You can’t fail to have noticed the dates of the ski trips on offer for the December holiday period. This year the potential arrival and departure dates are pretty awkward, with the traditional Saturday changeover day making arrival in the resort on Christmas Eve and departure for home on New Year’s Eve.

It’s the same story over New Year when you could find yourself arriving on Christmas Day and going home again on New Year’s Day (both are Sundays). It’s just not that appealing.

With all that in mind, many tour operators are offering Tuesday or Friday travel – or nine days instead of seven – or even short breaks.

And, 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 from the UK.

Last of the Summer Offers

Before going on your ski trip, it’s still possible to fit in a week’s holiday to the Alps…

St Johann Dumpling Festival from £499pp with Inghams
On September 24, the charming market town of St Johann in Tirol celebrates one of Austria’s most popular dishes, during its annual Knödelfest. The largest display of dumplings in 23 different varieties from traditional to modern, and sweet to savoury are presented on a 300m-long table. Join in the festivities with live music late into the night. Stay seven nights at the four-star Hotel Tiefenbrunner in Kitzbuhel, from £499pp, saving £190pp, departing September 21, including return flights from Gatwick to Salzburg and transfers. Kitzbuhel is located 20 minutes from St Johann. Bookings: Inghams Lakes & Mountains.

This Winter

Les Gets family Christmas for £2,949 with Ski Famille
Stay either at Chalet Petit Mouflon or Chalet Grand Mouflon in Les Gets, both with a week’s holiday starting on Friday December 23. Choose to stay in either chalet where it now costs £2,949 for a family of four fully catered including flights and transfers. Bookings: Ski Famille.

Megeve Christmas from £550pp with Stanford Skiing
Stay for nine days for the price of five over Christmas in Megeve. Stay from Sunday December 18 to Tuesday December 27 starting at £550pp in catered chalet-hotel Sylvana. Megeve is magical at Christmas with its ice sculptures, medieval village square and huge Christmas trees. Bookings: Stanford Skiing.

Whistler early December from £1,275pp with Erna Low
Stay eight nights from £1,275pp – a saving of 40% on the accommodation price provided you book by November 15. Accommodation is at the Weston Resort & Spa in Whistler Village. The price includes return flights from Heathrow to Vancouver with Air Canada, and resort transfers. This is based on double occupancy in a deluxe studio suite, departing on December 7. There are also big savings on lift passes and kids ski free offers available. Bookings: Erna Low.

Tignes New Year from £899pp with Inghams
Stay eight nights chalet catering for the price of seven at the three-and-a-half-diamond Chalet Hotel Le Curling in Tignes from £899pp, saving £450pp. Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Chambery and resort transfers, departing on Friday December 30. In addition you’ll receive 100€ bar credit per couple and the option to purchase a buy-one-get-one half price lift pass (valid on Espace Killy adult lift passes only, when pre-booked before departure). Bookings: Inghams.

Courchevel early January from £1,179pp with VIP Ski
Just a few steps from the Bellecote piste in Courchevel 1850, Chalet Aval sleeps eight people in four bedrooms which are decorated in Savoyard style. Priced from £1,179pp (it was £1,279pp, so that’s a saving of £100pp) for seven nights’ catered accommodation based on two people sharing, return flights from Gatwick, transfers to and from the resort arriving January 8. Bookings: VIP Ski.

La Rosiere low season holiday from £203pp with Peak Retreats
Stay seven nights at Chalet Les Marmottons in La Rosiere, which is located a short walk from the slopes and the spa facilities at Lodge Hemera. Book before October 31 to save 10% on self-drive prices which are now from £203pp (normal price is £226pp) self-catering. The holiday includes return Eurotunnel crossings and prices are based on the week commencing January 7. Bookings: Peak Retreats.

Meribel January trip from £595pp with Fish&Pips
Stay in a chalet at the heart of Meribel Village with quick and easy access to the village amenities and slopes via the du Golf chair-lift. Seven nights in Chalet Corblettes (sleeps 8 in 4 twin/double rooms) from £595pp. Price includes six days full chalet catering and private minibus transfers. Departing January 7 or 14. Bookings: Fish&Pips.

Peisey-Vallandry in January for £206pp with Ski Collection
There’s 10% off skiing in Peisey-Vallandry (in the Paradiski area) when you book before October 31. Stay seven nights for £206pp at four-star L’Oree des Neiges (it was £229pp). This small, family-friendly building of 23 apartments is located within walking distance (300m) from the village centre of Vallandry and offers doorstep skiing. This is based on five people sharing a two-bedroom self-catered apartment, including transport, on the week commencing January 7. Bookings: Ski Collection.

Val d’Isere early December from £130pp with Pierre & Vacances
Three-star Residence La Daille is situated at the foot of the slopes at the entrance to Val d’Isere where you can quickly access the main ski lifts. Priced from £130pp (£521 per apartment – it was £682, so a saving of 23%) for a seven-night self-catered stay in an apartment that sleeps up to four people arriving December 3 or 10. Bookings: Pierre & Vacances.

Park City and Heavenly from £2,035pp with Ski Safari
This season you can combine Park City with six other resorts, ranging from Jackson Hole to Lake Tahoe. For example, a Park City and Heavenly twin centre holiday costs from £2,035pp for a 14-night trip with lift pass included. The price includes return flights with Delta (London to Reno via Salt Lake City) shared return transfers to Park City, seven nights’ B&B accommodation at three-star Landmark Inn, seven nights’ B&B accommodation at three-star Best Western Station House Inn, SUV car hire and an Epic Local pass with unlimited skiing at both resorts. Bookings: Ski Safari.

Val Thorens Easter skiing from £3,020pp with Butler & Lloyd
The brand-new Happy Families programme to Val Thorens (from March 25 to April 1 or April 1-8) is priced from £3,020pp (£12,080 in total) for a family of four (two adults and two children), and includes half-board accommodation, return flights (Farnborough to Chambéry) and coach transfers. Bookings: Butler & Lloyd.

Alpe d’Huez from £243pp with Madame Vacances
Situated 500m from the centre of Alpe d’Huez, Les Chalets de L’Altiport offers easy access to the slopes, bars, restaurants and shops. A week’s stay during the winter season costs from £243pp (£2,919 in total) for a five-bedroom self-catered chalet sleeping up to 12 people. Bookings: Madame Vacances.