (sleeps up to 14) on the week commencing January 4. Bookings: Peak Retreats.
Zermatt from £1,099pp including equipment hire with SNO
If you book Zermatt‘s Hotel Mirabel early for next winter, you can save £130pp and bag a deal on equipment hire while you’re at it. Discounted from £1,229pp to £1,099pp, a seven-night package includes Gatwick flights, resort transfers and half board as well as 2-for-1 ski/snowboard and boot hire. The price is based on the week beginning January 11 and the hotel is a four-star property positioned two minutes’ from the mountain railway and village centre. Bookings: SNO.
Christmas in Santa’s Lapland from £3,368 per family of four
Santa’s Lapland offers loads of flexibility, with three- or four-day breaks to Saariselkä in northern Finland from 19 regional airports in the UK, making it easy for families to go and meet Santa! The holiday includes half board, return flights and transfers, thermal clothing, magical winter activities such as husky sledding, reindeer sleigh ride, and – of course – a private family meeting with Santa Clause! From Manchester it’s £3,448 per family, from Luton from £3,368 per family, and from Edinburgh it’s from £3,528 per family. All prices are for two adults and two children under five years sharing. Bookings: Santa’s Lapland.
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