“Why are there so many bargains for Christmas left at this late stage?” you may well ask. The reason is, of course, the feeble start to the Alpine ski season in terms of snow cover. At the moment, people are cautious about booking anything too early – but of, course, it only takes a couple of days for everything to turn around completely. So if you are prepared to take a chance, you could find yourself an amazing last-minute Christmas ski trip – in fact you’ll probably never see Christmas prices like this again! Keep an eye on our weather map and you might be in for a treat.

Here are some of the most eye-catching ski deals available at the time of writing. For more offers, check out the websites of operators such as Crystal Ski, Inghams, Mark Warner, Neilson, and Ski World. Consult specialist travel agencies, too – such as Sno, Snowfinders, Momentum Ski and Snow-Wise.

And don’t forget to book your airport parking or meet and greet valet parking in advance.

Still Time to Book Your White Christmas!

Plan-Peisey from £215pp with Esprit Ski
Spend Christmas in the quiet village of Plan-Peisey in the Paradiski area shared with both Les Arcs and La Plagne. Accommodation is in the stylish Chalet Renard and costs £575pp (was £890pp) – the chalet is in a central location and has spa facilities including an outdoor hot tub overlooking the valley. The price is based on a family of four, (two adults and two children under 12) at £2,300 travelling out on December 21 for one week, and includes return flights from Manchester or Gatwick to Geneva, resort transfers, free wifi and seven nights catered chalet accommodation. Esprit Classic Child Care is available from £215 for a week of exclusive ski lessons. Further details from Esprit Ski.

Pas de la Casa from £544pp with Crystal Ski
A week’s half board at four-star Hotel Magic in the high-altitude resort of Pas de la Casa in Andorra now starts at £544pp, saving £250pp. The price includes flights from Gatwick and resort transfers, departing December 21. Direct flights are available from all major UK airports. More details from Crystal Ski.

Arlberg Christmas from £399pp with Ski Total
Why not pack up the car and just go? Several properties are on offer for the week beginning December 21 at knock-down self-drive prices: for example Chalet Hotel Montfort in Lech is now £399pp (was £1,129pp), Chalet Hotel Alexandra also in Lech is £399pp (was £1,029pp), and Chalet Rosanna in St Anton s going for £399pp (was £979pp). The prices include seven nights catered accommodation. Further details on these ski deals from Ski Total.

La Plagne from £343pp with Alpine Elements
Spend the week starting December 21 in Chalet Gemeaux in Plagne 1800 costing from £343pp. The large chalet is traditional style and sleeps up to 34 people. The price includes half board accommodation, flights, resort transfers, and half price equipment hire. For details on this and other ski deals from Alpine Elements.

Val d’Isere from £598pp with Mark Warner
Spend Christmas at Chalet Hotel Moris in high-altitude Val d’Isere, with departure on December 21. Prices start from £598pp (saving £300pp) including flights, resort transfers, chalet board accommodation and a lift pass collection service. More information is available from Mark Warner.

Les Arcs apartments from £1,478 with Pierre & Vacances
Enjoy the festive season in ski-in ski-out Arc 1950, with its well-equipped apartments. New for this winter, L’Hemingway restaurant is offering Christmas dinner – on December 25 there will be turkey with all the trimmings and an added French twist – costing from £48 for adults and £12 for children. Stay in a one-bedroom apartment for four people in Premium Residence Arc 1950 Le Village from £1,478 (saving 19% on £1,848) for seven nights arriving December 20. This includes a free lift pass for children. Flights start from £144pp from Luton to Geneva with easyJet. Visit Pierre & Vacances for further details.

Verbier chalet for 45,500chf with CK Verbier
Chalet Monterosa is now available for the Christmas week. The beautiful property has stunning views and is a stone’s throw from the bottom of Le Rouge piste. The price to rent Monterosa for the Christmas week starting on December 21 – including a five-star bespoke service – is 45,500chf. As well as this, free return transfers from Geneva Airport are being offered in Verbier during January, saving up to 1,500chf. The offer is valid for the weeks starting January 4, 11, 18 and 25. More information can be found at CK Verbier.

January Breaks

Megeve from £540pp with Stanford Ski
Spend the week starting January 4 at either Chalet-hotel Sylvana or Rond Point for £450pp excluding flights. Alternatively there’s Chalet Les Clochettes for £735pp. On top of this there’s £25 off the usual rates for Megeve chalets from January 4-17 low season for three- and four-night ski weekends or short breaks at Chalet Sylvana and Chalet Hotel Rond Point, which means prices start at £270pp. All these prices exclude flights. Details available from Stanford Skiing.

Les Menuires from £340pp with Erna Low
Save 25% on accommodation when you stay seven nights at the Hameau des Airelles in Les Menuires, including return flights from London to Geneva, with baggage included, and private transfers from the airport to resort. The price now starts at £340pp based on six people sharing an apartment. Situated at the foot of the slopes, the residence has an indoor heated swimming-pool with lovely views. Departure is on January 17, and you’ll need to book before December 16 to take advantage of the offer. More details from Erna Low

Family holidays from £1,599 with Ski Famille
Some excellent savings are now available for the week starting January 3. Prices are from £1,599 for a family of four, including Gatwick to Geneva flights and resort transfers. The in-chalet à la carte childcare is also available six days a week from £229 per child. For more details Click here.

Three days skiing in the Three Valleys for £228.50
Stay three nights at the pretty Hotel Les Bains in Bride-les-Bains, between January 10 and 13, and you’ll get a three-day Three Valleys lift pass as part of the deal – offering access to 600km of pistes. Half-board accommodation and lift ticket costs £228.50, not including travel – a saving of £52. Details available at ski.brides-les-bains.com

Half Term Availabily

Courchevel and St Anton from £1,325pp with Flexiski
Four nights half board at Hotel Saint Louis in Courchevel 1850, including flights and resort transfers during February half term, now start at £1,325pp. Departure is February 15 and the holiday is over five days. Alternatively there are four nights’ half board available at Chalet Amalien Haus in St Anton with flights and transfers included – also during February half term and departing February 15 for five days – the price is from £1,325pp. More details on this ski deal from Flexiski.

Easter Holidays

Val Thorens from £489pp with Ski Collection
Stay in the four-star ski-in ski-out Le Hameau du Kashmir in Val Thorens, with its bar, restaurants, pool and spa. On the week starting April 4 you can save 10% when you stay for seven nights self-catering, including Eurotunnel crossings. The price is now from £489pp based on four people sharing. Bookings need to be made by February 1 to take advantage of the offer. More details from Ski Collection.

Montgenevre from £100pp with Peak Retreats
Stay a week in Montgenevre, where accommodation is in four-star Le Hameau des Airelles at the foot of the slopes with an on-site pool and spa area. On the week starting March 28 you can save 15% and stay from £100pp self-catering including Eurotunnel crossings. The price is based on five people sharing, but you’ll need to book by December 20. Further information from Peak Retreats.

Verbier from £799pp with VIP Ski
Refuge Darbay is a charming chalet in the heart of Verbier, close to the lifts, piste and town centre. Comprising a double bedroom with en suite bathroom, plus a family suite with a double bedroom, twin bedroom and shared bathroom, Refuge Darbay sleeps from four to six guests, and the decor is farmhouse chic. As an inaugural offer when you book a holiday for five, the fifth person goes free on any date throughout the season, saving you up to £2,499. Prices from £799pp for seven nights chalet board, including flights and transfers. Visit VIP Ski for further details.