There are still good bargains to be found over the Christmas and New Year period (in fact, almost half of our deals are for this period), with some tour operators offering Monday, Tuesday and Friday changeover days for the Christmas week – or nine-day holidays for the price of seven over New Year. And to help you save money, one operator is holding its pre-Brexit-referendum exchange rate for lift passes.
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.
You should also contact tour operators direct if you want a quote that doesn’t include travel.
Alternatively, why not take the train instead of flying? Travelling from the UK to the Alps by train is relatively stress-free and certainly eco-friendly. However, finding out how much journeys cost has never been easy because there was nowhere at a glance to check journeys and dates.
There are also lots of indirect journeys that skiers aren’t even aware of, to resorts that they didn’t realise they can reach easily by train.
Live Train Prices launched on October 13, 2016 to coincide with the opening of winter rail bookings.
At a glance, you will be able to view live rail prices for journeys from London to 14 stations in the Alps, serving over 50 ski resorts in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy using the Eurostar – daytime or overnight to the Tarentaise region of France; Eurostar + TGV to resorts in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy; Eurostar via Lyon to resorts in France; and Eurostar + sleeper trains from Paris to several resorts in France and Italy.
Prices for each journey are displayed in tables, with graphics to show the departure and arrival times at each station on the route.
Snowcarbon’s Live Train Prices section accesses fares from rail-booking website Loco2.com, which is in turn a partner of Eurostar and SNCF. Fares shown on Live Train Prices – bookable on Loco2 – are exactly the same as if going directly to Eurostar or SNCF’s websites.
Many of the rail journeys that have now opened for booking are indirect journeys. You’ll have to take a Eurostar to Paris, and change station to board an onward TGV train to the Alps from there. The change of station is easy by pre-booked taxi, as two rather unusually dressed skiers demonstrate here.
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…and here are our latest ski deals:
Megeve Christmas from £550pp with Stanford Ski
Come to Megeve for up to nine days over Christmas or New Year. For example, you can stay from Sunday December 18 until Tuesday December 27 from £550pp. Megeve is magical at Christmas with ice sculptures and huge Christmas trees in its medieval village square. The operator is holding its pre-Brexit exchange rate at 1.28 for lift passes, so you can book your holiday knowing that you will save money. Bookings: Stanford Ski.
Les Arcs from £764pp with SNO
Go ski-inclusive at the Chalet Cicero in Les Arcs, which has a 20% discount plus lift pass, ski rental and boots all included in the price. Seven nights departing Gatwick on March 25 is now from £764pp chalet half board. The chalet sleeps up to eight people and has lovely views from the balcony. This rustic mountain hideaway is set on the hillside just above Arcs 1800. Bookings: SNO.
La Plagne from £979pp with VIP Ski
Enjoy a luxurious ski holiday at family-friendly La Plagne and save £100pp. Beginners pay €29 per day to ski in the CoolSki beginner areas, so they save money on ski passes. Families can stay in the Leman Suite, a stylishly decorated ski-in, ski-out chalet at 2000m altitude, which sleeps up to eight people. Priced from £879pp (down from £979pp, so a saving £100) for a week’s catered accommodation arriving April 23. Price includes return flights from Gatwick, and resort transfers. Bookings: VIP Ski.
La Tania New Year for £999pp with Le Ski
Chalet MarMau in La Tania sleeps 23 people and is now only £999pp chalet half board, with (£500 off the original price. You can stay here over New Year – from Tuesday, December 27 to Tuesday January 3. The price includes flights and resort transfers. Bookings: Le Ski.
Zermatt Christmas from £1,495pp with Matterhorn Chalets
There’s a week’s free lift pass on offer for all children and teenagers staying in Chalet Ulysse during the Christmas week in Zermatt. The chalet is available on December 20-27 from £17,950 (£1,495pp – sleeps 12/option for 8) including UIAGM mountain guide/instructor; six nights fine dining/early kids tea, plus all beverages. Bookings: Matterhorn Chalets.
La Plagne for £399pp with Ski Beat
Grab some early season skiing on December 10 in Plagne 1800, where you can save £100pp staying in traditional Chalet Bartavelle close to the lifts and the nightlife. The price of £399pp includes return Gatwick flights, resort transfers, and chalet half board. Bookings: Ski Beat.
Whistler from £1,399pp with Ski Independence
Stay 10 nights in Whistler from £1,399pp, with accommodation at the four-star-plus Delta Whistler Village Suites. This price includes a 30% early booking discount and a complimentary $50 breakfast voucher if you book by November 15. Departure is April 1, including Air Canada flights from Heathrow, Free ski carriage and shared transfers, based on four people sharing a two-bedroom suite. Bookings: Ski Independence.
Les Gets family trip for £1,399 with Ski Famille
Stay in Les Gets pre-Christmas with accommodation at the newly-renovated Chalet Bacall for £1,399 for a family of four. The chalet has a hot tub and is one minutes’ walk to the slopes. Other offers are available in Reberty-les-Menuires and La Plagne. Bookings: Ski Famille.
Ax les Thermes for £394pp with Ski Weekends
There’s a four-night stay in Ax les Thermes in the French Pyrenees for £394pp (Thursday – Monday) departing on January 26. Alternatively, you can fly on January 5 for four nights and stay at the same hotel for £349pp. The price includes B&B accommodation in the two-star hotel Le Chalet in Ax. Half-board upgrades are available from £18pp per night. There’s also a buy-one-get-one-free lift pass (valid outside of French school holiday) for all bookings made up until the end of October. Bookings: Ski Weekends.
St Anton whole chalet at Christmas for €10,500 with Kaluma Travel
Stay four nights at Chalet Narnia in St Anton for €10,500 (it was €16,500) on December 22-26. The chalet sleeps up to 12 people, and there’s a three-day lift pass included for each person. The price also includes private transfers from Innsbruck, one day’s ski guiding, and all food and drinks. The chalet also has a sauna and an outdoor hot tub. Bookings: Kaluma Travel.
Arc 1950 from £187pp with P&V
Join the opening weekend and the start of the European Film Festival, whilst at the same time saving 22% at Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Le Village in Arc 1950. The village is car-free and home to eight residences, each with its own style and all of them five-star rated. The apartments are spacious and comfortable with a balcony or terrace and all the residences are ski-in, ski-out. You can relax after a hard day on the slopes in the Deep Nature Spa®. Priced from £187pp, or £747 per self-catered apartment that sleeps up to four people, arriving December 10. Bookings: Pierre & Vacances.
Morzine New Year for £952pp with Alpine Elements
Make your New Year skiing last longer eight nights for the price of seven, saving you up to £210pp in resorts including Morzine, Les Gets and St Anton. Top deals include Morzine from December 31, costing £952pp in Hotel Les Dents Blanches, B&B with a hot tub, 400m from the slopes. The trip includes flights and transfers, plus there’s 50% off ski and board hire. Groups of six or more get up to £100 off, and children two to 12 years receive £50 to £75 off. Bookings: Alpine Elements.
La Rosiere New Year for £464pp with Peak Retreats
Stay seven nights for £464pp at Les Cimes Blances in La Rosiere. The four-star self-catered family-friendly apartments have door-step skiing and are located in the Quartier des Eucherts area. You can use the Ô des Cimes Spa as well as the swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness room. The price is based on the week of December 27 to January 3. Apartment prices are based on five people sharing a two-bedroom self-catered apartment (sleeping six). Accommodation-only holiday packages also available. Ski packs, insurance and transfers also bookable. Bookings: Peak Retreats.
Arc 1950 Christmas from £440pp with Erna Low
On Christmas Eve, Santa will appear by zip wire during the special Christmas week in Arc 1950. Stay seven nights from £440pp in a two-bedroom apartment for up to six people, including Eurotunnel crossings and arriving on December 22. Flexible dates are also available. Bookings: Erna Low.
Tignes New Year for £499pp with Ski Collection
Stay seven nights for £499pp at Kalinda Village in Tignes 1800. The four-star self-catered family-friendly apartments have door-step skiing yet are located in the centre of the village. You can use the Ô des Cimes Spa as well as the swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness room. Price based on the week of December 27 to January 3. Apartment prices are based on five people sharing a two-bedroom self-catered apartment (sleeping six). Accommodation-only holiday packages also available. Ski packs, insurance and transfers also bookable. Bookings: Ski Collection.
French resorts from £161 per apartment with Lagrange
Book before October 23 to benefit from discounts of up to 30% on week-long stays between January 7 and April 22 at selected accommodation in a wide variety of French ski resorts. The offer includes selected apartments in Les Gets, Argentiere, Hauteluce, Brides-les-Bains, Pralognan-la-Vanoise and Valmeinier in the Alps and in Ax-les-Thermes, Les Angles and Cauterets in the Pyrenees, as well as February half-term and Easter departures (subject to availability). Accommodation-only prices start at £161 per apartment per week, based on an alcove studio sleeping up to four at Le Domaine des 100 Lacs in Cauterets. Bookings: Lagrange Holidays.
Courchevel family Christmas from £2,771 with Ski Total
Stay at Chalet Cascades in Courchevel from £2,139 (was £2,771) for a family of four, departing December 23. The chalet is in a superb location opposite the main gondola and piste. The price is based on two adults and two children aged two to 15 years in a twin shared room, and includes return flights from Gatwick to Geneva, transfers, free wifi, and seven nights catered accommodation including a full Christmas dinner.
There are also 2-for-1 Children’s Places this Christmas and New Year, valid for departures on December 23 and 30. Also, those travelling at New Year receive nine nights for the price of seven, making it even better value. Bookings: Ski Total.
La Rosiere from £429pp and free theme park pass with Esprit
Stay in the family friendly resort of La Rosiere where a week in Chalet Arnica is now from £429pp. This popular chalet has great views and access to a sauna. The price is based on a family of four, (two adults and two children aged two to ten years) from £1,715 travelling out on the December 16, and includes return flights from Heathrow to Geneva, transfers, free wifi and seven nights catered accommodation. Esprit Classic Child Care is available from £215 for a week.
Esprit is also offering a free family pass to a choice of Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park or Alton Towers with any ski holiday purchased from the new brochure until October 31. Bookings: Esprit Ski.
Val d’Isere from £690pp with Butler & Lloyd
Located close to the centre of Val d’Isere, brand-new Chalet Skadi will open its doors in December. Split into a selection of apartments (sleeping four to 10 people), the property has a spacious living area with a fireplace, and a relaxing spa. It’s five minutes’ walk to the piste or you can catch the bus outside the door. A week’s stay costs from £690pp based on six people sharing a three-bedroom apartment on a self-catering bases. Price includes private taxi transfers from the airport. Return flights (London to Geneva) is at extra cost. Bookings: Butler & Lloyd.
Sainte Foy chalet from £1,085pp with Premiere Neige
Stay nine nights for the price of seven on remaining catered and self-catered Christmas chalets in Sainte Foy. For example, The South Face is available for up to 10 people on December 17-26 from £1,085pp. Or book on a room-by-room basis in luxury chalets The Peak or Grand Solliet on December 18-27 from £1,265pp. Bookings: Premiere Neige.
Hokkaido from £2,495pp with Ski Safari
Home to Japan’s best snow and freshest seafood, the Hokkaido Explorer allows adventurous skiers and snowboarders to experience off-the-beaten-track resorts. Experience Rusutsu, known for its phenomenal powder and beautiful tree runs; Kiroro, with its quiet slopes, wide-open groomers and incredible backcountry; and Furano, famous for its volcanic scenery and traditional Japanese character, before finishing in the city of Tokyo for a full day of sightseeing. The 14-night Hokkaido Explorer Ski Safari costs from £2,495pp including three-star and four-star accommodation, return flights (London to Sapporo Chitose) and transfers. Food is at extra cost. Bookings: Ski Safari.
Les Houches chalet for £2,578 with Chamonix All Year
Chalet Eveland is a charming traditional five-bedroom chalet located in a calm area of Les Houches in the Chamonix area, with a cosy log fire, large dining area and kitchen offering a welcoming environment for large groups and families. The holiday now costs £2,578 (a saving of 10% – it was £2,864). Includes return Geneva airport transfers, seven nights self-catering, six days Mont Blanc Unlimited Family Ski Passes, six days ski hire, a husky sleigh-ride and one hour winter luge. Bookings: Chamonix All Year.
Alpe d’Huez from £243pp with Madame Vacances
With its extensive slopes at high altitude and efficient lift system, Alpe d’Huez is a good choice for a ski holiday for all levels of skier and snowboarder. Situated 500m from the centre of town, Les Chalets de L’Altiport offers easy access to the slopes and the shops. A week’s stay during the winter costs from £243pp (£2,919 in total) for a five-bedroom self-catered chalet sleeping up to 12 people. Bookings: Madame Vacances.
Just booked with Loco2 for before Christmas, a joy to use and very straight foreword. The overall journey is quicker than via the airport! Your recommendation is well founded
Hi Martin, we’re so pleased our recommendation was good. Hope you enjoy your trip!