In the Alps we’re getting closer to the start of the ski season, in Laax, Cervinia, Saas Fee and Zermatt they’re wallowing in fresh snow. So don’t forget to grab yourself one of the early ski deals: you can still celebrate Christmas in the mountains, take an early December break, or opt for a quiet January week where you can be sure of uncrowded slopes.

To have a reasonable choice of where to stay, when to go and how to get there this winter, it makes sense to book as soon as you can. It’s not too late to search out bargain ski deals and, apart from the offers we’ve listed below, it’s also worth checking for offers on the websites of the major operators such as Crystal Ski, Inghams, Mark Warner, Neilson, and Ski World. It’s always worth having a look at what the ski specialist travel agencies – such as Sno, Snowfinders, Momentum Ski and Snow-Wise – have on offer at the moment.

And don’t forget to book your airport parking or meet and greet valet parking in advance.

Early Season Ski

Meribel for £725pp with Fish, Pips and Marmalade
Fish&Pips Chalets has teamed up with Marmalade ski school to offer an early-season sharpener on the slopes of Meribel. The new course is aimed at confident intermediate skiers looking to find their ski legs, develop technique and meet other like-minded people. The week starts December 6 and costs £725pp to include five days of intensive instruction, seven nights’ accommodation with gourmet cuisine, and resort transfers. Return flights from London to Geneva are available with easyJet from £51pp. More information from Fish&Pips.

Arc 1950 apartment from £574 with Pierre & Vacances
For those who want to stay at home for Christmas but still get a taste of festivities in France, Les Arcs kick starts celebrations from December 1, when the Christmas lights are switched on. Stay in the ski-in ski-out Premium Residence Arc 1950 Le Village. For the week before Christmas there’s a one-bedroom apartment for four people from £574 (saving 30%, down from £819) for seven nights accommodation arriving December 13. Those travelling for Christmas week (departing 20th December) can save 29% on a one-bedroom apartment for four people from £1,298 (down from £1,854) for seven nights. This also includes a free lift pass for children. For further information visit Pierre & Vacances.

St Anton from £399pp with Inghams
You can save £300pp when you book seven nights catered accommodation at the ski-in, ski-out Chalet Alpenheim in St Anton departing December 6. The new price from £399pp includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort transfers. For further information visit Inghams.

Alpe d’Huez from £135pp with Ski Collection
Stay at four-star L’Ours Blanc in Alpe d’Huez – it’s at the heart of the resort and close to lifts.
You can save 20% on seven nights self-catering including Eurotunnel crossings – the price is now from £135pp based on five people sharing on the week starting December 13. Book by November 26 to take advantage of the offer. Details from Ski Collection.

Christmas and New Year in the Alps

Alpe d’Huez for £425pp with Zenith Holidays
Chalet Hermione in Alpe d’Huez is now £425pp (was £625pp) with flights, transfers and catered board for the week starting December 20. The chalet sleeps up to 10 people. Alternatively, spend New Year at Chalet Leslie Alpen in Les Deux Alpes where the entire chalet is now £5,500 self-catering (was £6,950) – it sleeps 12 and has a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. The holiday price includes Eurotunnel crossings. If you’d rather have the chalet catered – this can be arranged for and extra £225pp. Further details from Zenith Holidays.

French chalets from £499pp with Ski Amis
There’s up to £250pp off catered chalets in La Tania, La Plagne, Les Menuires and Les Arcs – with prices from £499pp for the week starting December 20. There will be a traditional Christmas dinner, and the chalet have hot-tubs and great locations. More information from Ski Amis.

Christmas in France from £415pp with Alpine Elements
Book before December 3 and you’ll save a further £75pp off the week starting December 20. Included are flights, resort transfers, half-board accommodation, and a traditional Christmas dinner. Prices start at £415pp and the offer includes resorts such as Tignes, Meribel, Val d’Isere, La Plagne, Morzine, St Anton, La Tania and Les Arcs. Accommodation is in chalets and hotels. For more information go to Alpine Elements.

Val d’Isere from £1,750pp with Le Chardon Mountain Lodges
There’s a special Christmas offer at Le Chardon in Val d’Isere with bookings available on a room by room basis from £1,750pp based on two people sharing, which is almost unheard of over the holiday period. Further details from Le Chardon Mountain Lodges.

January Skiing

Courchevel luxury from £1,599pp with Supertravel Ski
Stay seven nights’ chalet-board at the fabulous flagship Chalet Montana (sleeps 10) from £1,599pp – that’s a saving of £322pp. The chalet enjoys a prime position right by the Bellecote piste above Courchevel 1850. Arriving January 11, the price includes a free Courchevel lift pass, private transfers from Geneva Airport, champagne reception on arrival, and chalet catering. Flights are at extra cost. To take advantage of the offer, book by November 30. More information from Supertravel Ski.

Les Coches from £395pp with Alpine365
There are some good deals in January across three catered chalets in Les Coches, one of the 11 villages that makes up La Plagne. Les Coches is where the Vanoise Express cable-car connects to Les Arcs, so it is ideally located to explore all 425km of Paradiski. The deals are valid until December 31 and is for seven nights’ accommodation based on sharing a room, departing on dates in January and fully catered. For example, stay at Chalet Epicea which sleeps 13, with a hot tub, professional chef, and a chauffeur-service to the slopes. On the week starting January 3 it is now £395pp (was £495pp), visit Alpine365 for details.

La Rosiere from £393pp with Erna Low
Save 10% on accommodation in La Rosiere, by staying seven nights at Les Cimes Blanches on a self-catered basis, including return flights from London to Geneva, including baggage, and private transfers from the airport to resort. The residence is in a convenient location at the foot of the slopes and has a heated indoor swimming-pool. The holiday price is now from £393pp based on six people sharing the apartment, and departs January 10. To take advantage of the offer, book before December 14. More details from Erna Low.

St Martin de Belleville chalet for £7,170 with The Alpine Club
Spend a week in great comfort in St Martin de Belleville, where there’s £200pp off holidays starting January 11, 18 and 25. Chalet Abode sleeps eight to ten people and can be booked by the room during adult-only shared holiday weeks. Chamois Lodge sleeps six and is reduced to £7,170. The price includes catered chalet accommodation, but excludes all travel. The offer expires on November 30. Visit The Alpine Club for details.

Les Gets from £1,059pp with VIP Ski
The third person in a group of three now receive a free place in Altitude Lodge, Les Gets on January 4 when sleeping in bunkbeds, saving £1,059pp. Altitude Lodge is set right on the piste in Les Gets, sleeps up to 29 people in comfort, with five family rooms with children’s bunks. For those who don’t have a third person to join, there’s still £150pp off, down from £1,209pp to £1,059pp. Prices for three people start from £2,118pp for seven nights chalet board. Price includes flights and transfers from Gatwick to Geneva. Visit VIP Ski for information.

Sainte Foy from £140pp with Peak Retreats
Spend a week at three-star Etoile des Cimes at the foot of the slopes in Sainte-Foy and you can save 25% on the accommodation price for self-catering including Eurotunnel crossings. The price is now from £140pp based on five people sharing for the week starting January 17. To take advantage of this offer, book by November 30 with Peak Retreats.

December and January family offers from £1,299 with Ski Famille
Lots of savings are now available during December and January. Prices from £1,299 for a family of four, including Gatwick-Geneva flights and resort transfers. In-chalet à la carte childcare is also available six days a week from £229. Visit Ski Famille for more details.

Flights to Lake Tahoe resorts From £400pp with Thomas Cook Airlines
There’s a new Gatwick to Reno route opening up this December with return prices from under £400pp. Transfers from Reno to both South Lake Tahoe and Northstar take about 75 minutes, providing a good route to the skiing at Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. They can be skied on a three-resort lift pass which is on sale until November 23 through EpicPass.com or from a tour operator to the area. Flight details are available from Thomas Cook.

Morzine short break from £350pp with AliKats Mountain Holidays
How about a four-day holiday in luxurious Chalet de l’Ange in Morzine for £350pp? The package includes three evening meals, lifts to and from the slopes each day, and use of the hot tub. The chalet was designed by a local architect and is both stylish and spacious. Prices for a short break start at £350pp chalet board for the four nights of March 15-19. Flights from Gatwick to Geneva start at £64pp with easyJet and transfers with Alpine Navigations can also be arranged. For more information go to AliKats.