The best accommodation for the key dates next season is likely to sell out by September. This is particularly the case for resorts like Meribel, Val d’Isere and Courchevel, so it’s not too early to start thinking about your winter holiday now.

But if you can’t wait for the ski season to come around then why not book a holiday in the Alps with some cycling or MTB, hiking, golf and myriad other activities – or just a bit of relaxation among gorgeous surroundings?

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.

Due to reader demand, we now have our ski holiday prices in euros (with the exchange rate correct at the time of writing), although you should contact tour operators direct for a quote that doesn’t include travel from the UK.

Morzine girls MTB week for £599pp with Driftriding Holidays
This is for keen female bikers who just want to have fun in a largely testosterone-free environment! The week runs from August 29 to September 5 and is based in a five-star catered chalet in the centre of Morzine (with its own cinema, sauna, great views and a bike garage). The package includes five mornings of guided coaching (including technique and bike maintenance), a 30-minute in-chalet sports massage each day, a six-day lift pass, the services of a bike mechanic and transfers from Geneva. All for £599pp (831€) with Driftriding run in association with Diva Descent.

Soll for £169pp with Thomson Lake & Mountains
Spend a week in Soll in the Tirol, staying B&B at the two-star Hotel Rubin for £169pp (234€), saving £360pp (499€). Departure is June 20 from Gatwick to Salzburg, including flights on Thomson Airways and resort transfers. More information is available from Thomson Lakes & Mountains.

Val Cenis cycling fortnight from £194pp with Peak Retreats
In Val Cenis there are some great cycling spots across the Parc de la Vanoise. It is also close to St Jean de Mauriennne where stage 18 of the Tour De France passes through. Val Cenis itself holds a big bike race, the Transmaurienne on August 5-9. Stay for two weeks in Les Chalets de Flambeau from £94pp (130€) – that’s a saving of 30% – based on five people sharing a two-bedroom apartment and including mid-week ferry crossings. Price includes access to the swimming-pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam and fitness rooms, and one underground parking space per apartment. More details from Peak Retreats.

Le Grand Bornand apartment from 390€
Stay for seven nights from July 4 in a studio apartment at Residence L’Androsace in the pretty village of Le Grand Bornand, 20 minutes from Lake Annecy. It costs from 390€ (about £283) for a family of two adults and two children, and includes unlimited access to the summer lifts and the water park. More information and other dates and properties also available from Le Grand Bornand Reservation.

Avoriaz apartment from £676 with Pierre & Vacances
Save 29% during the school holidays in Avoriaz. Pierre & Vacances five-star Premium Residence L’Amara is situated in the recently developed L’Amara area of the resort with new restaurants, bars and shops. The residence also has its own swimming-pool and spa. It is located near Aquariaz, Europe’s highest waterpark featuring natural tropical vegetation and temperatures, a central pool area with a gently flowing river, climbing walls and a large swimming-pool. A water playhouse is ideal for smaller children and features slides, water guns and a paddling pool. Prices start from £676 (937€) – down from £965 (1337€), saving 29% – for seven nights in a one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people. This price is based on August 1 arrivals. For more information visit Pierre & Vacances.

Zell am See for £449pp with Crystal Summer
Stay for a week at three-star Hotel Garni Edelweiss in the beautiful lakeside town of Zell am See. Accommodation is room only and the price is £449pp (save £320pp). The departure date is June 20 from Gatwick to Verona with Thomson Airways, with resort transfers also included. Further details from
Crystal Summer.

Cauterets apartment from £498 with Pyrenees Collection
Spend a summer week in the spa town of Cauterets in the Hautes-Pyrenees. The price is from £498 (689€) for an apartment sleeping five people, and includes mid-week ferry crossings, departing August 22. Bookings and more details are available from Pyrenees Collection.

Next Winter

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Christmas Cabin from £739pp with Santa’s Lapland
Santa’s Lapland has some new Christmas Cabins that sleep up to 10 people with prices starting at £739pp (1025€) for a Santa’s Magic package of three days/two nights, including flights, resort transfers, half board accommodation in a log cabin with your own Santa’s Helper to look after you, and free thermal boots and clothing rental. Also included are activities such as a snowmobile search for Santa’s home, a private meeting with the man in red for each family, husky and reindeer sled rides, visiting the Elves and Igloo Fantasia, as well as various snow and ice fun activities. For more information visit Santa’s website.

Free Espace Killy and 3 Valleys lift passes with Le Ski
If you book by July 31 and use a Le Ski flight for the following dates: December 20; January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 – the whole of your party will get free lift passes. That’s a free Espace Killy pass in Val d’Isere and a free 3 Valleys pass in Courchevel or La Tania. Further information from Le Ski.

Val Thorens for £294pp with Erna Low
Save 15% on some fabulous accommodation in Val Thorens by taking advantage of the quiet slopes and early-season snow in this high-altitude resort. Stay for seven nights in the Residence Koh-I-Nor, including return Eurotunnel crossings with Flexiplus upgrades for £294pp (407€) based on four people sharing. The residence has ski-to-door access, an indoor swimming-pool and a lavish spa. The holiday departs December 12, and you’ll need to book before October 1 to take advantage of the offer. More information from Erna Low.

Paradiski lift pass upgrade with Esprit Ski
Belle Plagne is situated in the vast skiing area of Paradiski, and for three weeks during the season, there is an offer of a free upgrade from the local lift pass to the full Paradiski area pass for adults, giving a saving of £34 (47€). The offer is available on the weeks commencing January 31, March 13 and 20. Visit Esprit Ski for further details.

Les Gets from £929pp with VIP Ski
You can now save £200pp (277€) at Altitude Lodge in Les Gets for the saver weeks of January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, or March 13 provided you book before October 31. The property sleeps 19 to 29 people and is located right on the piste, next to the lifts. Residents have exclusive use of two small private lounges, and there is a piste-side bar, terrace and lunchtime restaurant open to the public during the daytime. Prices for seven nights chalet board start at £929pp (1287€) – down from £1,129pp (1564€) and include return flights from Gatwick, resort transfers, full bar serving drinks and coffee (local charge). For more information visit VIP Ski.

Half price lift pass in 17 resorts with Ski Total
There are half price lift passes in 17 resorts for a limited time. This applies to all adult passes, on any type of pass (area or local) and is valid alongside other specials deals such as group discounts and offers of up to 50% on ski equipment rental. The offer applies to new bookings only. Visit Ski Total for more details.