View from Nid d’Aigle, St Gervais. Photo: (c) monrefugepaysdumontblanc.com

It’s not too late to book a summer holiday in the Alps. The mountains are just as beautiful – some would say ever more so – as in winter. Activities include road biking and mountain biking, swimming in natural lakes, hiking, golf and horse-riding. It’s a great way to keep your ski-fitness levels going!

Make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. 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 a discount just for Welove2ski viewers.

It’s also worth finding out what the specialist travel agencies have on offer in the way of early bookings for next winter, such as SNO, Snowfinders and Ski in Luxury.

Summer Holidays

Selva mountain biking from £649pp with SNO
Among Italy’s UNESCO-protected Dolomites, Hotel Linder in Selva can be booked for seven nights starting at £649pp. The price represents a £415pp saving from the original cost and includes Gatwick flights, transfers and half board, departing on July 20. The three-star hotel is near the Ciaminoi lift and provides mountain biking tours six times a week. Bookings: SNO.
 
Saint Gervais weekly break from £117pp with Peak Retreats
Jut 20 minutes from Chamonix, the market town of Saint Gervais has natural spring waters used in the recently renovated spa and well-being centre which was originally founded over 200 years ago. The Mont Blanc Tramway goes from the town up to Nid d’Aigle (eagle’s nest) at 2380m. Stay at les Arolles three-star-plus apartments, in the quiet area of Le Nérey d’en Haut. Facilities include access to the outdoor heated swimming-pool with sun terrace. Save 25% on one-week stays on the weeks commencing July 20 and 27 when booked by July 8. For example, seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment is £117pp (was £149pp) including standard mid-week return ferry crossings and based on five people arriving July 20. Bookings: Peak Retreats.

Avoriaz from £740 per apartment with P&V
Morzine has a dynamic food and drink scene, with the possibility of visiting local cheesemakers and chocolatiers, and the option to take part in a gastronomic walking tour. A seven-night stay at five-star residence L’Amara in Avoriaz (a 20-minute drive from Morzine) in a one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four, arriving July 19 is now from £740 per apartment / £185pp (was £925 per apartment) not including travel. Bookings: P&V.  

Winter Trips

Champoluc slopes in December 22. Photo: (c) Welove2ski

Champoluc mid-December for £639pp with Ski Total
Spend a week at Chalet Hotel Breithorn in the unspoilt village of Champoluc, departing December 14. The price is £639pp, including chalet catering, Gatwick-Turin flights, and resort transfers. Bookings: Ski Total.

Arc 1950 New Year from £828pp with Erna Low
Save 20% on accommodation in Arc 1950, combining traditional village atmosphere with ski-in ski-out convenience. Book a self-drive package for seven nights from December 28, including standard two-bedroom six-person apartment and Eurotunnel Flexiplus crossings for £3,310 in total or £828pp based on four people sharing (saving a total of £764). Bookings: Erna Low.

Alpe d’Huez January family trip for £2,298 with Esprit Ski
Stay seven nights full board at Hotel Club MMV Les Bergers in Alpe d’Huez. Departure is January 4, and the price is for two adults and one child aged two to five years. Flights from Gatwick to Grenoble are included in the price. Bookings: Esprit Ski.

Avoriaz in early January from £1,319pp with VIP Ski
The largest of the three new chalets in Avoriaz is Chalet Kipnuk, which sleeps up to eight people in three bedrooms. There’s an open-plan living and dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows, and the chalet itself is located above Avoriaz town centre and is convenient for the skiing. A seven-night stay, starting January 5, costs from £1,319pp (save £100). The price includes chalet-board catering, return flights from Gatwick and resort transfers. Bookings: VIP Ski.

Meribel in mid-January for £939pp with Inghams
Spend a week at Chalet Hotel Le Grangettes in Meribel with chalet catering. The price is now £939pp for the week starting January 12 including chalet catering, transfers, and flights from Gatwick to Chambery. Bookings: Inghams.        

Arêches-Beaufort from £167pp with Peak Retreats
The Beaufortain resort of Arêches-Beaufort is located in the heart of the Savoie region of the French Alps, 20km from Albertville. Arêches-Beaufort offers an array of different options from beginners right through to expert skiers, and 20km of marked slopes for cross-country skiing. Stay at La Clé des Cîmes a four-star residence that opened last December, 400m from the resort centre. Facilities include indoor pool, wellness area, and a restaurant is also planned. There’s 20% off weeks commencing January 4, 11, 18 and 25; 15% off week commencing February 29; 10% off weeks commencing December 21 and 29 plus March 21 and 28. For example, seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment is £167pp (was £197pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrade, price based on five sharing on the week commencing January 4. Bookings: Peak Retreats.

Whistler in February from £1,123pp with SNO
Ski Whistler with savings of over £700pp when you book the Crystal Lodge on the week beginning February 22. The price is down from £1,860pp to £1,123pp, and a seven-night package includes Heathrow flights and resort transfers. The four-star Crystal Lodge hotel is in the centre of Whistler Village and has an outdoor pool and over 20 shops and restaurants on site. Bookings: SNO.

La Rosiere for Easter from £268pp with Ski Collection
La Rosiere is a family-friendly resort where you can stay at the four-star les Cîmes Blanches apartments in the Quartier des Eucherts area. Facilities include access to the Le Centre Ô des Cimes Spa with indoor pool, wellness area, and treatments available. There’s 10% off all weeks (except arrivals on February 2, 15, 22 – and not applicable to four and five bedroom apartments arriving on December 28). All must be booked by October 31. For example, seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment is £268pp (was £292pp) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrade, and based on five people sharing on the week commencing April 4. Bookings: Ski Collection.