So is it good out there in the Alps right now? In France last week it rained the proverbial chats et chiens. Now it’s stopped, the sun is shining, and if you haven’t already booked an early ski holiday, go for it now.
The deluge – and it really was just that – means that up to a metre of snow that previously fell at village level across the Alps has been washed away. Basements flooded, but if it had fallen as snow, we’d have a serious avalanche problem right now. Ski resorts across Europe are firing up their lift systems. Up on high (our advice is always grab altitude for Christmas) conditions are STUPENDOUS.
Don’t take our word for it…let the pictures speak. Here’s Val d’Isere on its opening weekend. Ok, you can only ski with difficulty back to the village – better to download, but who cares?
It’s chilling down, with a bit of luck all these deals will pay dividends by next weekend. Meanwhile, here are some offers to whet your appetite.
Most of the major operators still have ski holiday deals available throughout the winter, and it’s also worth having a peek at what the ski specialist travel agencies have on offer. You should also contact tour operators direct if you want a quote that doesn’t include travel.
If you’re flying from Gatwick, don’t forget to reserve your airport parking at least 24 hours before you go. Cophall Parking has some offers especially for Welove2ski readers.
Early Season Skiing
Les Menuires and Reberty for £399pp with Powder n Shine
From December 10 there is last-minute availability in Les Menuires, including accommodation at Flocon des Neiges from Tuesday December 13-20. Te price is now £399pp, which has been reduced from £695pp (savings of £296pp). Bookings: Powder n Shine.
Val d’Isere early skiing from £599pp with VIP Ski
Ski-in ski-out Bellevarde Lodge Muscat is a traditional stone-and-timber chalet located on the edge of the Santons piste in Val d’Isere, which sleeps up to 12 people in six bedrooms. Priced from £599pp for seven nights’ chalet board accommodation, including return flights from Gatwick, resort transfers, arriving December 5. Bookings: VIP Ski
La Tania for £399pp with Ski Amis
Spend a week at Chalet Titania in La Tania for £399pp – it was £769pp. The holiday starts on December 17, 18 or 19 (you can choose) and includes chalet half board but no travel. The operator has other offers in the resort, as well as in chalets at La Plagne, Les Menuires and Les Arcs. Bookings: Ski Amis.
Christmas and New Year
Tignes for £512pp with Ski Collection
There’s 25% off Friday to Friday Christmas Skiing in Tignes, staying seven nights for £512pp (it was £666pp). The four-star accommodation Le Taos has decor that’s been inspired by Native American style. You’ll have free, unlimited access to the private indoor heated pool, sauna and leisure centre. The hotel has a spa, French Steak House, lounge-bar, as well as secure ski lockers. The price is based on four people sharing a two-bedroom self-catered apartment (sleeps four), arriving December 23; includes Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrades. Bookings: Ski Collection.
Arc 1950 from £312pp with Pierre & Vacances
Premium Residence Arc 1950 Le Village is a ski-in ski-out residence with access to swimming-pools, fitness room, sauna, hammam and Deep Nature Spa. Priced from £312pp (£1,249 per apartment, down from £1,820 so a saving of 31%) for a seven-night self-catered stay in an apartment in Les Arcs that sleeps up to four people arriving December 19. Bookings: Pierre & Vacances.
Megeve from £390pp with Stanford Skiing
There’s an extra £30 off per person for Christmas, New Year and January 3-8 in Megeve. That’s on top of 20% off already being offered at New Year. That means a nine-day holiday over Christmas starts from £520pp, a week at New Year from £650pp, and a five-day break on January 308 from £390pp in catered chalet-hotel Sylvana. Bookings: Stanford Skiing.
Les Gets for £591pp with Ski Weekends
Departing December 22 from Southend Airport you can enjoy three days’ Christmas skiing whilst staying at the three-star Chalet La Congee in Les Gets. It now costs £591pp – it was £691pp. The price includes flights, resort transfers and chalet board. Bookings: Ski Weekends.
Tignes for £234.25pp with Erna Low
Stay six or seven nights at the Taos Apartment Suites in Tignes for early season ski holiday with 25% off and guaranteed skiing. These brilliantly situated ski-in ski-out apartments are in Tignes le Lac. The price is now £937 for the apartment which sleeps four – with departure on December 17 for six nights, with the option to arrive on December 16 and stay for seven nights at no extra cost (a total saving of up to £478). Eurotunnel and flights are available on request. Bookings: Erna Low.
Chamonix from £733pp with Inghams
Stay eight nights on a chalet board basis at the 3.5-diamond Chalet Hotel Sapiniere in Chamonix from £733pp, which is a saving of £431pp. The price includes a New Year’s Eve special menu, return flights from Gatwick to Geneva and resort transfers, departing on December 30. Bookings: Inghams.
Chamrousse for £230pp with Peak Retreats
There’s 15% off Christmas Skiing in Chamrousse with seven nights for £230pp (was £271pp) staying at Ecrin des Neiges. The three-star apartments are set in a sunny position on the slopes, with doorstep skiing. The price is based on five people sharing a two-bedroom self-catered apartment (sleeps six) on the week commencing December 24, and includes Eurotunnel crossings with free FlexiPlus upgrades. Bookings: Peak Retreats.
Zermatt from £995pp with Matterhorn Chalets
Ski Zermatt – Europe’s most snow sure resort – over Christmas with piste skiing up to 3880m. Stay in Chalet Ulysse, which is fully catered to gourmet standard, with a transfer to/from Zermatt station for £995pp. The holiday departs December 20 and is for seven nights, based on eight people with sole occupancy (option for sleeping 12). Bookings: Matterhorn Chalets.
The Rest of the Season
Lech from £739pp with Ski Total
There’s a brand new Arlberg link between Lech and St Anton this season, making it Austria’s largest ski area. Take advantage of the area’s 305km of downhill skiing with 87 lifts and cableways, and all this gorgeous snow. Chalet Hotel Montfort is now from £739pp (was £959pp) travelling on the January 8. This delightful chalet hotel is home to a wellness centre and has a traditional Austrian interior, and is two minutes’ walk from the bustling resort centre. This price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, transfers, free wifi, free ski hosting and seven nights catered accommodation. Bookings: Ski Total.
Meribel half term from £1,086pp with SNO
Save over 30% on February half term holidays, with Meribel’s Chalet Serpolet currently available for £1,086pp (37% discount, it was £1,726pp). The holiday departs on February 11 and includes Gatwick flights, airport transfers and seven nights catered chalet accommodation. The chalet is in a terrific location in Meribel Centre and has a games room, sauna and outdoor hot tub. Bookings: SNO.
Peisey from £525pp with Esprit Ski
This winter, take your family to the quiet ski village of Plan-Peisey, in the ski area shared by La Plagne and Les Arcs. Stay in the stylish Chalet Castor from £525pp. This comfortable chalet boasts a superb central location and great spa facilities including an outdoor hot tub overlooking the valley. This price is based on a family of four, (two adults and two children aged two to ten years) at £2,099 travelling on January 8, and includes return flights from Gatwick to Geneva, transfers, free wifi and seven nights chalet catered accommodation. Esprit Classic Child Care is available from £215 for a week. Bookings: Esprit Ski.
Norway from £126pp with Crystal Ski
Spend a week’s self catering at the three-star Hovi Cabins in Beitostolen in Norway from £126pp (based on four sharing, so the total is £504) including flights from Gatwick to Fagernes and transfers (price is for departure on January 15). From Tuesday November 29 until the day before departure – or until availability runs out – there’s a 241 Lift Pass offer in Beitostolen, Hemsedal and Geilo (adult lift passes only). They are valid on January 15, 22 and 29, giving a saving of up to another £73. Bookings: Crystal Ski.
Tignes from £375pp with Butler & Lloyd
Located in the centre of Tignes Le Lac, Hotel Taos offers ski-in ski-out accommodation, a ski-hire shop on site, spectacular views of the Aiguille Percee and the ability to have all the services of a hotel in an apartment – making it ideal for families. The hotel has a recently refurbished restaurant, La Mesa Verde, plus a brand-new spa with an indoor pool, sauna and hammam. A week’s stay in a self-catering apartment costs from £375pp (£1,500 total) based on a family of four sharing. Travel and food are extra. Bookings: Butler & Lloyd.
Niseko, Japan from £2,650pp with Ski Safari
Located in upper Hirafu village just a short walk from the chair-lifts, Chalet Ivy is a well-appointed boutique hotel. Ski passes cover the four interlinked areas above Niseko Village, Hirafu, Annupuri and Hanazono. There are groomed runs for every level, as well as night skiing until 9pm. A week’s stay B&B costs from £2,650pp, if booked by November 30 for departure on January 28. There is an extra 10% off when you book seven nights or more. Price includes return flights and transfers or car hire. Other meals, lift pass and ski hire extra. Bookings: Ski Safari.
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