British families spend an average of over £1,100 at Christmas, with more than half overspending and presents taking up an average of £680 of the overall spend. According to ski chalet holiday company, Ski Beat, the British habit of lavishing money on presents, food and drink, more than any other European nation, is driving more and more people to seek an overseas all-inclusive holiday alternative. Ski Beat’s own Christmas shopping list – when they will be hosting guests in 54 chalets – includes 54 Christmas trees, 1,950 mince pies, 138 Christmas puddings, 54kg Brussels sprouts, 550 crackers, and 54 carrots for the reindeer.
We still have offers coming in 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 Trips
Livigno from £599pp and free lift pass with Snowfinders
Spend seven nights half-board at four-star Hotel Intermonti in Livigno. The property has a pool, hot tub and sauna and you’ll save up to £690pp. The holiday is from December 15, with a choice of flights out of Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol and airport transfers included. The new price is from £599p including free lift pass worth up to £490pp. Bookings: Snowfinders.
Meribel pre-Christmas from £900pp with VIP SKI
Save more than £250pp when staying at Bellacima Lodge in Meribel. The chalet has a lift, cinema, billiards room, hot tub and counter-current swimming-pool. A seven-night stay, starting December 16, costs from £900pp (reduced from £1,169pp, saving £269pp) on a chalet-board basis. Price includes flights from Gatwick, and resort transfers. Bookings: VIP SKI.
Lech mid-December for £482pp with Ski Total
Make the most of early season skiing with seven nights at the four-diamond-plus Chalet Hotel Elisabeth in Lech, from £482pp – a saving of £445pp. Departure is on December 16 from Gatwick and Manchester. Chalet Hotel Elisabeth features an indoor swimming-pool, is situated close to the heart of Lech and a 500m stroll to the Rufikopf gondolas to explore the Arlberg ski area. Price includes chalet catering accommodation, flights and transfers. Bookings: Ski Total.
Zermatt entire chalet or apartment from 3,600chf with Matterhorn Chalets
Charming and conveniently-located Chalet Ulysse in Zermatt is available from December 15 on either a catered or self-catered basis. Catered with daily housekeeping, breakfast and in-chalet dining on four evenings it’s been reduced to 9,000chf (up to eight guests, sole occupancy) or 12,000chf (for up to 12 guests, sole occupancy). On a self-catered basis it’s 3,600chf (two-bedroom apartment sleeps four) or 6,600chf (four-bedroom duplex, sleeps eight). Bookings: Matterhorn Chalets.
Christmas and New Year
Meribel Christmas chalet for £649pp with Ski Beat
Stay at the Chalet Renardeaux in Meribel centre for £649pp (it was £1,005pp), including chalet half board, Gatwick flights (Manchester + £20pp), resort transfers, and a traditional Christmas dinner. Departure is December 22. Bookings: Ski Beat.
Val d’Isere New Year chalet from £899pp with Le Ski
With just under a month to go until New Year departures, the operator has now reduced some chalets in all of its resorts to £899pp chalet board including flights and transfers. For example, in Val d’Isere – departing December 30 – it’s now £1,299pp (it was £1,676pp) at Chalet Roc Merlet where four beds are still available; £799pp (it was £863pp) at Chalet Du Berger where six beds are available; and it’s now £879pp (it was as £997pp) at Chalet Angelique where four beds are available. Information: Le Ski.
Courchevel hotel Christmas from £969pp with Inghams
A seven-night ski holiday on a half board basis at Hotel Olympic in Courchevel 1850 is now from £969pp. The price represents a saving of £700pp and includes return train travel from St Pancras, and resort transfers. The package is valid for travel departing on December 22. Bookings: Inghams.
Val Thorens New Year apartment for £1,819 with Erna Low
If you’re looking for snow-sure skiing at New Year then there’s availability in Val Thorens on a self-drive ski holiday. Save 20% on accommodation at residence Le Machu Pichu in a one-bedroom apartment for four to five people over seven nights from December 29. The price includes Eurotunnel Flexiplus crossings for one vehicle, and the total cost is now £1,819. Bookings: Erna Low.
Gressoney family New Year for £849pp with Esprit Ski
Made up of two charming Italian villages, Gressoney is located at the heart of the Monterosa ski area which offers long runs, great mountain restaurants and accessible off-piste. Stay for seven nights at the three-diamond plus Chalet Hotel Valverde from £849pp, a saving of £370pp, departing on December 29 from Gatwick and regional airports. Chalet Hotel Valverde has on-site childcare and is in a convenient location minutes from the village centre. Price includes flights, transfers and chalet catering accommodation with a New Year’s Eve gala dinner with champagne for the adults. Esprit’s childcare is available from £39 per day for children aged between 17 weeks and 12 years old. Bookings: Esprit Ski.
January Skiing
La Plagne January chalet for £441pp with Skiworld
The operator has catered chalet deals in 12 of its Alpine resorts and two US resorts, with departure on January 5, 12, 19, 26 and 30. One of the best of these offers is at Chalet Panoramique in La Plagne, departing on January 5, where seven nights is now £441pp chalet half board including flights and transfers; this is a saving of £441pp. Bookings: Skiworld.
St Martin de Belleville in January for £1,015 with SNO
Save over 50% on a seven-night stay in Hotel St Martin, which has been reduced from £2,161pp to £1,015pp. The boutique four-star hotel in St Martin de Belleville is positioned on the piste and has an a la carte restaurant, outdoor bar, a sauna and steam room. The price includes Bristol flights, transfers and half board, departing on January 19. Bookings: SNO.
The Rest of the Season
Alpe d’Huez from £376pp with Ski Collection
Four-star Le Cristal de l’Alpe in Alpe d’Huez is located in the heart of the resort, 50m from the nearest ski lifts. Facilities at Le Cristal de l’Alpe apartments include a large reception area with open fire, free access to Le Centre Ô des Cimes Spa with its indoor heated swimming-pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness room. There’s 10% off the weeks commencing March 16 to the end of season when booked by December 15. For example, seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment from £376pp (was £413pp) 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 April 13. Bookings: Ski Collection.
Le Grand Bornand from £215pp with Peak Retreats
Le Village de Lessy is a four-star residence located in the centre of Chinaillon village (6km away from the main Grand Bornand village) where most of the ski runs begin. There’s a free private indoor heated swimming-pool with hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness room and a spa centre with a selection of massages and beauty treatments. Save 10% in the weeks commencing March 2 to the end of season when booked by December 15. For example, seven nights in two-bedroom apartment from £215pp (was £234pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings with a free upgrade to FlexiPlus. The price is based on five people sharing a two-bedroom apartment (sleeps up to six) arriving March 30. Bookings: Peak Retreats.
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