Whether in winter or summer, there is nowhere better to spend a week than in the mountains. If you can’t wait for the ski season to start then why not book a holiday in the Alps with cycling, hiking, golf and myriad other activities – or just a bit of relaxation in beautiful surroundings?

We’re starting to see lots of new deals for the ski season, too. So now is the time to grab a bargain and book ahead.

Seefeld from £601pp with Crystal Summer
Stay for seven nights half board at four-star Hotel Kaltschmid in Seefeld with its spa, indoor and outdoor pools, kids pool with slide and a roof-top whirlpool. 
There are guided walks, free bike hire, and a weekly activity programme. 
Free Kindergarten six days per week, eight hours per day for ages three to 12 years. In July and August
 there’s a golf special with a reduction on green fees. From £601pp (846€) – save £210pp (296€) – departing July 22 from Manchester or Gatwick to Verona including resort transfers, direct flights from other UK main airports available. More details from Crystal Summer.

Morzine cookery clases from £645pp with VIP
Food enthusiasts can head to Morzine for a VIP SKI masterclass, which offers an amazing range of different skills. One of the highlights is learning to make a full UK Christmas dinner from scratch, one of the trickiest juggling days of the year! Prices start at £645pp (908€) in a shared twin room, or £745 (1049€) for single occupancy of a double room. Courses run for a week and start August 30 and September 14. The price includes seven nights’ accommodation in a luxury chalet, all meals and wine with dinner, return resort transfers from Geneva airport, all ingredients for the practical cooking sessions, a cheese-and-wine tasting night and one afternoon activity such as white-water rafting. Flights are not included. For further information visit VIP Ski.

La Mongie from £174pp with Pyrenees Collection
Enjoy a summer break in the Hautes-Pyrenees staying at the Residence Tourmalet apartments in La Mongie with the Pic du Midi cable-car 500m away. You’ll receive 10% off seven-night stays or 30% off 14-night stays. For example, for seven nights self-catering with four people sharing and including midweek ferry crossings you’ll now pay around £174pp. More details from Pyrenees Collection.

Alpe d’Huez e-mountain biking from 42€ per day

If you want to take in the views, whether it’s on a gentle trail winding through the hills or something a little more adventurous, e-bikes help give that extra boost where it’s needed. Ideal for novices looking to explore everything, e-bikes are available to hire from several shops in Alpe d’Huez starting from €42 (£30) per day. MCF School of Cycling also offers entry-level e-bike sessions for those looking to master the battery-assisted biking fun. For more information visit Alpe d’Huez tourism.

Next Winter

Les Deux Alpes for £989pp with Snowfinders
There’s 15% off at all-inclusive hotels in a range of resorts including Les Deux Alpes, Val d’Isere, Peisey-Vallandry, Val Thorens, Pragelato in the Milky Way, Valmorel, Les Arcs, and La Plagne. Prices include flights, resort transfers, full board accommodation, bar snacks and unlimited drinks, lift passes, tuition and ski guiding, childcare, non-ski activities, entertainment, and tips. Flights are from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Scotland. For example, a week in Les Deux Alpes departing January 30 from Gatwick is now £989pp (1393€) – was £1,187 (1172€). Further information from Snowfinders.

Les Gets Christmas from £704pp with Esprit Ski
This year why not let someone else take care of the domestic chores at Christmas? A week beginner December 20 now costs from £704pp (991€) based on a family of four (two adults and two children at £2,816 – or 3966€ – in total) and includes seven nights staying at Chalet Karine in Les Gets with return flights, resort transfers, catered accommodation, free wifi, and free weekly baby-listening/child patrol all included. Esprit Classic Child Care is also available at an extra cost. Further details from Esprit Ski.

Tignes apartment for £1,131 with Erna Low
Stay for a week at Residence Santa Terra in Tignes, with the holiday starting on January 2. A two-bedroom six-person apartment now costs £1,131 (1593€) for the entire apartment (including a 15% discount). Further details are available from Erna Low.

Les Carroz from £387pp with Peak Retreats
Stay eight nights for the price of seven at the four-star luxury apartments, Les Chalets de Jouvence in Les Carroz in the Grand Massif ski area linked with Flaine. The property has an indoor heated pool, on-site ‘O des Cimes’ spa centre and is within close proximity of the slopes and a drag-lift. The cost is from £387pp (546€). This is based on six people sharing a two-bedroom apartment and includes return Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrades for eight nights. More information from Peak Retreats.

St Anton from £729pp with Ski Total
Enjoy an early season ski week in St Anton staying at Chalet Thebe from £729pp (1027€) – was £819pp (1153€) commencing January 3. Also on offer is a 20% discount on ski or board hire for the week. The Thebe is close to the Nasserein gondola and the chalet has its own wellness area. The price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, resort transfers, free wifi and eight nights chalet catered accommodation. Details from Ski Total.

Zermatt from £1,231 with Matterhorn Chalets
Ski Zermatt, which is a pretty snow-sure resort in early season with skiing up to 3880m. Chalet Ulysse is fully catered to gourmet standard with all drinks and a mountain guide or instructor and transfers to/from Zermatt station. The holiday starts on December 13 for seven nights, with 12 guests on sole occupancy. The price is £1,231pp (1734€). More information from Matterhorn Chalets.

Tignes from £375pp with Ski Collection
Doorstep skiing from Tignes-Le-Lac is available if you stay at the luxury residence Le Telemark. The apartments are situated at the entrance of the resort on the Bleuet ski slope and have a private indoor heated swimming-pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and fitness room. Book before October 31 and you’ll receive 10% off the weeks of December 19 to February 2. The new price is from £375pp (529€) based on six people sharing a one-bedroom alcove apartment and including return Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrades for seven nights. Further details from Ski Collection.