Photo: © OT Val Thorens.

Nine days to go until Christmas and it’s a great start to the season again, with good snow cover almost everywhere. Amazingly, there’s still some availability over the holiday period. As well as looking through the deals below, it’s also worth seeing what the ski specialist travel agencies have on offer, such as SNO, Snowfinders and Ski in Luxury. Most of the major tour operators have ski holiday deals available throughout the winter, too.

Christmas Holiday

La Plagne from £650pp with Ski Famille
Chalet Delphine in La Plagne is available on the week of December 21 for £1,299 for an adult and a child or £1,499 for two adults and an infant. Prices include seven nights’ accommodation, six nights’ catering, Gatwick flights and transfers. Child care and ski packs are extra. Bookings: Ski Famille.

Zermatt apartment for CHF2950 with Matterhorn Chalets
The comfortable self-contained two-bedroom Apartment Argos is on the ground floor of Chalet Ulysse in Zermatt. It sleeps four to five people, has great views of the Matterhorn, and is a few minutes’ walk to the gondola station and ski school meeting point. Seven nights starting on December 21 or 22 is CHF 2950 for the property. Bookings: Matterhorn Chalets.

Val Thorens for £719pp with Ski Beat
Depart from Manchester or Gatwick on December 21 and spend Christmas week in snowy Val Thorens, Europe’s highest ski resort, saving £360pp on the original price of £1,079pp, now £719pp. The holiday includes catered accommodation in Chalet Renne, with indoor swimming-pool and sauna. There’s a traditional feast for Christmas dinner, too. Also includes return flights from Manchester (Gatwick departure, £759pp) and transfers. Bookings: Ski Beat

Val d’Isere from £1,800pp with VIP SKI
Located on Val d’Isere’s vibrant high street, VIP CLUB Aspen returns for Christmas and New Year only this season. Here like-minded skiers can socialise in the atmosphere of a larger shared chalet. There are 10 spacious rooms, two lounges, a bar area with complimentary beer and wine, TV, music system, DVD player. A seven-night stay, starting December 22, costs from £1,800pp including chalet board, return flights and transfers. Bookings: VIP SKI.

New Year and Early January

Cortina d’Ampezzo for £1,699pp with SNO
Welcome in the New Year from Cortina’s famous Grand Hotel Miramonti Majestic, where a seven-night stay beginning on December 28 has been reduced from £2,128pp to £1,699pp. This includes half board with a New Year’s Eve gala dinner, return flights from Edinburgh and transfers. The historic five-star hotel has panoramic views of the Dolomites and a wellness centre with a swimming-pool. Bookings: SNO.

Obergurgl family trip from £5,104 with Esprit Ski
There’s a seven-night ski holiday at Chalet Hotel Alpenblume in Obergurgl, from £5,104 per family (based on two adults and two children sharing), departing on December 28. Price represents a saving of £1,140 and includes return flights from Edinburgh to Innsbruck, airport transfers and seven nights’ accommodation on a catered basis. Childcare is at extra cost. Bookings: Esprit Ski.

Les Gets short break for £399pp with Ski2
On January 2 you can stay three nights at Chalet Delavey (sleeps eight) in Les Gets for £399pp (it was £485pp). Price includes free return airport transfers, catered chalet accommodation and a three-day Les Gets/Morzine lift pass. Bookings: Ski2.

Half Term

Orelle mid-February from £284pp with Peak Retreats
Orelle offers great links to Val Thorens and is an authentic Alpine village full of charm and character. It makes a quiet qlternative base to enjoy great skiing. Stay in the three-star-superior Residence Orelle 3 Vallées, half a mile from the Orelle gondola with direct access to the slopes. Facilities include access to the indoor heated pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub. There’s 20% off the week commencing February 15 when booked by February 2. Seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment from £284pp based on five sharing (was £343pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings. Bookings: Peak Retreats.

Alpe d’Huez half term for £422.75pp with Erna Low
Don’t wrestle with the February half term airport crowds – hop in your car and head for the Alps. Stay seven nights at the L’Ours Blanc residence, with a skating rink next door, in Alpe d’Huez. There’s 10% off, so a four-person apartment is now £1,691 including Eurotunnel Flexiplus crossings. Departs February 15. Bookings: Erna Low.

Courchevel mid-February from £784pp with Ski Collection
Stay at the recently-built Keystone Lodge in Courchevel Moriond. It’s made up of modern, stylish apartments and is centrally located with the nearest lifts 250m away. The apartments sleep up to 12 people, and some have extras such as a playroom, spa, or hot tub. There’s 25% off the week commencing February 15 when booked by January 31. Seven nights in a standard two-bedroom alcove apartment (based on five sharing) from £784pp (was £1,030pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings. Bookings: Ski Collection.