Photo: (c) OT La Plagne.

Winter in the Alps has already started, as you will have seen from our post from Val d’Isere last week. One of our editors is there today and reports that there’s lots of snow above 2000m today, with excellent skiing conditions.

We still have offers for some blissfully uncrowded pre-Christmas skiing, plus some for skiing at Christmas and New Year.

Most of the major operators have ski holiday deals available throughout the winter, and it’s also worth having a look at what the ski specialist travel agencies have on offer.

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.

Pre-Christmas Skiing

Lech chalet-hotel from £999pp with VIP SKI
Located on Lech’s main high street, Hotel Theodul offers luxury accommodation with easy access to the resort’s restaurants and bars as well being a short walk from the main ski lifts. The hotel has a spa complete with steam room, sauna and relaxation area; new for the 2018/19 season is a heated outdoor pool. The 29 bedrooms are spread over three floors, all featuring en-suite bathrooms, a flat-screen TV and wifi. A seven-night stay starting December 16 2018, costs from £999pp (reduced from £1,199pp, saving £200pp) including flights, transfers and chalet board. Bookings: VIP SKI.

Les Menuires self-catering from £196pp with Ski Collection
The three-star-superior Résidence Coeur des Loges is in a quiet, scenic location in the Preyerand area of Les Menuires, at the entrance to the resort. Facilities include an on-site restaurant with panoramic terrace, indoor heated swimming-pool and spa area with Jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna. Save 15% on apartments on the week commencing December 15; 10% on apartments on the weeks commencing January 19, February 9, March 23, and April 13; and save 5% on the week commencing February 2. To take advantage of the deal, book by December 7. For example, seven nights is from £196pp (was £223pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free upgrade to Flexiplus. Price is based on five sharing a two-bedroom Confort apartment (sleeps up to six) arriving December 15. Bookings: Ski Collection.

Corvara hotel stay from £794pp with Inghams
A seven-night early-season ski holiday on a half board basis at the four-star Sporthotel Panorama in Corvara in the beautiful Dolomites mountains is now from £794pp based on three sharing. Price represents a saving of £615pp (44%) and includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and airport transfers. The package is valid for travel departing on December 15. Bookings: Inghams.

La Plagne whole apartment for £633 with Erna Low
There are some great deals on apartments in La Plagne in December and January, offering great value high-altitude skiing. Residence Sun Valley in Plagne Soleil is located next to the piste and ski school meeting point at 2000m making it the ideal base for early season skiing. Book a three-bedroom apartment (sleeps eight) for seven nights from December 15 for £633 per apartment saving 35% (accommodation only). January arrivals are also discounted between 15% and 25%. Bookings: Erna Low.

Zermatt luxury chalet from 3,600chf with Matterhorn Chalets
Chalet Ulysse in Zermatt has a special offer for the week of December 15. This charming chalet is a five-minute walk to the Matterhorn Express gondola. For catered and serviced (evening meals on four nights) with up to eight
people and sole occupancy it is now 9,000chf. For up to 12 people with sole occupancy it is now 12,000chf. On a self-catered basis, a two-bedroom apartment sleeping four people is now 3,600chf, and a four-bedroom duplex sleeping eight people is now 6,600chf. Bookings: Matterhorn Chalets.

Christmas and New Year

Photo: (c) TVB St Anton.

Val d’Isere Christmas for £899pp
Spend Christmas at Chalet Cristal in Val d’Isere, where the chalet hosts will prepare a feast for Christmas, with turkey, crackers, Christmas tree, carols and free-flowing wine with dinner. Ski Beat has trimmed the price of a week’s skiing, departing December 22, by £170pp – it was £1,069pp and is now £899pp. The price includes return Gatwick flights (Manchester + £20pp), transfers, and chalet half board. Bookings: Ski Beat.

St Martin de Belleville New Year for £1,500 with Ski Talini
Save £250pp in St Martin de Belleville staying at Chalet des Anges is in a heavenly location near the St Martin 1 gondola, which takes you to the top of Meribel and Les Menuires in the 3 Valleys. This chic chalet has a last-minute cancellation over New Year, so the luxurious catered chalet is open for bookings of up to 10 people from December 30. The price is for seven nights and includes six nights’ fine dining, with travel not included. Bookings: Ski Talini.

St Anton Christmas from £929pp with SNO
Save over £500 a head when you book Chalet Nimbus in St Anton over Christmas. Discounted from £1,467pp to £929pp, the seven-night package includes Gatwick flights, transfers and chalet catering, departing December 22. The five-bedroom chalet has a minibus serving the centre and Galzig lifts, and there’s access to a heated outdoor pool, steam room and sauna. Bookings: SNO.

Meribel New Year for £1,209pp with Ski Total
Chalet Hotel Alba, located in the heart of Meribel, is the perfect place to explore the vast 3 Valleys ski area. Stay seven nights from £1,209pp, a saving of £275pp, departing December 30 from London and regional airports. Chalet Hotel Alba features a large sun terrace, sauna, steam-room and indoor whirlpool. Price includes flights, transfers, chalet catering and a New Year’s Eve gala dinner with Champagne. Bookings: Ski Total.

Peisey-Les Arcs Christmas for £774pp with Esprit Ski
Peisey is a quiet ski village located between Les Arcs and La Plagne ski areas. On Christmas day all Esprit chalets host a special dinner with a visit from Santa Claus who has a gift for every child. Seven nights at Chalet Hibou is from £774 per adult, a saving of £125pp, departing December 23 from London and regional airports. Chalet Hibou has on-site childcare, and a sauna and outdoor hot tub with views to Montchavin. Price includes return flights, transfers, half board accommodation. Esprit’s Childcare is available from £349 for six full days for children aged between 17 weeks and 12 years. Bookings: Esprit Ski

Spring Skiing

Les Carroz March skiing from £254pp with Peak Retreats
Les Chalets de Leana four-star residence is located in the heart of Les Carroz overlooking the main square and a five-minute walk to the nursery slopes and magic carpet which connects to the main gondola. There is a free private indoor heated swimming-pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness room, as well as a spa which offers massages and beauty treatments. Save 10% on apartments from mid-March to the end of the season, when booked by December 15. Seven nights self-catered in a two-bedroom apartment from £254pp (was £278pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings with a free upgrade to FlexiPlus. Price is based on five people sharing a two-bedroom apartment (sleeps up to six) arriving March 16. Bookings: Peak Retreats.