I’m starting my Deals page this week with a quote from tour operator, Andy Sturt:
“The people have spoken and the good citizens of the United Kingdom have voted to leave the EU. Here at VIP Ski we don’t have a view on such matters, however we do recognise that some people will be very happy, some very depressed, some very confused and some not bothered at all.
“It seems that we are in for a period of some market turbulence as we adjust to new realities and whilst we know that for some of you booking your ski holiday is the last thing on your mind right now, we would just like to reassure you that we will still be here when you do come round to wanting to book…”
Meanwhile, if you like the idea of some much-needed relaxation in the health mountain air, you could try some cycling or MTB, hiking, golf and myriad other activities.
Also see our advice on keeping fit between ski seasons and the best resorts for summer skiing for tips on where to go over the next few months.
Saint Lary apartment from £297 with Erna Low
Stay for seven nights at Les Rives de l’Aure residence in St Lary in the Hautes-Pyrenees, which now costs from £297 in a studio four-person apartment on selected dates in December, January and from March 25 onwards. The locations is 100m away from the cable-car or gondola and next door to the thermal spa. This price includes a 20% early booking discount for bookings made by November 2. Self drive or fly, transfers can be booked on request. Bookings: Erna Low.
Val d’Isere early season skiing from £899pp with Inghams
In a prime location in the centre of Val d’Isere, Chalet Hotel Le Savoie provides a very comfortable retreat. Stay for seven nights with chalet catering from £899pp departing December 9. The price includes return flights from Gatwick to Geneva and resort transfers. Bookings: Inghams.
St Anton family Christmas from £2,238 with VIP
Children go free this Christmas when they stay with two fully paying adults in the family rooms at Hotel Montjola in St Anton, and new Hotel Theodul in Lech. Book before June 30 to take advantage of the offer. Hotel Montjola is located just above the two main lifts and a short stroll from the village centre. A week’s stay arriving December 19 is from £1,119pp – which is a total of £2,238 total – for a family of four, and includes seven nights’ catered accommodation, Gatwick flights and coach transfers. Bookings: VIP Ski.
Tignes January trip from £279pp with Ski Collection
There’s 10% off in Tignes if you book before October 31. Stay for seven nights in Le Nevada, from £297pp – it was £330pp. This luxury residence has a spa and indoor swimming-pool and is positioned at the heart Val Claret, 150m from the slopes and 300m from the apres-ski and shopping area. This holiday is for the week of January 7 and includes Eurotunnel crossings. Bookings: Ski Collection.
Courmayeur family half term from £2,090pp with Butler & Lloyd
Courmayeur is a 90-minute drive from Geneva airport, families can check into the five-star Grand Hotel Courmayeur. Throughout the week, the tour operator will be there to organise equipment hire, ski passes, babysitting, book the best tables for lunch, and run their children’s club. Best of all are the chartered a private return flights from Farnborough airport to Geneva. All this is included in the Happy Families Programme to Courmayeur on February 11-18. From £2,090pp (£8,360 in total – it was £8,840), so a saving of 5% for a family of four including private flights, transfers and half-board accommodation. Bookings: Butler & Lloyd.
Samoens apartment from £269 with Lagrange Holidays
Save 20% on one-week stays between January 7-February 4, and March 4-April 15 at Les Fermes de Samoens in Samoens. This family-friendly, self-catering residence is a good value base for discovering the Grand Massif ski area. Prices start from £269 per unit per week, based on accommodation-only, if booked before August 29. Bookings: Lagrange Holidays.
Belle Plagne apartment from £339 with Pierre & Vacances
Les Constellations residence is located in the centre of Belle Plagne, a car-free, family friendly resort in the Paradiski area. Apartments in the four-star ski-in, ski-out residence are all south-facing and come with a balcony or terrace. The hotel is a short stroll from the ski school meeting point, and gives easy access to the shops. A week’s self-catered stay in a studio apartment sleeping five people is priced from £339 per apartment – down from £453, so a saving of 25%. Price applies to weeks beginning December 10, January 7 and 14, April 8 and 15. Bookings: Pierre & Vacances.
Alpe d’Huez all season from £369pp with Madame Vacances
With its extensive slopes at high altitude, efficient lift system and lively apres-ski, Alpe d’Huez is an good winter destination. Situated 500 metres from the resort centre, Les Chalets de L’Altiport offers easy access to the slopes, bars, restaurants and shops. A week’s stay costs from £367pp – or £4,399 total – for a five-bedroom self-catered chalet sleeping up to 12 people. Bookings: Madame Vacances.
Summer in The Alps
Kitzbuhel for £479pp, saving £320pp
Enjoy a week at the luxurious Hotel Schloss Lebenberg in Kitzbuhel – the former castle has a spa, rooftop pool, sauna, steam room and gym. Stay seven nights half board from £479pp, saving £320pp, and departing July 6. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Salzburg and resort transfers. Bookings: Inghams.
Samoens fortnight for £278pp with Peak Retreats
Save £130 in Samoens, staying for 14 nights at Reine des Prés, at £278pp. This comfortable residence is located within walking distance of the village main square. The holiday is for the week starting July 9 and includes ferry crossings. Bookings: Peak Retreats.
Seefeld from £467pp with Thomson Lakes
A week’s half board at the three-star Hotel Batzenhausl in Seefeld is now available from £467pp – save £200pp – including flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort transfers departing on July 16. Direct flights available from all major UK airports at a supplement starting from £20. Bookings: Thomson Lakes.
Chamonix guided mountain biking tours for £820pp with Chamonix AllYear
Seven nights in Chamonix is now £820 – it was £972pp – in the beautifully furnished self-catered apartment Edelweiss with shared outdoor parking. The property is situated right in the centre of Chamonix along the river and close to all the shops, restaurants, and bars. The offer is for July 10-17 and July 24-31, based on the whole apartment sleeping six people, but activities are at extra cost. Bookings: Chamonix AllYear.
The Snow certainly does go on, with surely a few twists, turns & tweaks as the Brexit reaction unfolds. The snow will come, the people will wish to ski. Vive le ski!!