We’re still getting in lots of lovely summer mountain deals for holidays that include biking, rafting and hiking. However, we’re now beginning to see some early booking offers for the 2015-16 ski season, too. Grab one of them while you can!
If you can’t wait for the ski season to come around you could try some cycling or MTB, hiking, golf and myriad other activities – or how about a bit of relaxation in gorgeous Alpine 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.
Alpe d’Huez family holiday from £1,177 with Esprit Sun
Stay in the Chalet Hotel Mariandre in Alpe d’Huez, which offers a wealth of outdoor activities and sports for the whole family. The resort offers a large choice of outdoor activities and sports for all the family and is a centre for cycling and mountain-biking. Family packages include flights from Gatwick, resort transfers, half board accommodation with free packed lunches and free soft drinks for children all day, plus a free day trip to Grenoble. Travelling on July 8, a family of four (two adults plus one infant and one under four-year-old) costs £1,177 (1653€) – saving £487 (684€) which includes free infant travel, free children’s clubs and half price nursery. More information from Esprit Sun.
Les Arcs for £360pp with Erna Low
Spend seven nights at Le Village, Arc 1950, including return flights from London to Geneva and private transfers from the airport to resort for £360pp (506€) – saving 20% and based on six people sharing. The village has a swimming-pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, and offers easy access to the many summer activities in the area. The holiday departs July 25; book before July 1 to take advantage of this offer. Details from Erna Low.
Alpbach for £355pp with Crystal Summer
Guesthouse Furstenhof is a rustic two-star B&B, which is simply furnished and is in a peaceful setting. Walkers will love the location above the main village of Alpbach. It costs £355pp (499€), saving £310pp (435€), for a week departing July 15 from Manchester or Gatwick to Verona, including resort transfers. Further information from Crystal Summer.
Flaine from £12pp per night with Pierre & Vacances
Add a bit of luxury to the summer break in the new five-star residence Les Terrasses d’Helios in Flaine Montsoleil. In line with their new strategy, P&V offers good value luxury accommodation at the heart of the resort. The apartments sleep four to eight people and all feature either a balcony or terrace. There’s a spa area, with treatment rooms, sauna, steam rooms and an indoor swimming-pool. During the summer, there are fun activities for all the family, ranging from mountain biking to white water rafting. Prices from £12pp (17€) per night (saving 30%) for a one-bedroom apartment sleeping four people for seven nights, arriving July 4. Visit Pierre & Vacances for more details.
Lake Garda short break for £625pp with Thomson Lakes
Grand Hotel Gardone is a four-star hotel offering half board. Sitting directly on the waterfront it gives easy access to the ferries to explore the rest of Lake Garda. The large terrace stretches the length of the hotel with beautiful views over the lake, and there’s a swimming-pool in the terraced gardens. It costs £625 (878€), saving £230pp (323€), for four nights departing July 27 from Manchester or Gatwick to Verona, and including resort transfers. Further information from Thomson Lakes.
New cols for cyclists in Alpe d’Huez
Every Tuesday from July 14 a mountain pass in the Alpe d’Huez area will be reserved purely for cyclists to enjoy, without the worry of cars or other vehicles flashing by. Open to everyone from tandem riders to e-bikers and for training professionals and budding athletes alike, this year the Oisans Col Series will be a chance for cyclists from all disciplines to take part in an untimed group ascent. It’s completely free, no registration is required and refreshments are provided at the summit, as well as local products from the Route des Savoir-Faire de l’Oisans. The Oisans Col Series takes place at the Col de Sarenne on July 14 and August 18 from 9am to 12pm, and in Alpe d’Huez on August 4 from 9am to 11am. For further information go to the Oisans Col Series website.
Free mountain access in Val d’Isere
This year Val d’Isere is working with selected tour operators this summer to give skiers the chance to explore the spectacular scenery for free. Guests will receive a discovery pass, giving them access to enjoy unlimited pedestrian access to all lifts, unlimited access to the pool, an accompanied mountain hike, access to the shooting stand, archery, fun park, orienteering, golf and a guided tour on e-bikes. For more details, visit the Val d’Isere website.
Next Winter
Lech from £414pp with Ski Total
Stay for eight days for the price of seven at Chalet Hotel Sonneck in Lech for departures on December 5. It now costs from £414pp (581€) – was £468pp (657€) for the holiday. Also on offer are half-price lift passes and seven days’ ski hire for the price of six – with a 25% discount adding up to a further discount of over £110pp (154€). The Sonneck is a spacious chalet hotel with an indoor swimming-pool and sauna. The price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, resort transfers, free wifi and eight nights chalet catered accommodation. Information from Ski Total.
Gressoney family holiday from £1,562 with Esprit Ski
There are savings of £80 (112€) per adult, £272 (382€) for infants and £207 (291€) for toddlers during BAT (Baby and Toddler) weeks in January. Popular with families is the Chalet Hotel Valverde in Gressoney. Chalet Hotel Valverde is next door to the main ski lift and four minutes’ walk from the village centre and has its own spa area plus dedicated Esprit Child Care. A week commencing January 9 costs from £1,562 (2195€) for a family of four (two adults and one child aged two to four years, and one infant under two) and includes return flights from Gatwick to Turin, resort transfers, catered accommodation, free wifi, free baby-listening/child Pptrol every night, six days’ nursery, an introduction to skiing for toddlers, and daily activity clubs. More details from Esprit Ski.
Family holiday to Santa’s Lapland for £2,089
Early booking offers (50% off children’s prices) to Santa’s Lapland finish at 5pm on June 30. There are accommodation upgrades – these include a holiday at Hotel Tunturi where you’ll be upgraded to a type B Family Suite (sleeps two to four) – that’s a suite with twin bedroom plus sitting room with double sofa bed and a sauna. A Santa’s Magic for three days/two nights for family of three (two adults, one child aged two to five years) departing December 10 from Manchester is £2,089 (2934€) half board. More details from Santa’s Lapland.
Sainte Foy off-piste week for £945pp with Premiere Neige
The off-piste ski week on January 16-23 is a great opportunity to really explore the backcountry of the Tarentaise area, including five mornings of ski coaching and off-piste guiding. The price is £945pp including half board catered accommodation, staying in a chalet in Sainte Foy that has a Jacuzzi. Further information from Premiere Neige.
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